When the cars have been completed, cut six sticks 5 inches long, whittle them down until they are about 3/16 inch in diameter, and sandpaper them until they are perfectly round and smooth. These sticks connect the rims of the wheel and form
The Axles from which the cars are hung ([Fig. 159]). Great care must be used in fastening them between the rims, for they are easily split, and the best way to do is to start a hole first in the ends of each axle with an awl or by driving a brad part way in and then withdrawing it; then drive a brad through each spoke of one rim into an axle ([Fig. 157]); slip the other ends of the axles through the holes in the ends of the cars ([Fig. 159]), and nail the spokes of the other rim to them.
To Mount the Wheel upon its standard, whittle an axle 8½ inches long to fit the hubs, then hold the wheel between the two uprights, with the hubs on a line with the spool bearings and run the axle through the holes ([Fig. 137]).
Build Steps at each end of the platform out of heavy writing-paper or light cardboard. Fold the paper or cardboard back and forth, making pleats about ¼ inch wide for the steps, and after gluing it in place cut out the balustrades and glue them to the edges of the steps. Make the top step low enough so there will be about ¼-inch clearance between it and the bottom of the cars ([Fig. 137]).
After you have made a final inspection to see that everything has been put together properly, your toy will be ready for operation, and I am sure that when you set the clockwork machinery in motion, and the little wheel begins to revolve slowly with each little car balancing upon its axle, you will agree that you have constructed a very interesting toy.
The "Flying Airships" is a riding device consisting of a number of cars suspended by steel cables from large arms pivoted to the top of a tower. When the machinery is started, the arms begin to revolve slowly, and the motion produced causes the cars to swing out away from the center. As the speed of the arms increases, the cars swing out farther and farther, until when the highest speed has been reached the cables by which the cars are suspended have taken an oblique position and raised the cars some distance above the ground; then the speed of the engine is gradually diminished, and the cars finally regain their former position. This piece of apparatus is also known as an aerostat.
You will find the miniature flying airships ([Fig. 138]) easy to construct after making a merry-go-round or Ferris wheel, as many of its details are identical with those of the other toys.
The Standard for the toy is made similar to the one for the merry-go-round ([Fig. 135]), except that the top board is omitted and a circular piece of cardboard of the size of the disks removed in cutting out the rims of the Ferris wheel is substituted in its place. Cut a hole through the exact center of the piece large enough so it will fit over spool D ([Fig. 136]).
Cut a Mast about 14 inches long and of the diameter of the hole in the spool and stick it into spool D; then 3 inches below the top of the mast fasten a spool with four horizontal arms 6 inches long glued into holes bored in it. Fasten a crosspiece 4½ inches long to the end of each arm with brads, and from these suspend