Much has been learned about motors. It has been found that the rubber motor is capable of great development. Since a flight of one-half a mile may be made by twisted bands of rubber, the average model builder may be content to let clock work and miniature gasoline engines take care of themselves. By building and flying thousands of models, we have found what form of rubber strand is best, just how heavy the strands should be, and the most efficient point of winding. Instead of short heavy bands, we now use much longer and more slender motors. The efficiency of rubber motors has been greatly increased by arranging them in series and connecting them up by gear wheels. It is even possible to buy miniature gasoline motors suitable for model aeroplanes. Flights of more than one mile have been made in this way.
All the best models this year are equipped with twin propellers. It is very little more trouble to build two motors than one, and the model thus equipped will not only travel much further, but will insure much more stable flights. A common trouble in model building has been the lack of stability. Your model has been likely to capsize, even under favorable conditions, spoiling the flight, while a chance gust of wind would knock it out of its course in spite of everything you could do. To overcome this tendency, the surface of the planes might be increased, but this added to the weight of the model, thus cutting down the length of the flights. The twin propellers cut at the root of the problem. They balance the thrust, thus making the flight even and stable. The planes may also be made much smaller with a gain in weight which, in turn, lengthens the flight.
A variation on a familiar form.
An excellent model designed and built by H. Wakkins.
CHAPTER II MODEL AEROPLANE TOURNAMENTS
Within the year, exhibitions and contests of model aeroplane flights have become an established form of entertainment. The attractions of the flights of man-carrying machines are borrowed in a large measure by the model aeroplanes. The building of models has progressed so rapidly, bringing the little air-craft under such control, that a definite program of flights may now be carried out. The programs may be considerably varied to include distance flights, weight-lifting contests, and spectacular flights in which the models loop the loop and perform other amazing feats.
The first formal exhibition or professional appearance of the model aeroplane in public as an entertainment was made in connection with the first aviation meet held at Asbury Park, New Jersey. Two of the most successful model builders, Percy Pierce and Frank Schoeber, of the New York Model Aero Club, were engaged to give exhibition flights for one hour a day in the intervals between the flights of Arch Hoxey, Johnston and other aviators of the Wright Brothers staff.
