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Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0253.PDF
MARCH 23, 1916, ALL communications in connection with this section should be addressed to the Model Editor, " PLIGHT," 44, St. Martin's Lane, London, W.C. Correspondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only. A <;B.E."Type THE accompanying photo, is to hand from Mr. A. Terry Davis, who says:— " I enclose herewith a photo, of a B.E. type model aeroplane I have constructed. The span of planes is 19 ins. The planes and tail are constructed ol three-ply wood, the camber being obtained by planing, and then the spaces between ribs and spars cut out with a fret saw and the whole covered with tracing cloth (NOT paper), Model aeroplane B.E. type, built by Mr. A. Terry Davis coloured and varnished, and makes a good job, and when the fabric is stuck on is quite rigid and strong. I thought it might interest some of your readers, particularly those constructing small models." Scale Models v. Flying Sticks. From Mr. Kingsley W. G. Pinney, whose excellent models have often been illustrated in these columns, we have received the following :— " The articles in recent issues by ' Scale Model' and Mr. Balden are very interesting, and should preatly encourage those at present on scale work, and should also influence those about to take up this study. " I do not quite agree with ' Scale Model' when he says it would be best to set beginners on scale work at the start. To my mind this seems too big a jump, and the resulting disappointments would thin the ranks of the workers to a minimum. On the other hand, it would be far worse to start them with flying sticks as Mr. Balden suggests. It is well known that many of the pioneers of aviation started their experiments with gliders. Therefore, why should not the beginner commence his studies by gaining a wide knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of the dihedral angle, negative wing- tips, &c, by thorough and scientific study of the paper glider? If, however, the beginner finds it inconsistent with his dignity to stand on a chair and glide small paper models, surely the cause of model aviation will not be seriously troubled if he discontinues his efforts, owing to the fact that his first scale model fails to fly. " In the model pages of ' FLIGHT ' during the last six months I have noticed a great many photos, of scale models, all nicely made, and no doubt correct in minute detail, but not made to fly. These models, although they are very useful for exhibition purposes, are not doing much for scale model flying. It seems a great pity, therefore, that so much time and trouble should be expended on a model, which is very nice to look at yet is of no practical use. " Before leaving this fascinating question 1 have a suggestion to ® ® Fatal Accidents. IT is with great regret that we have to record the fatal accident to Flight-Lieuts. Johnstone and Baumont, while flying on the east coast of Scotland on the 17th inst. Their biplane fell from a height of 100 feet, killing both occupants. A fatal accident occurred on the same day at Hendon, Mr. John Ritchie Laidlaw, a pupil from New Zealand, apparently banking too steeply, resulting in his machine side-slipping from a height of make to the Model Editor. Could he not see his way clear to publish articles which would be of great help to the scale modellist, such as a method of finding the correct position for the main plane of a tractor model, otherwise than by actual flying test, and other similar subjects which no doubt puzzle others besides myself ? " ' Scale Model' has been go~>d enough to suggest that I should give some information of the flying tests of my tractor biplane de scribed in the issue of February 10th. This model has been out once, and a few moderate flights were obtained of about 10 seconds. These humble results were enough to show me that far more rubber will have to be fitted, and also that the tail area needs in creasing. Although the model had several nasty landings on the wing tips, no damage was caused, probably owing to the all-steel construction of the wings. This also shows that a model, having some pretensions to scale outlines, can withstand hard knocks almost a; well as a flying stick, provided that the construction is carefully attended to." An Instructive Glider. In sending the attached drawing and description of a paper glider, Mr. Geo. H. Roberts says that he always makes such models to scale, and he finds that their great advantage is that they give the maximum, tuition at a minimum expenditure :— "The necessary materials are: Cartridge paper, florist's wire, and split cane. Maik out the shape of the body on the paper twice, cut out, and glue to the cane framework, as sketch. This is made from very thin cane or wood, to be obtained from Japanese ware, and cemented together with seccotine. The planes are also cut out from the cartridge paper, and strengthened by the addition of two spars of cane on the under side of the top plane and the upper tide of the lower plane. The tail is also cut from the paper, and the fins are placed in position between the two halves of the body. To ««»c skid fix spars. planes, securely seccotine the two body supports to the wing rs. Make the struts from florist's wire twisted together, using two or three lengths according to site of glider. To fix, push the two loose ends of strut through the plane, one on each side of spar, and twist together at the top ; repeat for lower plane. The landing gear is made of V-shaped 'skids'and glued on each side of the body. The wheels can be made of thin card, and the axle of wire; also the back skid. The weight may be made of wax or plasticine ; the latter, I find, much neater and workable." ® ® 250 feet. He was fatally injured, and at the inquest on Tueiday a verdict of " Accidental Death " was returned. At the inquest on Mr. Matthew Muir, who was killed near Ilford, while flying with his ton, Lieut. Kirkpatrick Muir, as recorded in our last nsue, an R.F.C. corporal said that at a height of 400 feet the pilot appeared to have stalled his machine, which side-slipped and then nose-dived. It might have been an error of judgment, or it was possible the pilot was temporarily overccme by faintnrts. A verdict of " Accidental Death " was returned.
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