A MODERN CROSS-BOW

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 123, 26 May 1928, Page 20

A MODERN CROSS-BOW

I FOR DISCHAKGING AIRPLANES. A miniature ■ airplane or glider dischargod "by a crossbow is a new invention credited to Sidney C. Wilson, of Rochester, N.Y. (states the "San Prancisco Chronicle"). The fuselage of the glider is made of two squared sticks of equal length. In the under side of the upper stick ■ are two elongated notches, -which, When they arc fastened together, become slots. Ono slot serves to-hold the rear wing; in the other is set crosswise the lower of thai two front wings. • ' The glider is' a'combination biplane and monoplane, with two superimposed wings at the front and one wing behind. The outer ends ,of tho front wings are connected by rubber bands to hold them parallel to each other. Along the top of the fuselage runs a channel, in which are fastened a tail and curved body piece, both being set vertically. A slot in the front part of the body piece holds the upper wing'of the forward pair. The glider is thrown into the air-by a crossbow which has a skeleton wire stock and. a clia'nneled "barrel." JSfcir the "muzzle" of tho barrel is a crossbar, to the ends of which is fastened a long rubber band. The loop of the band is meant to .bic caught over a trigger at the rear c'ri'ii of the barrel. The fuselage of the.-glider is set .iv the channel of the crossbow, being made to fit it, and, when the rubber band is stretched to engage with the trigger, tho instrument is ready for use, The trigger is pulled, and the released: rubber band, catching the tail of the/glid-er/,-.discharges tho latter from the crossbow with great velocity. Connected to the body piece near tiie front, between the two forward wings, is a rod on which runs a weight. The '

weight, running back and forth on the rod, causes the glider while in the air to perform evolutions resembling "stunt" flying by a regular airplane.