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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0545.PDF
AUGUST 28, 1924 AIR MINISTRY NOTICES System for Reporting Cross-Channel Flights of Air craft not Equipped with W/T Apparatus IN future the following arrangements will be available for pilots of aircraft not equipped with W/T apparatus who wish to have their passage across the Channel reported by W/T :— ' (1) An aircraft leaving England must circle over Lympne aerodrome at a height of not more than 1,000 ft. ; one circuit will indicate a flight to Ostend, and two circuits a flight to St. Inglevert. The departure of an aircraft making this signal will be reported immediately to Ostend or St. Inglevert, as the case may be. (2) An aircraft on arriving over Ostend or St. Inglevert must circle once over the aerodrome at a height of not more than 1,000 ft. The arrival of an aircraft making this signal will be reported immediately to the Air Ministry, London. (3) In a similar way, an aircraft departing for England must circle once over the aerodrome at Ostend or St. Inglevert, and signal its arrival in the same way at Lympne. The departure of an aircraft making this signal will be reported immediately to Lympne, and its arrival at Lympne reported to the Air Ministry. (4) An aircraft, signalling in the manner indicated its departure from either side of the Channel, which is not reported as having arrived on the other side within one hour after departure will be treated by the Air Ministry as missing, and steps taken to warn all shipping and to put in train such other action as may be possible to carry out a search and to effect a rescue. (5) It is of the utmost importance that any pilot who decides to avail himself of these arrangements shall, after signalling his departure at one of the three aerodromes named above, also signal his arrival on the other side of the Channel. (No. 76 of 1924.) 0 E H 0 FINE FEATHERS MAKE FINE 'PLANES WE show in the accompanying illustrations a few examples of some excellent model aeroplanes—excellent both as regards appearances and flying qualities. These " Feather 'Planes," as they are called, are made by Mr. Ralph N. Bullock, of Forest Hall, Northumberland, and, as their name implies, the wings and tail surfaces are constructed of natural feathers. These feathers have to be very carefully selected—and out of a large number of feathers comparatively few are found to be suitable. Suitable feathers are thoroughlv steamed and cleaned, paired and trimmed to shape. Thcv are then mounted in small metal fittings which clip on to the wood backbone or fuselage in the case of the main planes, or as regards the tail surfaces, portions of the feathers are illustrate), which has a span of about 10\ ins., while the other models range from 12 ins. to 18 ins span. As regards their performance, the following are the average characteristics of the different types :- Type. Speed Monoplane . . Biplane Standard Monoplane Biplane. . Slow-fiying Monoplane Baby Biplane Weight. Max. Speed. Duration ox. 18-3m.p.h. Ssecs. 16-1 ,, & -& -k 7-7 8-3 6-6 3-2 in 25 2o Most of these models make excellent r.o.g. fli they can also be made to loop, bank, and roll. ;hts, while Although SOME EXAMPLES (3) The " Baby OF "FEATHER PLANES " :—-(1) A Standard Monoplane. (2) A Standard Biplane. ' Biplane. (4) The High-speed Biplane, and 5) the same dismantled for transport. cut to the required shape and pinned to the end of the fuselage. The propellers, which are carefully cambered, steamed and balanced, are supported in a very neat detachable mounting which fits on to the forward end of the fuselage. The landing gear, when fitted, consists of two fibre wheels mounted on a thin steel wire chassis, ingeniously hinged to the fuselage so as to fold out of the way when not in use. Various types of "Feather 'Planes" are made, both monoplane and biplane, high speed and low speed. They also vary considerably in size--the smallest one we had the pleasure of seeing make an excellent r.o.g. flight being 3 ins. span, 2 ins. in length, and having a feather propeller lh\. diameter. The next size is the Baby Biplane (which we they naturally require somewhat delicate handling and a little practice to get the best results, they are nevertheless extraordinarily " robust," and we can say from personal knowledge that having once got the knack of handling them, some reallv excellent flying can be obtained with the different types. With one of the larger monoplanes Mr. Bullock has made over 1,500 flights of approximately 100 yds. each (about 80 miles !) during a period of'about 18 months, and the only replacements made have been new rubber for the motor. One of these " Feather "Planes," weighing only f oz., put up an excellent performance at the recent .S.M.A.E. competition lor the Gamage Challenge Cup—when it accom plished a duration of 77| sees. 545
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