CHAPTER XIV AMONG THE MODEL BUILDERS
A number of model aeroplane builders in America have developed distinctive designs which have come to be accepted as standard types. Among thousands of boy amateurs these models are looked upon much as, in the larger field of aeronautics, the Wrights, Curtiss, or Bleriot are accepted as authoritative. Like the famous designers and pilots of man-carrying craft this younger generation of designers give their names to their machines. Our young designers, as a rule, confine themselves to developing a particular type of machine. A comparison of the models of the same builder for a year or more will usually show that the same general form and arrangement of the planes remain the same.
The Percy Pierce model, which borrows the name of its designer, is probably the best known of these model aeroplanes. The designer is a New York schoolboy seventeen years of age, who has won distance records both for indoor and outdoor flying. His machines rise from the ground under their own power. The Pierce model of 1911 is equipped with wings much narrower than those used last year, spaced well apart on a four-foot frame. The planes, which are slightly flexed, are covered with silk, or bamboo paper drawn taut and varnished. Twin propellers of high pitch are used and the motors are carried above the planes. They are wound more than five hundred times. The planes are carried beneath the main frame. Directional stability is obtained by carrying back the edges of the rear plane and by a vertical rudder placed beneath. The model is mounted on skids of bent reed and is elevated very slightly above the horizontal. It starts off very fast, often leaving the ground within five feet. The model reaches its maximum altitude, traveling at an angle equivalent to its position at starting, and maintains its height throughout its flights.
The later Pierce machines, while preserving the same general lines, are considerably lighter and have developed surprising distance qualities. The planes are made of light lath or bamboo covered with specially prepared paper, while the pitch of the propellers has been increased as has the power. The latest models have flown for 1,600 feet.
Another prize-winning model which has attracted considerable attention of late is the aeroplane designed and built by Cecil Peoli. It shows an intelligent appreciation of the principles involved and excellent workmanship. It is a monoplane, flying with the smaller plane forward, and has recently flown for nearly 1700 feet. Planes are used with both silk or paper covering. The success of the model is largely due, no doubt, to the careful workmanship and finish of the planes.
The models are usually high powered and are driven by twin propellers of high pitch, carved from especially designed blanks. The aeroplane rises very quickly and will successfully combat a high wind. It is doubtless due to this fact that the model has won in a contest for altitude. It has repeatedly flown over a thousand feet. It does not follow, of course, that the beginner can equal these records since much depends upon the skilful adjustment of the model which comes only with experience.
Another prize-winning aeroplane which has been much admired is the Leslie Robinson model. This model, which is of an original design, makes long and remarkably stable flights. In no other model has metal been used so extensively in construction. The propellers are made of aluminum as is the framework of the planes. Both planes are built in the proportion of about one to five, the smaller wing being carried forward. A novel feature of this model is the turned wing tips of both planes, which are slightly tapered and bent upward and outward at a slight angle. The model is beautifully finished in every detail.
Skids of reed are used and the model is tilted upward sharply at an angle of nearly forty-five degrees. The motors, three feet in length, are composed of ten strands of square rubber, which will take about 400 turns. The model rises quickly at a sharp angle but soon comes to a horizontal position and flies with great steadiness. It weighs complete, ready for flight, nine ounces. Its metal construction makes it very durable and proof against many of the smaller accidents. The later machines have been equipped with geared motors, which work well in practice.
The models built and flown by H. L. Watkins always give a good account of themselves. A comparison of the Watkins models of 1910 and 1911 shows that their inventor has kept closely to his original design and has made remarkable progress in lightening his machine while keeping it sufficiently strong to support two powerful motors. The wings have been cut down in size and made extremely light, the smaller wing being set well forward. Directional stability is gained by a small vertical and horizontal rudder, carried far in the rear of the rear main plane. Every part of the frame is kept extremely light. The model complete weighs but four ounces.
The Watkins model stands on very light skids so arranged that a single point comes in contact with the floor, thus reducing the friction on rising. In many of his models Watkins covers his planes with thin red paper. The machine rests almost horizontally but rises very quickly on being released. Its extreme lightness often gives its flights a slightly waving form. Twin propellers, with unusually broad surfaces are used for driving, although, in some models, a single propeller is carried just back of the rear plane. It is an extremely graceful model in flight.
In the models built by Stewart Easter the wing surface has been reduced still further. The surfaces are no more than knife blades and are mounted surprisingly far apart on a rectangular frame. Every part of the frame has been cut away where possible to economize weight and resistance. Although four feet in length the model weighs less than three ounces. The front planes are flat with straight entering edges and the sides are cut slightly away. The rear edge of the rear plane is slightly concave. In some of his models two thin blades are carried forward, the upper one being placed slightly in front, thus ingeniously varying the biplane form.
Two slight vertical rudders, elliptical in form, are carried back of the rear plane. The frame stands in a practically horizontal position. The skids used are very light, touching the ground at a single point. With a six-strand motor the twin propellers are wound about six hundred times. The propellers are broad and of a high pitch. The Easter model clears the ground instantly, rises rather high and makes a beautiful flight. The model shows extremely fine workmanship in every detail.
The model built by John Caresi contrasts strikingly with these extremely light frames. They are of excellent workmanship and illustrate many new ideas in construction. The Caresi model flies well and has acquitted itself specially in the weight-lifting contests. It is safe to say that no other American model aeroplane shows a more comprehensive knowledge of the scientific principles involved in model building or a higher standard of workmanship in every detail of their construction. The planes are large, thus affording unusual stability. The frames are marvels of delicate and ingenious construction. In contests in which the workmanship and design are considered as well as the distance qualities, the Caresi model stands in a class apart.
No list of the successful model aeroplane models of the year would be complete which did not include the prize-winning machine built by J. Ragot. The aeroplane carries two planes of about equal size and shape mounted on a simple frame. It is driven by twin propellers of rather low pitch and a high-powered motor. By skilful adjustment of the planes and weights the model performs the most amazing spectacular flights. The model is well made. The unexpected course of the machine is controlled by flexing the ends of the planes. The Ragot model "loops the loop" and performs other amazing feats.
In point of workmanship few of the model aeroplanes which have appeared at the meets this year compare with those built by R. Mungokee. The genius of the Japanese for delicate construction finds an admirable opportunity in such work. These models are unusually large, and their wing area considerable, yet so delicate are all the parts that they weigh less than one pound. The sticks used for the motor base are hollow, being built up of a light veneer one-sixteenth of an inch thick. The joints are so cleverly arranged that they would deceive the average eye. The main sticks of the frame are joined by a series of trusses of the same delicate construction which form an exceptionally rigid base of amazing lightness. Every detail of the model shows the same delicacy of construction. The planes are built up of thin strips of bamboo covered with Japanese silk on both surfaces, the curve being drawn perfectly. The models are driven by two very wide propellers of high pitch, placed back of the rear plane. The smaller plane is carried forward. The model rises to considerable height, often fifty feet or more, and flies horizontally with unusual stability. The frame is braced by fine wires running through struts placed midway above and below the main sticks.
The finest scale model aeroplane in America to-day is doubtless the biplane built by Mr. Karl H. De Leon, illustrated on the cover of this volume. Its great size is indicated by comparison with the boys standing about it. The most delicate workmanship is to be found in every detail. The planes are controlled by a complete system of wires and levers centered at the driver's seat, exactly as in the large man-carrying machines.. The wings may be flexed and the guiding rudders turned from side to side or their angle elevated or depressed by the slightest movement of the controlling devices. The model is equipped with a miniature Gnome engine especially imported for the purpose. The materials employed in constructing this model alone cost upwards of $500. The model embodies several original features, the inventions of the builder.
Front view of the De Lion model
Several of the most interesting models of the year have been designed and built by Mr. W. S. Howell, Jr., a very painstaking and intelligent student of aeronautics. Mr. Howell has done much valuable original work in building scientific gliders. One of his gliders weighing nearly two pounds, has been thrown for more than 600 feet measured in a straight line, while the actual distance traversed was probably two or three times this distance. The model is of exquisite workmanship in every part. Mr. Howell is the inventor of several devices for increasing the efficiency of rubber-strand motors by reverse winding.