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Aviation History
1938
1938 - 0605.PDF
r MARCH, 3, 1938. FLIGHT. 213 By M. R. KNIGHT MODELS beforecovering. The construction ofthe machine is described on thispage. Built for Strength ''THE illustration depicts a A balsa practice modelbuilt by the writer. As the small size of the averagelying-ground makes long flight duration of dubious value, em-phasis has been placed on strength. Even so, Henna sped beyond theconfines of Primrose Hill, and full-powei tests had perforce to be conducted elsewhere. A 4ft. take-off, 80ft. altitude, and 57 sec. duration have been achieved underindifferent weather conditions. Robust birch and steel wire construction would have givensimilar results, but the use of balsa forms a convenient step to the produc-tion of modern high-performance types. The fuselage sides are cut from^in. balsa sheet, thus securing— ' and retaining— accurate trim, aswing, tail and thrust set- tings are built in. Thesides cannot be split from end to end by a burstmotor, as the grain runs vertically, an idea forwhich I am indebted to Mr. C. A. Rippon. Light . : "-•:•;/'.''"„.:. 'longerons are cemented '.'. V , to the sides, and assembly is completed with three balsa bulkheads, lateralcross-pieces, and a stringer for the top decking. As Imperial Airways are to use the design,should plans materialise for a model flying club amongst their personnel, the wing, tail-plane andfin shapes have been taken from the Short Empire boat. Two 12m. wing panels plug into a 2in. centre-section bymeans of birch dowels, and the assembly is flexibly coupled to hooks on the fuselage. The chord tapers from 4§in. to1 Jin., the sweep-back of the leading edge being twice the for- ward sweep of the trailing edge. There are 9 degrees ofdihedral. The perfectly flat lower surface facilitates the avoid- ance of warps during construction, and the detection of anythat subsequently develop. Bamboo pegs in the fin base plug into celluloid tubes in thenon-lifting tail-plane, which is flexibly coupled to the fuselage. The tailplane is 11 in. in span, and tapers in chord from 3jin.to 2|in. The fin is 4m. high, and 2^in. to 3|in. in width. Bamboo struts, sprung with short curved pieces of 20-gaugewire, form the detachable undercarriage. A free-wheeling air- screw, ioin. in diameter and 14m. in pitch, is turned by a24m. four- or six-strand skein of ^in. rubber, plaited in tension. Wng, tail unit, and the top and bottom of the fuselage arecovered with Jap tissue, and these components, together with the fuselage sides and airscrew, are proofed with banana oil. Two S.M.A.E. High-spots CL'BSTANTIAL progress and expansion were the keynotes of reports given at the well-attended annual general meeting of the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers, which marked the conclusion of the second year under the reformed con- ^ution. At the time of re-organisation there were 14 affiliated clubs, now there were 53, and numerous applications were pending. In- two years a large financial deficit had been transformed into a substantial balance. Some idea of the mag- nitude of the Society's activities may be gathered from the fact that during 1937 the hon. secretary had written approximately 000 letters, just double the number writen in 1936. Among points in the secretary's report was the fact that nandsome trophies had been donated by Mrs. A. P. Thurston,u Pt. L. F. Plugge, M.P., Capt. C. E. Bowden, the Air League, and International Model Aircraft, Ltd.l he following officers were unanimously re-elected: Presi-ae nt Dr. A. P. Thurston; vice-presidents,' the Duke of Rich- mond and Gordon, Messrs. G. Geoffrey Smith, M.B.E., A. F. Houlberg, W. E. Evans, B. K. Johnson, and Capt. C. E. owd<-n; chairman, Mr. A. F. Houlberg; vice-chairman, Mr. siiJ' awkins: hon. secretary, Mr. E. F. H. Cosh; hon. trea- • lr?r Mr. L. J. Hawkins; competition secretary, Mr. J. C. ™; Press secretary, Mr. H. York; technical secretary, Mr.N ; Bullock. Capt. L. F. Plugge, M.P., was elected a vice- presented by Mrs. Thurston at the annual dinner of the S.M.A.E., held in London on February 2. The toast of the Society was proposed by Mr. E. W. Brindley, of the Balsa Wood Co., and responded to by the president, Dr. Thurston, who announced that the Aero Club de France was identifying itself with the Wakefield con- test, to be held at the Caudron aerodrome, Guyancourt, on July 31 next. •>• ;•:• : Composite Models ~- ; ^ 'TkHE recent separation flights of the Short-Mayo composite-L aircraft lend interest to the experiments made at Danson Park last summer by Mr. H. A. Jones, Senr., of the North KentModel Aircraft Society. A half-ounce parasol monoplane was anchored to a heavyweight high-wing model by means of arubber band passing over the centre section and airscrew, and held between the nose-piece and fuselage of the " porter "model by the tension of the elastic motor. The unwinding of the motor eventually allowed the band to fall away, whereuponthe parasol went up like a lift and flew for 80 seconds. One also recalls that some years ago at Wimbledon, Mr. A. M.Willis, of The Model Aircraft Club, used a rather similar method for launching a glider. * * * Amongst S.M.A.E. Rules is one requiring every petrol modelowner to be insured against third-party claims. Thanks to the initiative of Mr. A. E. Brooks, designer of the Comet andSpitfire two-strokes, the Model Aircraft Stores, of 127b, Hankin- son Road, Bournemouth, is sponsoring an excellent scheme byMr. Dudley Ship, a Bournemouth insurance broker. Cover up to £2,500 is provided in respect of one engine, which maybe installed in any number of fuselages, provided these are registered, for a modest outlay of 7s. 6d. per annum, plus aninitial charge of is. for the policy. * * # Just two of several delightful passages from a model air- craft constructional drawing emanating from Japan deserving quotation: — "Test: Please" look into wing backwing and stand wing, etc., and tur turn of propeller. And drop in oil at coshon ball of propeller. "Flying: At first see throgh from forward and get it mended all out of order. Next time opposite direction for wind blow at open ground, 40-60 M long line. And ATTENTION. Then start itself from the ground. PTease point at combine point without fail, because of motionless combine point. Please according to elucidation method of bend the turning of every
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