The Peerless Racer. (Plate V.)
This excellent flyer is very simple to put together and by carefully following the directions anyone can construct the machine and obtain splendid flights.
The two long members of the frame or fusellage, marked "A" and "B" in the drawing are 36 inches in length. They measure 1/4 x 3/16 in cross section.
Bevel one 1/4 inch side of one end of each of the two long sticks so that they can be joined to form an angle as shown in the upper right hand corner of the accompanying plate. The tip should not be greater than one quarter inch in width after joining. Glue the ends together using plenty of glue and before it has set, bind with strong linen thread, starting at the tip and winding back for about one inch. The surplus glue will squeeze out between the threads and when hard prevent them from unwinding if broken.
An aluminum brace must be made by flattening the ends of a piece of 1/8 inch aluminum rod. The rod should be about 5 1/4 inches long so that when the brace is placed 5/8 of an inch back from the ends of the sticks, the distance between them will be about 4 3/4 inches.
Glue and bind a small wooden cross brace to the frame, 12 inches from the rear end. The brace should be made 3/16 of an inch wide and 3/32 of an inch thick.
The elevating blocks are 3/4 of an inch long, 3/16 of an inch thick, 3/8 of an inch high at the rear and 1/2 inch high at the front. They should be fastened to the machine by gluing and binding six inches back from the tip. The highest part of the blocks should be towards the front of the machine as shown in the illustration. Be careful to see that the frame is lined up perfectly true and then lay it aside until the glue dries.
FIG. 54. The Peerless Racer.
The propeller bearings are made from No. 18 hard sheet aluminum. It is cut into a strip 1/4 of an inch wide and then drilled and bent as shown in the accompanying illustrations. The bearings are screwed on the rear ends of the sticks "A" and "B." It is also a good plan to bind some linen thread around tightly.
Pass the propellers through the bearings and bend the end of the shaft into the shape of a hook, being very careful not to twist the bearings during the operation. A bead should be slipped over the propeller shaft previous to passing it through the bearing so that it comes between the bearing and the propeller and lessens the friction.
Bore a small hole through the frame of the machine 1/2 inch back from the tip, making the hole pass from side to side. Pass a piece of stiff wire through this hole and bend back each end snugly to the frame to form the anchor hooks as illustrated. Bind some thread over the anchor hooks to keep them from twisting.
Bend two small pieces of wire into "S" shaped hooks and slip one over each of the anchor hooks.
Plate VIII.
Pass the rubber skein through one of the "S" hooks and back to the hook in the end of the propeller shaft, weaving it back and forth seven times so that there are seven strands. Do the same with the other propeller. The ends of the rubber must be tied to the hook with some strong cotton cord. The cord should be soft and the rubber should be passed loosely around the hook so that it will not easily become cut.
The planes are made of hard fibre 1/32 of an inch thick. The main plane is 22 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide. The elevating plane is 8 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide. The ends are rounded as shown in the illustration. Glue a strip of wood 1/16 x 3/16 inches to the front edge of each plane. The strip for the large main plane should be 19 inches long and that for the elevating plane 5 inches. The edges should be smoothed with a piece of fine sandpaper and rubbed down until they are dry.
The planes are attached to the frame by rubber bands in the usual manner. The edges of the planes should be squeezed together slightly until they are slightly concave on the under side. The position of the main plane will have to be determined by trial. The front edge of the elevating plane should rest on the elevating blocks.
The propeller should be given from 600-700 turns. The propellers should be six inches in diameter and of medium pitch.
The Peerless Racer is a splendid flyer and will fly over 1,000 feet if properly adjusted.