MODEL AEROPLANE NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 271, 15 November 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

MODEL AEROPLANE NOTES.

A "CANARD" MODEL,

CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS

(By PROPELLER.)

Since the recent win by the Americans of the Wakefield Cup, which crosses the water this year for the first time, there' has been aroused in England a great deal of interest in the methods used. In England most aeromodellists build fairly heavy models —that is from live to 16oz in weight and endeavour to get duration by the use of multi gears. The Americans on the otlier hand are very keen on the featherweight type of model, using balsa wood and rice paper, or •Japanese tissue to a great extent. Their models only weigh from .38 of an ounce to 2£ ounces generally. This balsa wood is at present, as far as I can understand, quite unobtainable iu New Zealand, but there will be supplies here shortly. It is about half the weight of cork, and though a very sappy wood is very strong for its weight. To get duration the Americans use a largo propeller, few strands of rubber and rely on the slow unwinding to get duration. And they certainly get it. An American boy, Jack Harris, junr., of New York, recently broke the world's- record, held at Van Courtlandt Park, with a wonderful flight of 10 minutes J3G 2-5 seconds, hand launched. This with a small single surface monoplane tractor with a span of about 22 inches and length the same. Only two thin strands of rubber on a 12in propeller were used. It seems incredible to us to hear of these aeromodellists getting over 1000 turns out of this length of rubber motor. Evidently our .rubber deteriorates coming through the tropics for 300 turns is quite a lot , here.

However, it can be done as these records are authentic. So try hard and keep, on trying and you will succeed in getting some records here yet. I have had quite a number of inquiries about the Canard or twin-pusher type of model aeroplane. This is a good fiver and fairly easy to construct. Of course you have' to make a pair of propellers, one left hand and one right band. General dimensions of a twin pusher model are

given below. A frame: Two main spars 30in by 5-16 by l-Bin; one rear cross brace and propeller bracket lOin by 5-10 by l-Bin: two cross braces 5-10 by l-Bin at 12in and 23in from rear.

Wing: Span 30in, chord 4in; dihedral angle. Tips are 2in higher than centre. Front elevator llin by 2in resting on a pair of supports in front to raise the front spar 3-Bin. Propeller: Two (right and left) pusher type cut from block lOin by l.jin by 7-Sin. * This model will make excellent 8.0.C. flights if fitted with an undercarriage and wheels. Wheels should be l£in diameter.

If fitted with floats it will rise off the water and make good landings. Two floats Sin by 2in by.'Jin deep are, fitted just forward of the CO.,(centre of gravity) and one float Sin by 2in by |in at the rear. If these floats are stepped in the approved hydroplane fashion It will greatly help the take-off. Always fit your floats with a slope up in front, which makes J hem have a lifting effect when in the air. They should u c made of thin steel wire, < •• bamboo i nd covered with silk and doped.

Club Notes

An enjoyable '. giu meeting was heid bv the membcrs-'of " e Mo., -cro an.: Gliding Club at One Tree Hill last Saturday. A number of spar ir. nlels were out and flying well. Mr. Bartly gave some fine displays 0. aerobatics with his fuselage model Black Devil. Owing to the rather high wind no.great duration flights were made, but the outing was enjoyed by all. -,