The Mastery of the Air

Progress, Volume VI, Issue 1, 1 November 1910, Page 434

The Mastery of the Air

Dr. Graham Bell and Mr. Baldwin in Auckland.

According to promise, we publish to-day the lectures Dr. Graham. Bell and Mr. Baldwin gave at the New Zealand Aero Club ’s meeting in Auckland on the 10th of last month. The term “lecture” somewhat startled- these gentlemen when our representative referred to the episode, and

they protested good humouredly. For their sakes let us call their lectures talks, Dr. Graham-Bell said:— "Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to stand before this assembly, right -m the tar end of the world, and to talk to men who are devoting their time to the most interesting science, 'Aviation.' In lookmg about me I cannot fail to see the difference m the colour of your heads, your hair not yet turning white, in comparison to my own. (The speaker possesses long white hair.) 1 really don t know what to say to you in regard to aviation, but will strongly recommend you to ask Mr. Baldwin to speak -to -you,-.he being a practical flying . man, .as well as Vice-president of the (janaaian jiero Club. However, if there is any question I can answer for you I will ue oruy too glad to do so." At this stage several questions were a«Kea m rcgaru to flying at a great altitude. . ■.«,..,.

A Record of the Achievements of Science in the Realm of Aerial Navigation

“The flying of the future,” continued the doctor, “will invariably be at a great height, there being several good reasons for this. The density of the air being less, and the ' thrust of your engine the same, the obvious result is the propeller drives along with greater force, the mass it moved while ,on the earth, consequently when a good altitude is reached the engine may be throttled down or some compensating device be introduced to lessen

your power. It certainly takes a big power to get your aerodrome to a great height, but less power to drive when the height is reached. "The absence of air gusts and currents is also a distinct advantage, as these gusts present difficulties to aviators in the piloting of their machines. "The rarity of the air is nothing to be afraid of, as the aviator is rushing through space at a great velocity, and would not suffer any inconvenience, which might occasion if he were stationary. By means of a funnel-shaped body with mouth towards the front machine, the rare air could be concentrated around the aviator and his engine. "Extreme cold is another drawback to high flights, but this is simply solved by the introduction of a spiral of pipes car-, rying the warm water from the engine to the radiator, circulating around and in front of the aviator. . v "Judging by your surrounding conn-

try,” went on the doctor, “it would be an excellent thing for your club to consider well the facts of starting your aeroplane from the water. Your machine, if built upon a hydroplane, which, as speed is developed, would lift itself out of the water, instead of as in the ordinary way leaving the land. The possibility of starting off the water is indeed a most important item in aviation, and it is my opinion that the next move will be a big development in

this direction, it being more convenient and much safer (especially for beginners)." Dr. Bell also referred to a weak body, such as a strut losing much power by vibration, and the necessity for proper staying and guys Mr. Baldwin, on rising to speak, referred to the experiments made at Dr Bell's home at Baddeck in Nova Scotia He was very pleased to see the interest taken in aviation in this part of the world and if he could be of any service to the club he would only be too happy to impart to others the benefit of his experiment" The method of construction m radiation, together with the drive and position of your engine, are very important features in aerial construction He strongly advised having the engine low down coneentrating the strain on the main parts of the machine. By means of a blackboard ithe speaker showed the thrust strain on a machine (Fig. I).

Having the engine high up tends to throw the strain and thrust on the frame of the machine, and in the event of a sudden strain it is more than likely the engine will land on top of the aviator, but by means of having the engine low down, the strain is exerted on the body of the machine, which is more tit to stand it (Fig. 2). The weight of radiators and their cumbranee has made them difficult to use in aviation work. However, he had, by constant experiment, hit upon a design that would support more than its own weight. Taking advantage of the struts that lie between the decks of his machine, he had made thin copper 32-inch tubes in the shape of a plane running across his machine, at a distance of Sin. from one another. These tubes were braced by a section of brass running through the centre,

and so sweated, they made water-tight compartments. This brass section was drilled, and the stays and struts passed through, making the whole stable and free from vibration. The seams and joints were bent over and sweated, the whole making a radiator of great cooling capacity at a minimum weight.

The blackboard again proved useful in illustrating the design of these radiator struts (Figs. 3 and 4).

The construction of tips is a very interesting study, but I find it best to have this a plane form rather than a curve, and when not in action to be level, rather than incline with the curve of the plans (Fig. 5).

The simplest way to make these is to use wood of about 12 to 16 inches in width and about %in diameter. Place these two lengths, one on top of the other, in a mould the shape of top rib, glue well, and clamp tightly. The lower rib is treated in the same way, this giving us two lengths of laminated wood, in the shape of the top and lower ribs. Top rib glued and moulded to shape. Bottom rib glued and moulded to shape. These two ribs are now placed together with supports in between, the whole making a complete rib the thickness of the plank used, as here shown (Fig. 3), the whole being fastened with good glue. These planks are then easily sawn up into convenient widths.

The manufacture of ribs is a very tedious task, in making them uniform. A simple manner of construction is shown in the sketch (Pig. 6).

“I have been asked to give my opinion to men about to fly: Don’t be too ambitious. It is a hard thing, I know, to keep from flying, but there is a lot to be done before you attempt to leave the ground. “I advise a thorough examination of your machine and engine before each flight, to give it the most severe test possible. Have two friends to hold it by the tips and hold it up and jump into it. I cannot too strongly recommend using the machine without elevator till you get used to the feel of the machine and have confidence in it. Glen Curtis learned to use his machine in this way, and it is also used in most aero schools in 'France. “When you at length start to fly, make a series of short hops; it is the landing that shows the skill of the aviator, and not across country flights.” After the discussion which followed the

‘ ‘ talks, ’ ’ the Doctor and Mr. Baldwin were each elected honorary life members of the Aero Club. In returning their, thanks, the visitors were appreciative of the honour done them, and cordially wished the club every success in their efforts. Mr. Baldwin added that at any time Dr, Bell or he could help them, they would be only too pleased. One of the heartiest votes of thanks ever given brought these absolute unique proceedings to an end. Such was the first appearance of aviati'n in the Dominion,

Australia. They happened to be in when I called, and they were good enough to accord me an interview. The old gentleman and his young friend were alike in one respect: they were courtesy itself, and in their readiness to talk about the science of aviation, of which they are such distinguished students, and in which they are such high authorities, there was nothing to choose between them. In everything else there was a great contrast. The Doctor, big, strong, ruddy, broadshouldered, with a mass of picturesque white hair, talked fluently with the old Doric of his country unimpaired by the long absence, untouched by the strange speech of the people of his new home. Very careful in all his statements, he was, as becomes a man of science who has studied and practised accuracy of statement all his long life. For example, 1 asked’him if the limit of long distance