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Aviation History
1917
1917 - 0038.PDF
I/OGHT JANUARY II, 1917. has been fully inflated for 18 days. There was no need to throw out the ballast except to modify the descent. In fact, only 85 kilogs. of ballast was carried. AMERICAN AERO CLUB'S EXHIBITION. V By the American Aero Club's section of the A.A.C/s New York Show last month the universal interest in aeronautics is well illustrated. Interest, however, chiefly cefctred in the 4-cylinder 4-stroke water-cooled engine built by Messrs. Orville and Wilbur Wright, of Dayton, Ohio, for use with their aeroplane. This motor has cylinders of cast iron, with a bore of 4^ and a 4-in. stroke. The engine weighs complete 160 lbs. The cylinders are mounted in an aluminium crank- case and jacketed with sheet aluminium. The inlet-valves are automatic, and both valves are situated in the heads of each cylinder. Low-tension ignition is employed with a timing device, and the connecting-rods are made of hollow steel tubing, while the flywheel, which is not very heavy, is solid throughout. In spite of the fact that the engine looks V rather heavy, it only weighs 5 lbs. to the horse-power. , « CAPTAIN FERBER'S PROJECTS. '•.;.""... Capt. Ferber, of the French Artillery, who is well known as one of the most scientific experimenters in aeronautics - on the Continent, and who is understood to have accom- plished free flight with a gliding aeroplane, has obtained leave ' from the French military authorities for the special purpose of carrying his experiments further. . • '.. [As a number of letters have reached us lately which were signed with initials only, and some of which did not give a complete address, we should like to point out that such com- munications cannot be dealt with in our columns. Full name and address should always be given, and will not be pub- lished.—ED.] T. P. (Westminster). The weight of the 128 h.p. Mercedes engine is approximately 600 lbs. without the radiator. As to the propeller fitted on the machine you mention, we have no information, but should estimate the weight at something like 34 lbs. Flight-Sergeant F. J. S. (K.F.C.). The word " empennage " literally means feathering, and is used in relation to aeroplanes to indicate the tail surfaces. Empenner, of which empennage is the noun, means to feather an object, such as, for instance, an arrow, to give it directional stability. The term can, we think, be used for all types of tail planes, although probably it would not be strictly correct as applied to a " lifting " tail. The construction of a wind tunnel, even in a comparatively small size, would be a somewhat costly undertaking, and as we gather you do not so much require a tunnel in which the forces on various bodies can be measured, as one in which the flow of a fluid around the bodies can be seen we should think that a small water channel would be more suitable for your purpose. At the N.P.L. channels of this type are used for photographing the flow of water around different bodies. As you only want a channel for the visual study of flow, a less elaborate arrangement would probably be sufficient. The small N.P.L. water channel consists, briefly speaking, of a trough 3 ins. wide, 4 ins. deep and about 10 ft. in length, provided with glass windows near the outlet end. The supply is taken from a large tank fitted with a ball valve to maintain a constant head of water. From this tank the water runs into a square box at the inlet end^f the channel, the box being fitted with baffle plates so «K to act as a " steadier " to the water passing into the channel. The water leaves the channel by a weir, over which it flows into a box fitted with an outlet pipe. By introducing some colour- ing matter, such as red ink, in frout of the model, the flow around the model can be easily seen. If you arc interested in air channels you should apply to the custodians of the South Kensington Museum, who would, we feel sure, show you the small channel at that Museum. N. E. (North Shields). Write to Major Mitchell, The Polytechnic, Regent Street, London, W., for the R.F.C., or to the Wireless Officer, Talbot Works, Barlby Road, Kensington, W., for the R.N.A.S. It is possible to join the R.F.C. Cadet Corps as a civilian, and you can get particulars regarding this from Adastral Houst, E.C. H. A. (HighWycombe). • .:.r.- ' There is no cadet corps for the R.N.A.S., but if you are accepted for a commission you will be entered as a proba- tionary flight officer and sent to a school for training. A. B. (Leeds). It is difficult to advise, as you do not say what age the boy is. He had probably better remain where he is for the present, as if he came to London he would hardly be able to get a better position unless he is exceptionally skilled. A. B. (Kingston). The R.F.C. is divided into Flights, Squadrons and Wings. You do not need to be a mathematician to become a pilot. The best book on engines is Burl's " Aero Engines," which can be had from " FLIGHT " offices for 8s. lod. post free. A good book for studying the principles of flight is " The Aeroplane," by Hubbard and Ledeboer, which costs 3s. R. T. P. (Parkstone). You should apply to the Chief Inspector, Aeronautical Inspection Department, Adastral House, London, E.C. The training depends upon the work you would be required for, and the salary upon the grade you are placed in. G. S. (Clapton). For full particulars of the R.F.C. Cadets' Battalion, you should apply to the headquarters, Adastral House, London, E.C. W. N. (Hove). You are only entitled to the Royal Aero Club certificate if you have carried out the three following tests, in the presence of an official observer : Two flights of at least 5 kilometres (3 miles 185 yards) over a course marked out by posts 500 metres (547 yards) apart, the turns to be made alter- nately to the right and left so that the flight will be a series of figure 8s. One altitude flight, during which a height of at least 100 metres (328 ft.) above the starting point must be attained, the descent to be made with the motor cut off and in full view of the observed. In the first two nights the machine must be brought to rest not more than 50 metres (164 ft.) from a point previously indicated by the pilot. A. W. N. E. (Abergavenny). If you are accepted for a commission in the R.N.A.S., the Admiralty will arrange for your training. The minimum age for a commission is 18. , L. H. (Bristol). " ' The address of the R.N.A.S. recruiting office is Brook Green, Hammersmith. Shall be very pleased to receive the photos. A. E. D. J. (Edmonton). Your best course would be to apply to Major Mitchell, The Polytechnic, Regent Street, London, W., giving full particulars of your experience, and enquiring as to whether there are any vacancies. "Sandy" (Glasgow). ' "• Probationary Flight Officers wear the uniform of Midship- man, R.N., except that the white turn-back, button and button-hole on the collar are not worn, and the anchor on buttons and cap badge is replaced by an eagle. An eagle is also worn on the left sleeve, ..... .-,'•• A. V. (B.E.F.). Both the Fokker and Albatros firms build biplanes and monoplanes. The Fokker which caused so much stir some months ago was a monoplane. Most of the Albatros machines in use by the German Army are biplanes'. W. S. (Barrow). '-"-'''•''*•' - • It is not clear what is meant by " ordinary flying man." If you wish to join as a mechanic you should write to Major Mitchell, The Polytechnic, Regent Street, W. ; while, if yon wish to obtain a commission, the necessary form can^be obtained from the R.F.C. Headquarters, Adastral House, London, E.C. H. L. G. (Bedford). Send details of the invention to the Inventions Bureau, Ministry of Munitions, Prince's Gate, Westminster, S.W. \
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