Fig. 59.—Dunne inherently stable Biplane.
A. Hull containing pilot and passenger; B.B. Main-planes; C.C.C.C. Flaps used as elevators; D.D. Side-planes which act as rudders; E. Engine and propeller; F. Alighting gear.
In the future, it is now clear, the automatically stable aeroplane will play a highly important part. Large machines, with duplicate engines, will be so constructed that, beyond causing them to rise and descend, and move to right or left, the steersman will have nothing to do; to all wind-gusts and inequalities in the air the machine will adapt itself automatically. In this way it will be possible to build very large craft, carrying a number of passengers or a consignment of goods, and to fly in any winds save such raging gales as drive ships for shelter into port.
CHAPTER XIII
MILITARY AND CROSS-COUNTRY FLYING
Aerial scouting—Types of machines used—The high-speed monoplane—Steering across country—An airman’s map and compass.
When they could fly in high winds, and their motors were reliable, it was seen that aircraft would become vital factors in time of war; so vital, indeed, that no army or navy could afford to be without them. Successful aeroplane builders, consequently, such as the brothers Farman and Louis Bleriot, became busy with the construction of military craft. France threw herself with enthusiasm into the creation of an aerial fleet. Germany, more methodical, studied cautiously and yet thoroughly the problems involved; while in England, for several years, the subject received scant attention.
It was in the autumn of 1910, when one or two aeroplanes were used in the manœuvres in France, that interest was first focussed upon their power as scouts. These machines were not built specially for military work, and there was little organisation or foresight in their use; but observers accompanied the pilots upon long cross-country flights, during which they hovered above the enemy, and noted the location and movements of troops. By being able to pass through the air, and evade the enemy’s patrols, these observers brought back news it would have been impossible to obtain by use of cavalry scouts; and, owing to the speed of their flight, they were able to glean such reports, and fly back with them to headquarters, in a far shorter time than would have been possible by any other means. These first observers were officers, who sat behind the pilots as passengers. They carried with them field-glasses and notebooks, and the pilot obeyed their orders as to the direction in which he should fly. Peering down upon the land that lay below, an observer made rough notes of all he saw; then, upon returning to his starting-point, he prepared and handed in such a report as is printed below:
5.56 a.m.—At —— a cyclist company.
5.59 a.m.——, sixteen squadrons of cavalry and six batteries at the south-west entrance to ——.
6.5 a.m.—South-west of ——, at the north point of —— Wood, a company of two batteries of artillery.
6.7 a.m.—Northern entrance to the village of ——, one company of infantry to the right and one to the left of the wood; one company at point 188; one company in the village of ——.
6.9 a.m.—At the cross roads to ——, a squadron of dragoons concealed behind the edge of the wood.
6.14 a.m.—On the road south of ——, a squadron on the march towards ——, and a troop in the village of ——.
6.16 a.m.—On the —— road a squadron and two machine guns marching towards ——.
6.19 a.m.—South-west entrance to ——, three regiments of cavalry, including cuirassiers, and six batteries of artillery in assembly formation.