FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1923
1923 - 0265.PDF
MAY 17, 1923 LIGHT PLANE AND GLIDER NOTES 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. IT is rather amusing to see the Daily Mail advertising for a name for light aeroplanes to take the place of " motor- glider," and some of the suggestions sent in are—well, enough said. When we protested against the word " motor-glider " we hardly expected to be proved correct so quickly. However) the confusion over Barbot's flight demonstrated the unsuita- bility of " motor-glider," and now the way seems open to a good name for the latest type of aeroplane. Whether the word light 'plane or some other equally descriptive name is chosen does not really much matter, but it seems to us that light 'plane is as good as anything. • * • THAT was a most successful meeting at the Institution of Aeronautical Engineers on Friday last. Not only was the paper read by Maj. Wright a very interesting one, but the discussion proved very illuminating also, not to mention the " unofficial " discussion that followed the discussion. Perhaps this was, on the whole, the most interesting part of all. One met a lot of people who had seriously gone into the subject of the light 'plane, and from conversations that took place and views exchanged it would appear that there is a general consensus of opinion that, whatever may be the future of the light 'plane as a commercial proposition, from the scientific and sporting points of view it will be well worth developing. • * * THE greater portion of Maj. Wright's paper is published elsewhere in this issue, as is also a report of the discussion, but perhaps a few items of news, which did not emerge front the latter, may be of interest. * * * WE were informed that Capt. Savers has designed two light 'planes for the forthcoming competitions. It is gathered that these are much on the same lines as the Sayers-Courtncy- Wright glider of last year. The machines are being built by Handley Page, Ltd., and we understand that they are to be fitted with slotted ailerons of the Handley Page type. On the " Hanley " these ailerons have proved most effective, so that there is justification for hoping that they will be equally effective on a light 'plane. * * * AVRO'S are almost certainly building a machine for the competitions, and one gathered that Mr. Chad wick, after going into the subject very carefully, is rather in favour of the biplane, as giving a lighter structure, smaller overall dimensions, a narrow wing chord with small travel of the c.p. and other similar advantages. Others seemed to accept the clean cantilever monoplane as the right solution, and as there is a good deal to be said for both sides, we may hope to see quite a diversity of types at the competitions. * * * MAJ. O. T. GNOSSPELIHS, who is one of the pioneers ofBritish aviation, has designed a monoplane to take a Black- burne 700 c.c. engine. This machine is nearing completion at the works of Short Brothers at Rochester, and incorporates a number of unusual features. It is Hoped to give a detailed description of this machine in a forthcoming issue of FLIGHT This machine was designed before the prizes were announced, but will almost certainly take part in the competitions. THE LIMIT " : This sketch-design, by Mr. James V.Martin, shows the head resistance of a light 'plane cut down to a minimum by making the fuselage of justsufficient proportions to enable the pilot to lie stretched out inside. The undercarriage folds up into the fuselage. THE PASSAT GLIDER : One of these views shows the glider with wings folded ready for transport. •Mr.^:;, ..'• *
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
