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Aviation History
1922
1922 - 0639.PDF
NOVEMBER 2, 1922 GLIDING, SOARING AND AIR-SAILING Those wishing to get in touch with others interested in matters relating to gliding and the construction of gliders are invited to write to the Editor of FLIGHT, who will be pleased to publish such communications on this page, in order to bring together those who would like to co-operate, either in forming gliding clubs or in private collaboration. M. MANEYROL, winner of the Daily Mail Gliding Competition, was the guest of honour at a reception given at the Sorbonne, on October 26, by the French Aerial Association. M. Laurent Eynac, Secretary of State for Air, presided at the reception. An assembly of nearly 2,000 applauded the speeches by M. Eynac, Col. Quinton, etc. Later it is announced that M. Laurent Eynac has recommended M. Maneyrol for the Cross of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. OUR unique photograph on this page shows the wings of the de Havilland glider breaking just after the starting ropes dropped off. The centre section remained intact, and may have contributed to a certain extent in breaking the fall of the machine. Capt. de Havilland points out that the wing structure of this glider had a factor of safety of 8 when rigidly braced for ailerons. There is little doubt that the wing structure was far too flexible for warp control, and the fact of fitting it could only be justified by the natural desire to obtain better lateral control in the very limited time available. The original ailerons were found to be rather ineffective, and this may also have t>een due to too great flexibility in the wing, which allowed the wing to twist under the load imposed by the aileron, thus destroying the effect by twisting the wing into a smaller angle, with a reduction in lift coefficient. * * * THE Sayers glider failed to come up to expectations at Itford, but when certain alterations have been made to the controls it is expected to be thoroughly tested out. From the way it floated off the ground there is little doubt that if the controllability can be improved the machine will glide well in fairly light airs. * * * MUCH the same applies to the Aircraft Disposal Co.'s monoplane, which appeared to float about like a parachute, and which evidently required very little wind to keep it up. damaged but still cheerful, incidents from these races. Our photographs show various ALTHOUGH visitors to Itford did not get an opportunity of seeing a great deal of the wing-flapping, pedal-driven, direct- lift machines, one or two provided a few moments' amuse ment. 'One was a little monoplane built on to an ordinary push bicycle. The designer tried once or twice near the foot of the hill, but being unable to get up sufficient speed, he had the machine taken some distance up the slope. Several R.A.F. airmen gave him a gentle push, and as the machine gathered speed it struck a rut, which sent it up in the air to a height of about 1 ft. and allowed it to make a " glide " of about 6 or 8 ft. In the landing a man was knocked over by a wing tip, but otherwise no untoward incident happened. * * * ANOTHER weird contraption became known as " the Bride," owing to its trailing tail, which had to be held up by " pages." So far as we could ascertain this machine was never tested, GORDON ENGLAND'S little monoplane must be of very sturdy construction, in spite of its light weight (100 lbs.). Although it struck nose first at a fairly high speed, the only damage actually caused by the crash was to the front portion of the fuselage. As far as could be ascertained the machine only required a new nose to be as good as new. The wings appeared to be as sound as ever after the crash. * * * " THE lighter side of gliding" was not entirely neglected at the Itford competition. Officials and competitors were able to enjoy, while waiting for the weather to improve, team races between two of the Palmer wheel trucks used for hauling gliders up to the top of the hills. One race ended in a bad "landing," with several of the crew somewhat The D.H. glider "finishing." but its constructor probably had ar good deal of fun in building it. That readers should not miss it, we publish a photograph in this issue. * * » FROM Germany it is reported that Herr Hentzen recently made an attempt to beat Maneyrol's duration record. He succeeded, however, only in remaining up for about 40 minutes, owing, it is stated, to unfavourable weather conditions. * * * WE learn that Mr. G. H. Handasyde and Mr. Sydney Camm are busily at work re-designing the Handasyde glider. A COUPLE OF NON-STARTERS AT THE GLIDING COMPETITION : On the left the "Bride," so-called from the large flexible trailing tail, which had to be carried by " pages." On the right, a bicycle fitted with wings. This machine made one " flight " of about 8 feet, at an altitude of 18 inches.
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