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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0072.PDF
CORRESPONDENCE [The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. The names and addresses of the writers, not necessarily for publication, must in all cases accompany letters intended for insertion in these columns. THE CASE FOR THE CANTILEVER WING [2168] In your current issue (January 12) I note with interest a description of a new Koolhoven (F.K. 30) light monoplane, and, in particular, the^feature of the " turntable " mounting for the cantilever wing, a novelty^ which your article stresses as " remarkable." What is perhaps still more remarkable is the fact that this idea has lain dormant in^design practice for so long, since its introduction would have given practical impetus to the case for the cantilever principle on commercial aircraft and small shipboard fighters, as well as light 'planes, by allowing the cantilever mono, to compete on level terms with the folding-wing biplane. The writer is especially interested in the practical evolution of this scheme, as he proposed and illustrated this turntable device on several designs presented in a paper to the student body of the Royal Aeronautical Society (Pilcher Prize Essay, 1921-22). One of these designs was a small cantilever mono- plane with 200 h.p. radial engine, carrying pilot and four passengers, the specification being similar, in fact, to many of the present American " feeder " transport machines. It is hoped to treat this subject more fully at a later date, when the attractive simplicity of the turntable arrangement will be apparent from the drawings. It is questionable whether the folding-wing biplane can offer such structural simplicity (with its bearing on first cost and upkeep) and aerodynamic cleanness. Another feature of the suggested design which may be worth recalling now—reviewing perhaps at a later stage— was an automatic rear camber flap, adding less than 20 lbs. to the normal aileron controls. The writer actually filed provisional patents for these ideas, but after polite rejection on the part of several English firms, later abandoned them and proceeded to Holland. It would be ^unfair to conclude without reference to an earlier series of articles in FLIGHT (March 11, 18 and 25, 1920) on " The Case for the Cantilever Wing," under the pen-name of " Marco Polo," a pseudonym which older readers of the paper will probably penetrate. The designs there submitted (1920), while not incorporating the actual " turntable " principle, introduced a swivelling parasol wing, which may rightly be accepted as the forerunner or " germ " of the later idea, and the present writer, at any rate, wishes unreservedly to acknowledge his indebtedness to " Marco Polo " for his early thoughts along these lines. The practice of " poaching " other men's ideas without acknowledging their original source is apparently as popular in the aircraft industry as in every other sphere of human endeavour, but while in the universal field of science the only thing that finally matters is the work and not the man, at the same time in the interest of common justice, it is proper to award priority where such is rightly due. " WING TIPS " A BRITISH GLIDING TEAM FOR GERMANY [2169] It is proposed to enter a British team at the German gliding meeting to be held next August in the Rhon Mountains, near Frankfurt. As this meeting is open to machines and members of all nationalities, it is felt that Great Britain should be represented. The organization of such a team must, of course, depend on the support which is forthcoming, and I shall be glad if any reader who is interested will write to me and say in what way help will be given. Supporters may take part in gliding practices, and will, if chosen, go to Germany as a representative of Great Britain. Supporters may make financial contributions to the venture even if they do not wish to take part in the actual gliding. The proposals are these : (1) That everyone wishing to take part in glider practices shall subscribe, say, £5 by way of entrance fee to cover pre- liminary and general expenes. (2) When sufficient names have been obtained, a general meeting will be held to select a machine, and a site for gliding. When sufficient funds have been collected a machine will be purchased, and gliding will commence. (3) That gliding practice be held near Harrogate, where I can personally supervise the training and ground arrange- ments. In this connection, of course, the members may rule otherwise at the general meeting. From the training prac- tices four or six pilots will be selected to represent this country in the competition. JANUARY 26, 1928 (4) Except for the initial entrance fee, members should not be put to any expense other than their own transport and hotel fees either in England or in Germany. At the gliding meeting held^in Germany last year a great desire was expressed that a British team should come to the next competition—a French team was there last year. 1 sincerely hope that support will be forthcoming, and that we^shall be able to send a team which will add fresh credit to British prestige in the field of gliding. E. DE BUSBY, Lieut. Ashville College, Harrogate. THE BERMUDA AIR SAFETY COMPETITION [2170] We have been asked by Maj. Hemming, of the Aircraft Operating Co., Ltd., to draw our readers' attention to the following extract from a letter he has received from Mr. J. P. Hand (Chairman of the Bermuda Trade Develop- ment Board) regarding the Bermuda Air Safety Competition between the colony and New York, which opens from Feb- ruary 1 to August 1 :— " A number of us here are most keen to secure a British entry, and, having regard to the expense of getting a 'plane to America, I feel sure that I could raise a sufficient amount locally to assist in this connection. " I have in mind at the moment raising £1,000 to add to the £2,000 offered by the Bermuda Government, in the event of the contest being won by a British entrant. " I would appreciate tremendously your interesting your- self in this matter, as I feel that British prestige in this part of the world is at stake, and anything that I can do locally to induce one of your good airmen to enter in this contest will be done." Maj. Hemming adds that he can assure any prospective entrant that he will receive a very hearty welcome in Bermuda. m m m m NEW COMPANY REGISTERED LANCASHIRE SCHOOL OF AVIATION, LTD., 8, Beach Street, Lytham,Lanes.—Capital £2,500, in £\ shares. Objects to establish and carry on a school of aviation. H. G. Clerk, managing director and secretary. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED Calendar, 1928. The Palmer Tyre, Ltd., 100-106, Cannon Street, London, E.G. 4. A Manual of Flight-Test Procedure. By W. F. Gerhardt. Engineering Research Bulletin, No. 9. December, 1927. Department of Engineering Research, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A. JK m m m AERONAUTICAL PATENT SPECIFICATIONS (Abbreviations : Cyl. = cylinder ; i.e. = internal combustion ; m. = motor. The numbers in brackets are those under which the Specifications will be printed and abridged, etc.) APPLIED FOR IN 1926 Published January 26, 1928 2U,861a. KUDEBERG AND Co. Screw propeller. (282.S47.)24,284. A. E. and H. O. SHORT. Amphibious landing-gear. (282,897.) 24,319. H. E. S. HOLT. Parachute harness. (282,900.) 26,051. S. CAUM and H. G. HAWKER ENGINEERING CO., LTD. Controlmechanism for aircraft. (282,926.) 32,796. F. FORMANEK. L. ZEMAN and E. ZEMAN. Aircraft. (263,839.) APPLIED FOR IN 1927 Published January 26, 1928 226. C. H. KAIN. Revolving-cylinder i.e. engine. (282,983.) 7 895. S. CAMM and H. G. HAWKER ENGINEERING CO., LTD. Shock-absorber. (283,017.) 7,896. F. I. BENNETT and F. G. HAWKER ENGINEERING CO.. LTD. Enginemountings. (283,018.) 9,645 S. CAMM and H. G. HAWKER ENGINEERING CO., LTD. Aeroplanes.(283,026.) 16,477. F. I. BENNETT and H. G. HAWKER ENGINEERING CO., LTD. Hoisting-apparatus. (283,071.) 17,575. Soc. ANON, DES ONDES DIRIGEES. Radio direction-finding, range-fkidiug, and similar observations. (273,754.) FLIGHT, The Aircraft Engineer and Airships 36, GREAT QUEEN STREET, KINGSWAY, W.C.2. Telephone: Gerrard 1828. Telegraphic address : Truditur, Westcent, London. "FLIGHT" SUBSCRIPTION RATES. UNITED KINGDOM \ ABROAD*s. d. 3 Months, Post Free.. 7 7 6 „ „ ..15 2 12 , 30 4 s. d. 3 Months, Post Free .. 8 3 6 16 6 12 ,. „ ..33 0* Foreign subscriptions must be remitted in British currency. 60
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