All the present monoplane models follow the same general plan of placing their propellers and larger planes in front and their horizontal rudder for vertical steering in the rear. The idea is gaining ground, however, that it would be better if this arrangement was reversed, and they flew with what is now the tail in front. The theory of this arrangement is that if the edge of the lifting planes is presented to the air, they would answer the helm much better, as has been proven in the biplane forms. The experiment of reversing the monoplane forms has been tried in model aëroplanes with great success.
The heaviest and largest of the monoplanes at present is the Antoinette model, which is the invention of M. Levasseur. It looks like a great dragon fly, and has proven itself very steady in flight. The main wings, measuring forty-two feet in width seem to be arched unusually high from front to rear, and taper rather sharply at the ends. Their total lifting surface is a trifle over 300 feet. In some of the Antoinette models the wings are set in the form of a broad, dihedral angle. The monoplane is driven from a seat in the body of the frame as the Bleriot model, but moved slightly farther back. The rear horizontal rudder is controlled by a large wheel at the left of the pilot’s seat, while a corresponding wheel on the right controls the small hinged wings at the outer edge of the main plane. The pilot turns his airship from right to left by merely pressing two foot pedals connected with the vertical rudder in the rear. In the later models, the dihedral angle has been abandoned and the front planes set horizontally.
A Very Simple Monoplane for Beginners.
The most novel feature of the Antoinette model is the form and control of the rear rudders and stability planes. The model carries two vertical rudders for turning the craft to the right or left, and a large horizontal rudder for vertical steering, extending far out behind at the end of the main body. All of these rudders are triangular in shape, tapering to a point in the rear. The Antoinette has proved, it is believed, that the corners of square rudders may be removed, without affecting their guiding qualities, thus saving considerable surface and weight. It would seem, on general principles, that just the reverse would be the case. The builder of model aëroplanes may take a leaf from the log of this airship.
The Antoinette stability planes are placed just forward of the rudders, and are triangular in shape, but with somewhat narrow ends pointing toward the front. Two of these planes are carried horizontally and one vertically, the vertical planes being above the horizontals. The chief fault of this model is that the rear horizontal stability plane, being perfectly flat, exerts little lifting power. The method of warping the tips of the planes, the same as in the Wright aëroplane, works well with this model, and the flights, are as a rule, remarkable steady. The machine lands on wooden skids, carried well forward, connected with the frame by flexible joints. It is supported in the rear by two wheels under the center of the planes.
The Santos Dumont monoplane is, so far, the smallest and lightest monoplane to make a successful flight. It is the aëronautical runabout, and, although it has made no very extended air journeys, it has introduced several interesting features. Its owner has flown several miles across country in his little craft, housed it in an ordinary stable while making a call, and then, starting from the front lawn, flown home again without assistance of any kind. His machine may be counted upon to fly at the rate of about thirty-seven miles an hour. It weighs only 245 pounds without the pilot.
The main plane is set at an angle so that, seen from the front, the wings rise from the center, but later bend down toward the tips. The front or entering edge is also elevated to an unusually high degree, giving it the appearance of a rather flat umbrella. The pilot sits underneath this front plane just below the center. The stability of this plane is maintained by fixing the ends in the usual manner. The wires connecting with the ends of the planes, are carried to a lever which is attached to the pilot’s back. The pilot, therefore, without using his hands, but merely by swaying his body from side to side, can warp the planes and bring his craft to an even keel.
The Santos Dumont monoplane carries no regular stability plane at the rear, but depends for its support and guidance upon a small vertical and horizontal rudder at the end of its very short frame. These two rudders bisect one another, or in other words, half of the vertical rudder is above and half below the horizontal rudder, while half of the horizontal rudder is on one side and half on the other of the vertical rudder. They are attached to a single rigid framework, so that both move as a whole by means of a universal joint. The rudders, used for ascending and descending, are operated by a lever, while the rudders used for horizontal steering are controlled by a wheel.
