Fig. 233. [↑]
My favorite model aeroplane is shown in [Fig. 233]. It had made some very pretty flights when it took a notion to glide into a young man’s bicycle as he was riding by. Well, there was no improvement on the aeroplane when the chain and spokes of the bicycle were thru with it.
Figs. 234, 235, 236, 237. [↑]
The framework is light and is spread well at the rear. The two spines are 3/16” × ¼” × 33” and they come together at the forward end, the vertical section being ¼”. Nine inches back from the front end is a cross-piece that is just under ⅛” in thickness, ¼” wide and 2½” long. The cross-piece is on the upper side of the spines, and is fastened by a small ¼” brad, is lashed with thread and coated with glue or shellac. The other cross-piece is 1” forward from the rear end, is of the same dimensions in cross-section as the forward piece, but is 8” long and is secured in the same manner as the other, see [Fig. 234]. The framework is further stiffened by two fine wires that run diagonally from the ends of one cross-piece to the ends of the other. They are secured to the inside vertical face of the spines by means of small pieces of tin that have two small holes, one at each end, the one receives a ¼” brad that is driven into the spine, while the wire is attached to the other hole. The little pieces of tin are about 3/16” × ½” and are lashed to the spine in addition to the fastening by the small brad. This kind of fastening prevents slipping, also the cutting into the wood, either of which would destroy the efficiency of the wire. In order to increase the tension of the wire, a small turn-buckle is inserted, [Fig. 235].
