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Aviation History
1933
1933 - 0897.PDF
Flight, November 2, 1933 AIRCRAFT ENGINEER AND AIRSHIPS First Aeronautical Weekly in the World. Founded January, 1909 Founder and Editor: STANLEY SPOONER A Journal devoted to the Interests, Practice and Progress of Aerial Locomotion and Transport OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE ROYAL AERO CLUB OF THE UNITED KINGDOM No. 1297. /Vol. XXV .> ^ No. 44. ) 25th Year. NOVEMBER 2, 1933 Weekly, Price 6d. Post Free, 7Jd. Abroad, 8d. Editorial Offices: 36, GREAT QUEEN STREET, KTNGSWAY, W.C.2 Telephone: (2 lines), Holborn 3211 and 1884. Telegrams : Truditur, Westcent, London Subscription Rates, Post Free. UNITED KINGDOM s. d. 3 Months .. 8 3 6 „ .. 16 6 12 „ .. 33 0 UNITED STATES 3 Months 6 12 $2-20 $4-40 $8-75 OTHER COUNTRIES s. d. 3 Months .. 8 9 6 „ .. 17 6 12 „ .. 35 0 CONTENTS Editorial Comment: Back to Paddles ? The Eyes of the Army Rohrbach Rotating Wing Aeroplane " Out of the Flying Pan ....«..." Air Transport: Commercial Aviation in China 1'rom the Clubs The " Fiesler 5 " Monoplane Airport News Airisms from the Four Winds Royal Aero Club Official Notices Pilots' Licences in Canada Correspondence Book Reviews A Reliable Model Aero Engine The Aden Command Army Co-Operation Royal Air Force Air Post Stamps PAGE 108S 1086 1087 1090 1091 1096 1100 1101 1102 1104 1105 1106 1107 1109 1110 1110 1111 1112 DIARY OF CURRENT AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS Club Secretaries and others desirous of announcing the dates of important fixtures are invited to send particulars for inclusion in this list:— 1933. 2. Air Command, Legion of Frontiersmen, Gen. Meet ing and Dinner at Hambone Club, Gt. Windmill St., W.C. 2. " The Practical Side of Motorless Flight.'' Lecture by S. Humphries before Imperial College Gliding Club, S. Kensington. 2. "Variable-Pitch Airscrew and Variable Gears," Lecture by W. G. Jennings before R Ae.S. 3. Norfolk and Norwich Aero Club Annual Ball, at Thatched Assembly Rooms, Norwich. 3. Northamptonshire Ae.C. Dance at George Hotel, Kettering. 15. Entries close for 1934 International Touring Com petition, Poland. Nov. 16. Herts and Essex Ae.C. Annual Dinner and Dance, Wharncllffe Rooms, Hotel Gt. Central, London. 16. "Stiffness of Aeroplane Wings." Lecture by H. Roxbee Cox before R.Ae.S. 24. Central Flying School " Coming of Age " Dinner, ,, at May Fair Hotel. Nov. 34. Yorkshire Ae.C. Annual Dance, Hotel Majestic, Harrogate. Nov. 25. Comrades of the RAJ?. Reunion Dinner, at Thames House Restaurant, Millbank, S.W.I. 30. " Tail Buffeting." Lecture by Dr. W.J.Duncan before R.Ae.S. 1. No. 3 Sqdn. R.F.C. and R.A.F. Reunion Dinner, at May Fair Hotel. 1. No. 70 Sqdn., R.A.F., Reunion Dinner, at R.A.F. Club, Piccadilly. 1. Lancashire Ae.C. Annual Ball, Midland Hotel, Manchester. 1 • Hampshire Ae.C. Annual Dinner and Dance, South Western Hotel, Southampton. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Dec. Dec. Dec, Dec. Back to Paddles ? EDITORIAL COMMENT 1STORY has a curious way of repeating itself, and we of the aviation world seem to be particularly singled out for demonstrating the fact. Although the early visions of human flight dwelt generally on some means of direct lift, and many years afterwards different forms of direct-lift machines were suggested, it was the indirect type of aircraft which first succeeded, and it is that type which has brought flying to its present state of development. Helicopters have been suggested, some have been built, a few have flown— after a fashion—but hitherto the direct- lift machine has made little headway. Senor de la Cierva had the inspiration, it is difficult to call it otherwise, to find the compromise between the helicopter and the aeroplane. Like the former, his Autogiro is supported by rotating blades, but it shares with the latter the indirect method of attack. An engine drives an airscrew and hereby gives the craft as a whole its forward speed, which is made use of to give lift on the rotating blades. The plain helicopter as once imagined, i.e., an aircraft in which the engine drives the rotating blades direct, can, we think, be said to have been quite definitely ruled out as a practical proposition. During the last few years there has been a con certed attack on the direct-lift problem along a dif ferent line of approach. Instead of the large pro peller, rotating in a horizontal plane, driven by an engine, the new direct-lift machine uses aerofoils made to rotate around a horizontal axis. In other words, an air analogy, in some degree, to the paddle wheel of earlier steamships. The problem has been attacked by slightly different methods in the United States, in France and in Germany. In all three countries extensive research and experiments have been carried out, and we believe we are right in saying that the conclusions reached as a result in all three countries was the same, namely, that there '" is something in it." The paddle wheel of the air, from theoretical considerations backed by model and full-scale tests, has definitely been found to be a practical proposition from an aerodynamic view point. Whether or not the mechanical difficulties B
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