A flight of 265 feet was made at a New York tournament by Stewart Easter, the model rising from the ground under its own power. This was made diagonally across the hall as far as it could go. Many flights have been made at the New York meets in which models have flown the entire length of the hall and struck the further wall with their motors far from run down. In other words, model aeroplanes have reached a state of development where they have outgrown the largest indoor enclosures available for flying.
CHAPTER XIV AMONG THE MODEL BUILDERS
A number of model aeroplane builders in America have developed distinctive designs which have come to be accepted as standard types. Among thousands of boy amateurs these models are looked upon much as, in the larger field of aeronautics, the Wrights, Curtiss, or Bleriot are accepted as authoritative. Like the famous designers and pilots of man-carrying craft this younger generation of designers give their names to their machines. Our young designers, as a rule, confine themselves to developing a particular type of machine. A comparison of the models of the same builder for a year or more will usually show that the same general form and arrangement of the planes remain the same.
The Percy Pierce model, which borrows the name of its designer, is probably the best known of these model aeroplanes. The designer is a New York schoolboy seventeen years of age, who has won distance records both for indoor and outdoor flying. His machines rise from the ground under their own power. The Pierce model of 1911 is equipped with wings much narrower than those used last year, spaced well apart on a four-foot frame. The planes, which are slightly flexed, are covered with silk, or bamboo paper drawn taut and varnished. Twin propellers of high pitch are used and the motors are carried above the planes. They are wound more than five hundred times. The planes are carried beneath the main frame. Directional stability is obtained by carrying back the edges of the rear plane and by a vertical rudder placed beneath. The model is mounted on skids of bent reed and is elevated very slightly above the horizontal. It starts off very fast, often leaving the ground within five feet. The model reaches its maximum altitude, traveling at an angle equivalent to its position at starting, and maintains its height throughout its flights.
The later Pierce machines, while preserving the same general lines, are considerably lighter and have developed surprising distance qualities. The planes are made of light lath or bamboo covered with specially prepared paper, while the pitch of the propellers has been increased as has the power. The latest models have flown for 1,600 feet.
Another prize-winning model which has attracted considerable attention of late is the aeroplane designed and built by Cecil Peoli. It shows an intelligent appreciation of the principles involved and excellent workmanship. It is a monoplane, flying with the smaller plane forward, and has recently flown for nearly 1700 feet. Planes are used with both silk or paper covering. The success of the model is largely due, no doubt, to the careful workmanship and finish of the planes.
The models are usually high powered and are driven by twin propellers of high pitch, carved from especially designed blanks. The aeroplane rises very quickly and will successfully combat a high wind. It is doubtless due to this fact that the model has won in a contest for altitude. It has repeatedly flown over a thousand feet. It does not follow, of course, that the beginner can equal these records since much depends upon the skilful adjustment of the model which comes only with experience.
Another prize-winning aeroplane which has been much admired is the Leslie Robinson model. This model, which is of an original design, makes long and remarkably stable flights. In no other model has metal been used so extensively in construction. The propellers are made of aluminum as is the framework of the planes. Both planes are built in the proportion of about one to five, the smaller wing being carried forward. A novel feature of this model is the turned wing tips of both planes, which are slightly tapered and bent upward and outward at a slight angle. The model is beautifully finished in every detail.
Skids of reed are used and the model is tilted upward sharply at an angle of nearly forty-five degrees. The motors, three feet in length, are composed of ten strands of square rubber, which will take about 400 turns. The model rises quickly at a sharp angle but soon comes to a horizontal position and flies with great steadiness. It weighs complete, ready for flight, nine ounces. Its metal construction makes it very durable and proof against many of the smaller accidents. The later machines have been equipped with geared motors, which work well in practice.
The models built and flown by H. L. Watkins always give a good account of themselves. A comparison of the Watkins models of 1910 and 1911 shows that their inventor has kept closely to his original design and has made remarkable progress in lightening his machine while keeping it sufficiently strong to support two powerful motors. The wings have been cut down in size and made extremely light, the smaller wing being set well forward. Directional stability is gained by a small vertical and horizontal rudder, carried far in the rear of the rear main plane. Every part of the frame is kept extremely light. The model complete weighs but four ounces.