THE PARAKITE FLYING MACHINE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4886, 18 November 1876, Page 3

THE PARAKITE FLYING MACHINE.

(From the Daily Netvs, August 25.)

Military inventors have long been trying to find some , safe and speedy means of-taking observations over a large tract of country. Montgolfier’s balloon failed because a breeze of wind drove the hot air from the inside, and produced a speedy collapse. Captive balloons were also much affected by the wind ; gas, always expensive, was often inaccessible; and the process of inflation occupied so long 1 a time that ascents were often rendered impossible until too late to be of service. Mr. Joseph Simmons, the well-known aeronaut, turned his attention to the matter some years ago, and after unsuccessful trials in other directions, at last determined to see what could be done with the kite. That favorite plaything of juvenile Europeans and adult “celestials” as ordinarily made is uncertain and varying in its flight to the last degree, often when in the midst of a quick ascent turning tail upwards and descending with a swiftness which usually wrecks tha whole machine past repair. Two things were necessary—an air-proof fabric so as:to get the full pressure of the wind, and a framework sufficiently strong to bear a man. The former was obtained by covering French cambric with birdlime and india-rubber, then producing a light cloth perfectly air-tight. The framework was more difficult. Cross-pieces to which the cloth was tied snapped as soon sas great pressure was brought to bear, while ! the kite gyrated in a very dangerous ’ fashion. Eventually Mr. Simmons hit on; the idea which he has since patented, and which is the main feature of his invention. The cloth is square, and is flown in the shape of a diamond. The backbone, as it may be called, of the kite is lashed firmly at the top and bottom corners. The spar crossing it at right angles is bound to the other two comers or wings, but at the intersection with the backbone a loop of rope about 4 feet in length, according to the size of the kite, holds it. As soon ;as the machine is flown, the wind presses back the wings and the cross-piece, until the rope kite, becoming taut, holds the latter, which then assumes the shape of a V, with the point towards the wind, or, more accurately, it : is exactly that of the breastbone of a bird. In this shape the kite is found to be very steady, and even if it turns earthwards descends slowly, breasting the air, and does not pitch headlong down. The backbone and the crossbar fit into tin sockets lashed at the corners to the cloth, and the parakite once prepared is therefore very quickly ready for ascent. Ten minutes were found sufficient yesterday with a party of sappers who had neverseen one before, and in the hands of practised men the work could evidently be done much more quickly. The parakite, however, did not spring at once from the inventor’s brain. It was only evolved after long and patient study, the kite with which Mr. Simmons commenced his experiments having taken twelve hours to put together. Even the tail required considerable patience before it was found that pelican’s feathers were beat, from their length and strength. | The weather yesterday was pretty favorable, a strong breeze blowing in the early part of the afternoon across the lines at Chatham, where the trial, by order of the Royal Engineers Committee, took place. Mr. Simmons had two parakites, 7ft. Bin. square ; two, 15ft. square ; and one 25ft. square. The two little ones and one of the medium size fastened together gave four men as much as they could do to hold them, and carried a small boy easily besides. Just as the fourth kite was starting, one of the guy ropes to the wings was seen to be loose, and this rendering the pressure unequal, the crosspiece, a pine spar two inches in diameter, snapped in an instant. The big parakite was then fastened to the other three, and the four raised a sandbag of i 851 b. to a considerable height, and were evidently capable of carrying as much more, for Captain M. T. Sale, secretary to the committee, was able to swing by his hands on the rope also. A little more experience in manipulation, so as to allow for the gust of wind, and the soldiers in charge should be able to keep the weight at a pretty uniform height. As the day wore on the breeze became fitful and uncertain, 1 and the experiments were therefore stopped, but as a result of the trials the inventor was satisfied that with one

medium and one big parakite he can raise & man 600 ft., a sufficient-height for military purposes. i