It is assumed that the reader is familiar with "The Boys' Book of Model Aeroplanes." Some knowledge of the history of aviation and the early models, big and little, will be found helpful, but not essential, as a preparation for the present volume.

Within the year so much has been learned of the science of model aeroplane construction that an entirely new and more detailed treatment of the subject seems to be justified. Since the length of model aeroplane flights has been increased ten times, their improvement is comparable to that of the large man-carrying machines. The science has become more exact, and the chance of failure reduced, until to-day successful flights are within the reach of all.

In the preparation of this volume thanks are due to the New York Model Aero Club, to Mr. Edward Durrant, Percy Pierce, Cecil Peoli, W. S. Howells, Jr., and to the young gentlemen whose models are illustrated herewith, who, singly and collectively, are doing much for the development of the science in America.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

CHAPTER I MODEL AEROPLANES OF 1911

For the average boy there is no more stirring music than the brisk, whirring note of his model aeroplane. Let the propellers spin steadily for ten glorious seconds, and the journey spans a couple hundred feet or more. Double the time and the flight becomes a triumph. Out of the ingenuity of thousands of boy aviators, the world over, has come a surprising development of the model aeroplane. The experimental stage is passed. Any bright boy may now build a model aeroplane which is certain to give results. The distance qualities of your model may even rival your endurance as a runner in keeping pace with it.

Working along different lines, the builders of model aeroplanes, widely scattered, seem to be gradually developing much the same type of air craft. The tendency is toward the construction of much lighter and more logical models than last year. In place of the complicated models supported by several broad planes, we find the most successful amateur aviators expending all their ingenuity upon simple monoplane forms. The biplane forms are being abandoned by model builders, as well as the biplane form of elevating planes. In place of the models made from fifty or more members, we now find excellent models, capable of much longer flights, formed of but a dozen pieces. The builders of model aeroplanes are keeping pace with the development of the man-carrying machines, if they are not passing them, in developing the flying machine of the future.

Improvement in the distance qualities of the model aeroplanes, in the past few months, has been remarkable. At one of the first model aeroplane tournaments, held in New York, less than two years since, the longest flight was under sixty feet. In less than one year, flights of more than 200 feet had become common. To-day the improved racing model aeroplanes have flown more than 2,500 feet. As a result of the labors of the boy aviators, it is much easier to build a successful model flying machine to-day than it was a year ago.