The Blerioplane Flyer. (Plate II.)
The Blerioplane Flyer is of the simple monoplane type and is very easily constructed. It is a remarkable flyer when properly adjusted and will fly over one hundred and fifty feet.
The motor base is a piece of 3/16 dowel, 12 inches long. The edges of the planes are made of fine steel piano wire bent to the shape shown in Plate I. The planes are covered with silk which is carefully turned over at the edges, around the wires and fastened either by sewing or with bamboo varnish. The dimensions of the planes are clearly shown in the illustration.
Plate IV.
The propeller is placed at the rear of the machine, the smaller plane being considered the elevator. The bearing is shown in detail in the accompanying illustration. It is made by folding and bending a piece of sheet brass into the shape shown. A piece of steel piano wire is passed through the forward end of the motor base to act as an anchor hook for the rubber band.
The propeller is easily wound up by hand.
One side of the main plane will have to be made slightly larger than the other in some cases in order to counteract the twisting action of the propeller by one side of the machine more of a lift than the other.
The planes are adjusted by bending the wire edge. They should form a slight dihedral angle. The rubber strands lie along the top of the motor base so as to bring the centre of the propeller thrust coincident with the centre of pressure on the planes. Bending the front edge of the planes down will cause the machine to take a downward path while bending them up will cause the aeroplane to fly higher. A little experimental work will determine the proper position.