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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0121.PDF
FEBRUARY 27, In addition to the vertical surface of 113 sq. ft. at the rear of the •«lliptical-frame, there is a fixed frame of 150 sq. ft. at the rear of the gas-bag. To fasten the two perpendicular planes at the rear of the gas-bag, cloth flaps are sewed directly on the gas-bag. Nickel •steel tubes are placed in the flaps, which are then laced over the tubes. With these tubes as a base, a light tube and wire framework is attached, and waterproof cloth laced on this framework. Addi- tional braces run from one surface to the other, and from each ^surface to the gas-bag. The rudder is at the rear under the gas-bag. It lias about 150 sq. ft., and is balanced. A movable horizontal plane near the centre of gravity, above the •car, is used to produce rising or descending motion, or to prevent an involuntary rising or falling of the airship due to expansion or contraction of the gas, or to other causes. After the adoption of this movable horizontal plane, the loss of gas and ballast was •reduced to a minimum. Ballast is carried in 10 lb. and 20 lb. sand- bags. A pipe runs through the bottom of the car, from which the ballast is thrown.. There are two long guide ropes, one attached to the front of the -elliptical-frame and the other on the car. On landing, the one in front is seized first so as to hold the airship with the head to the wind. The motor may then be stopped, and the descent made by pulling down on both guide ropes. A heavy rope, 22 ft. long, weighing 110 lbs., is attached on the end of a 164 ft. guide rope. This can be dropped out on landing to prevent coming to the ® ® ground too rapidly. The equipment of the car includes a " siren " speaking trumpet, carrier pigeons, iron pins, and a rope for anchoring the airship, reserve supply of fuel and water, and fire extinguisher. After being enlarged in September, 1907, the " Patrie " made a number of long trips at an altitude of 2,500 to 3,000 ft. In November, 1907, she went from Paris to Verdun, near the German frontier, a distance of about 175 miles, in about seven hours, carry- ing four persons. This trip was made in a light wind blowing from the north-east. Her course was east, so that the wind was un- favourable. On Friday, November 29th, 1907, during a flight near Verdun, the motor stopped, due to difficulty with the carburettor. The airship drifted with the wind to a village about 10 miles away, where she was safely landed. The carburettor was repaired on the 30th. Soon after, a strong wind came up, and lore loose some.of the iron pickets with which it was anchored. This allowed the airship to swing broadside to the wind ; it then tilted over on the side far enough to let some of the ballast bags fall out The 150 or 200 soldiers who were holding the ropes were pulled along the ground until directed by the officer in charge to let go. After being released, it rose, and was carried by the wind across the north of France, the English Channel, and into the north of Ireland. It struck the earth there, breaking off one of the propellers, and then drifted out to sea. (To be continued.) AERO CLUB OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. OFFICIAL NOTICES TO MEMBERS. Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting of the members of the Aero Club of the United Kingdom will be held at 166, Piccadilly, London, W., on Thursday, March nth, 1909, at 5 o'clock. Members are reminded that a ballot paper, for the •election of nine candidates to serve on the Committee of the Club for the ensuing year, will be forwarded to them at least seven days before the date of the Annual General Meeting. The following members have so far been nominated, -and have signified their willingness to serve :— ^Griffith Brewer. Frank McClean. *Frank H. Butler. C. A. Moreing. Major C. de W. Crookshank. *C. F. Pollock. *John Dunville. *J. Lyons Sampson. *Capt. A. H. W. Grubb. *Stanley Spooner. *Prof. A. K. Huntington. G. Holt Thomas. Dr. J. W. S. Lockyer. The names of the retiring members of the Committee are indicated by an asterisk. Gordon-Bennett Aviation Cup. The Aero Club of the United Kingdom have sent in three entries for the Gordon-Bennett Aviation Cup, which will be competed for at Rheims on August 29th, 1909. The competition is for an International Challenge Cup •of the value of ^500, to be competed for by clubs belonging to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. In addition, a sum of ^1,000 will be awarded to the winner. Other prizes will be competed for during the Aviation Week at Rheims and full particulars will be announced later. . -*;-:'• 7 Pau Flying Ground, The Mayor of Pau will grant members of the Aero Club of the United Kingdom free use of the new Champ d'Aviation, which gives a three-mile straight flight and a turning place at each end. Members wishing to avail themselves of this offer are requested to communi- cate with the Secretary of the Aero Club. Lecture at the Royal United Service Institution. A lecture on the " Defence of Harbours against Air- ships," by CoL F. G. Stone, R.A., will take place at the Royal United Service Institution, Whitehall, S.W., on Wednesday, March 10th, 1909, at 3 p.m. A few ad- mission tickets have been kindly placed at the disposal of the Aero Club, and members wishing to attend should communicate with the Secretary. New Members. The following new members have been elected :— G. B. Cockburn. Capt. Martin. Capt V. Champion de Douglas Pigot. Crespigny. Sir R. Waldie - Griffith, Andrew Fletcher. Bart. Balloon Photographs. A Bronze Medal will be awarded for the best set of photographs taken by a member from a balloon during the year 1908. Members are requested to forward the photographs to the Secretary by March 31st, 1909. Aero Exhibition at Olympia. The Aero Exhibition at Olympia, held by the Society of Motor Manufacturers under the auspices of the Aero Club of the United Kingdom, will take place in March, opening on the 19th and terminating on the 27th. Members of the Aero Club will be admitted free on production of their Aero Club membership cards. A room will be placed at the disposal of the members during the Exhibition. Free space will be granted to non-trade members of the Aero Club and the Aero Club League for exhibiting their machines, and applications should be made as early as possible to the Secretary of the Aero Club, 166, Piccadilly, London, W. Model Flying Machines at Olympia. Owing to the large number of model flying machines which have been entered for the Aero Exhibition at Olympia, the Committee of the Aero Club have decided to close the entries on Tuesday, March 2nd, 1909. Those desirous of exhibiting are requested to com- municate with the Secretary of the Aero Club. Free space will be given to exhibitors. HAROLD E. PERRIN, Secretary. The Aero Club of the United Kingdom, 166, Piccadilly, W. 123
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