A MODERN CROSS-BOW

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6631, 9 June 1928, Page 4 (Supplement)

A MODERN CROSS-BOW

FOB DKKMABGXNG AIRPLANES, A miniature airplane or glider discharged by a crossbow is a new invention credited to Sidney 0. Wilson, of Rochester, N.Y. (states the San Francisco 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 are fastened together, become slots. One slot serves to hold the rear wing; in the other is set crosswise the lower of the two front wings. The glider is a combination biplane and monoplane, with two super-imposed wings at the front and one wing behind The outer ends of the 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 tho body piece holds the upper wing of the forward pair. Tho glider is thrown into the air by a crossbow which has a skeleton wire stock and a channelled “barrel.” Near the “muzzle” of the barrel is a crossbar, to the ends of which is fastened a long rubber band. The loop of the band is meant to be caught over a trigger at the rear of the barrel. The fuselage of the glider is set in the channel of the crossbow, being made to fit it, and, when tho rubber band is stretched to engage with the trigger, the instrument is ready for use. Tho trigger is pulled, and the released rubber band, catching the tail of the glider, discharges the latter from tho crossbow with great velocity. Connected to the body piece near the front, between tho two forward wings, is a rod on which runs a weight. The weight, running back and forth on the rod, causes the slider while in the air to perform evolutions resembling “stunt” flying by a regular airplane.