The Forrester Aeroplane. A Dominion Invention.

Progress, Volume IV, Issue 9, 1 July 1909, Page 311

The Forrester Aeroplane. A Dominion Invention.

We have been behind the scenes from the first, that is from the clay on which we reported that the machine was under construction and would shortly be the subject of more extended notice in the course of its development. The proprietors, however, have thought it right to let the first description appear in a journal quite unconnected with them in any way. For which reason the Dominion was enabled to give a description of the newest idea in aviation in a recent issue. We extract the same from its columns. "Recently it came to the ears of the Dominion that a Wellington syndicate or association of inventors was building an aeroplane. Inquiry proved that there was something in the rumour. It appears that the inventors are Messrs W. Forrester, P. Ellis. Baldwin and Ra.\ ward, and Mr. 11. D. Vickery is also associated with them. ' ' Mr. Bald wi n . when interviewed on the subject, said: 'Yes, we have been working on an aeroplane for a good many months past — ourselves, Mr. William Forrester, and Mr. P. Ellis. As the times go. it is the sort of thing that any journal must be interested in, and we were the more interested because we had reason to think from the start that we are on to a rather good thing. If you like to come along to-morrow, you shall see the trial of the model.' "The buoyancy of the machine was extreme, its rigidity surprising. It was only in its general motion that it suggested any resemblance to what we have seen of the Wright machines. The great Wright biplanes are of the box-kite type, and, in that case of any such huge structure, it has been contended that there must always be diffi-

culty in rising from the ground. The completed machine these Wellington inventors are working on, fitted to lift and carry one man in flight, will consist of a single plane, borne 16ft by Bft, below which the rider, or aviator, is suspended like the bob of a pendulum.

High-Speed Propellers with Lifting Action. "The thing that strikes one most, is the comparative smallness of the monoplane.

which contrasts so notably with the great surfaces of the big biplanes. The inventors, it seems, rely more on the high velocity of the propellers than on the spread of plane surface. "Mainly, the purpose of the plane in this new machine is to expedite alighting. The propellers work on the level of the plane.

but are driven from below. The shaft is so placed as to be always parallel with elie plane. "The propellers are at each end, the blades peculiarly shaped so as to give a lifting action to lift the machine and maintain its elevation in flight. The cage, suspended from the shaft, lies well below both shaft and plane. It carries the motor and the aviator. The machine will be fitted with a 25-h.p. motor, the connecting drivinggear berng a beveltoothed gearing shaft running from the engine to the propeller-shaft. "The vertical control will be gained by altering the angle of the propellers, and the side movements by means of small vertical planes acting as rudders: both movements controlled by levers from the cage.

Propellers and Vertical Control. "Judging from the trial of the model, it would seem that these inventors really have accomplished much. The machine rises from the ground with great ease, needing no propulsion from an eminence or long preliminary run. Owing to the position of the cage, the centre of gravity of the machine and its load is in such a position as to preserve the equilibrium under all conditions.

11 In any Weather." ' ' It is claimed that this aeroplane can ascend in any weather in perfect safety. In the construction of the model, the inventors were faced with one difficulty — no motor powerful enough, of the small dimensions necessary, was obtainable. Consequently, pending construction of the full-sized machine, impetus had to be obtained by the release of a winding cord, on the principle by which a top is spun. The little model rose immediately, and seemed to more than justify its makers' hopes and expectations. ' ' Mr. Ray ward and his partners are very hopeful. 'We have what some, or most of. the other aeroplane people have not,'

lie said; 'we have assured equilibrium and rigidity". The possibility of capsize is reduced to an absolute minimum. So long as the engine runs, the machine must ±«y, and there is sufficient plane-surface to make descent easy and safe when the engine is stopped. " 'From the outset, when we begun to consider this question of aviation, wp put all lighter-than-air machines altogether out of the reckoning. Of course one hears a lot about Zeppelin. That is inevitable, if it were only by way of Germany's reply to the enthusiasm for aviation in France. But Zeppelin's record has been disastrous, and his accomplishments remain uncertain. It is obvious that one can take up as many people as one wishes, if one makes a balloon big enough ; but the bigger the balloon the greater the risk, and a balloon is not suited for flight in any case.

Box- Kite Idea did not Appeal. " 'We wanted to make a true flying machine — a machine that would take its driver into the air, and in the teeth of the Avind, in pretty well any weather. The more we studied the thing, the less reason we could discover for any huge expanse of piano. The box-kite idea did not appeal to us; its instability in practice seemed appalling. It is one thing for men of iron nerve, and almost unhuman coolness, like the Wrights, to make a machine and operate it. and quite another thing to get such a machine adapted for general use. "We realised that we had to overcome the difficulty of rising, and we were very anxious to make a machine that should be stable when in the air. A smart aeroplane that spills its aviator occassionally was not what we were looking for. My associates have worked very hard and earnestly over this thing, and I really believe that we have got what we sought for. " 'As to the possible uses and value of such a machine, it is too early to speak ; and that is not my subject, anyhow. I don't believe that the box-kite idea is to prove the final solution of this flying difficulty. The world will want a simpler and more dependable machine, and I think that we are on the way to it. lam not asserting for a moment that we have got there yet, but the trial has been in every respect satisfactory. We have no reason to be discouraged. ' To the above we have to add but little The machine is in the important matter of rising into the air the realisation of the ideal. It is simply impossible to fiinl another that has attained to this birdlike quality of springing aloft in the very instant of determination. No going down inclines, no weights suddenly let go no running along the ground, and no need for either runners or wheels Here is a machine which, wherever it may find nself, can resume night at will without any change whatever in its situation. Even the birds have to either plunge off a height or to start at a long angle before they can get into their stride, if we may use the expression to suggest aerial movement. All, with the exception of certain forest birds, who have short enabling them to make a near approach to vertical ascent. But this machine has the faculh of rising straight up off its feet, so 1o speak, at a moment's notice. The mo-,! sudden demand conceivable will flnd it shooting up into the air for flight.

Balance seems perfect during flight, and the certainty of calm descent need not be doubted if there is any thing in theory and appearances. Indeed, it is impossible to imagine what force could upset the centre of gravity in this design. When completed to full size, the new aeroplane will, we feel every confidence be able to fly very far. Cheapness and simplicity of design are other and great factors in this type. In conclusion, we need only refer to the opening phrases of our contemporary: "Recently it came to their ears," the words run. From which it appears that there is some confusion in the mind of our contemporary between his ears and his eyes. There is no doubt that the news did not come to his ears at all. It was conveyed to him through his eyes by a paragraph in Progress, duly forwarded to him, informing him of the existence of the new machine. This is a species of confusion to which some newspapers are rather partial, because they are averse to acknowledge the sources of their information. They prefer an assumption of omniscience to the honesty of making admission of indebtedness.