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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0766.PDF
[7y55f] The suggested scheme sounds fascinating, but one or two " nigger" problems rise into prominence without much effort, the solution of which should prove interest ing. Perhaps the author will open out a little and volunteer a few more details as to why and how. XXX I have in front of me an interesting little booklet by Mr.O. W. Thomas, of the Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Co., U.S.A., entitled " Instructions in Aviation for Beginners," and from the pages of which I have extracted much interesting information. Although, as the title implies, the contents are of an elementary nature, the would-be aviator may gain from a perusal of its pages a very fair insight into the theoretical as well as the practical side of flying. The matter contained between the two grey covers of the booklet strikes one as being both quanti- tively and qualitively just sufficient to arouse the reader's thirst for more information on the fascinating subject of aviation, and at the same time it furnishes by its lucid explanations of the fundamental principles of mechanical flight a basis for further study. In the intro duction the author compares the relative risks of motoring in its various forms, fast motor boating, and flying, and he comes to the conclusion that for travelling at high speeds the aeroplane is by no means more risky than the other forms of locomotion, rather the reverse. XXX The opening chapter deals in a very clear and concise manner with the essential parts of an aeroplane, their functions, and the stresses to which they are subjected. In the chapter on inspection of the various parts is found a useful list of questions a pilot should ask him self before starting on a flight. Next comes a brief description of what a pupil has to practise during his training, followed by a chapter on the fundamental laws that govern flying. A chapter on air structure gives the prospective aviator an idea of the peculiarities of the element in which he is to disport himself, and the chief difficulties of cross-country flying are enumerated under a special heading, whilst some useful tables are given of corrections for drift, radii of vision, radii of glides, and OCTOBER 8, 1915. altitude and barometer reading. Perhaps the portion of the booklet that will prove most useful to the beginner in practical flying is that which deals with accidents, their cause and prevention. The most frequent " tight corners" into which every aviator gets sooner or later are enumerated, and some very sound words of advice are given as to the best methods of getting out of them. Those of our readers who are really interested may obtain a copy of this useful booklet by writing to Mr. O. W. Thomas, " The Croft," Denbridge Road, Bickley, Kent. Don't miss it. xxx When down Hoi born way the other day I popped in to have a chat with Mr. D'Olley Beningfield and his co worker Mr. C.' P. Walker, just to see how they were getting on with that new machine of theirs. I found Mr. Walker busy at his drawing table getting out the last few detail drawings for the new 'bus, while Mr. Beningfield gave me a practical demonstration of how to be happy though sticky, by greeting me with a smile on his face and glue on his fingers, through putting the finishing touches to a scale model of the B. & W. machine. Judging from the model and the general arrangement drawings of the B. and W., the sponsors have succeeded in designing an aeroplane full of originality and yet not freakish, and if South Africa does not look smart there is a possibility that she will lose her chance of financing the first original South African-designed fighting biplane, as I understand several enquiries have been received already. An interesting model for demonstration purposes of Mr. Walker's transmission gear gives a very clear idea of the principle on which it works, and if, as Mr. Walker assures me, sufficiently strong and yet not exorbitantly heavy clutches can be constructed for a full-size machine, this gear should prove very useful to any designers of twin engine 'buses, who are in doubt about the form of transmission to employ. XXX A few particulars are now to hand of Audemars' recent attempt on the world's altitude record. Starting from Issy-les-Moulineaux on a Morane-Parasol monoplane, 80 h.p. Le Rhone engine, he quickly disappeared from LANDING.—The 160 h.p. model R.2 Curtlss military tractor, which on its official test flight attained a speed of 90 m.p.h„ and climbed to 8,200 feet in 26 minutes, with a load of 1,030 lbs., made up of four men, 4 hours' supply of petrol and oil, and sand to represent weight of bombs. 766
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