In addition to the framing proper there are two guy-posts which fit into the sockets CC, and over which truss wires are drawn, as shown in the side view in Plate [27A]. These posts have a length of 730 mm. from the lower edge of the socket, and are capped at their lower extremity by a light steel ferrule whose outside diameter is 10 mm.

From the drawing of the wings of No. 5, shown in Plate [17], it will be seen that they are formed of two pine rods 15 mm. in diameter at the inner ends, tapering to a half circle of the same diameter at the tips. These rods are connected by eleven spruce ribs measuring 8 mm. × 3 mm., and curved, as shown in the side elevation, these, in turn, being covered by a light white silk drawn so tightly as to present a smooth, even surface. The total length of the wing is 2 metres, and the width over all is 805 mm. Vertical stiffness is obtained in the wings by a series of guy-wires, which pass over light struts resting upon the main rods. These main rods are inserted and held in the wing clamps A and B, Fig. 16, and make an angle of 150° with each other. As is the case with all other essential details of the aerodrome, a great deal of time and attention was given to the designing of the wing clamps before a satisfactory arrangement was secured.

To enable it to control the aerodrome in both directions, the tail-rudder, Plate [27A], has both a horizontal and a vertical surface, the approximate dimensions of which are, length 115 cm. (3.8 feet), maximum width 64 cm. (2.1 feet), giving each quarter section an area of about 0.64 sq. m. (6.9 sq. ft.). It is given the proper angle and degree of elasticity in a vertical direction by the flat hickory spring, which fits into the clamp N, and attaches the rudder to the frame.

The only other attachments of the aerodrome are the reel, float, and counter. They have nothing whatever to do with the flying of the machine, and are [p120] merely safety appliances to insure its recovery from the water. The reel consists of a light spool on which a fine cord is wound, one end of which is attached to a light float that detaches itself and lies upon the surface of the water when the machine sinks, while the other end is fastened to the spool that goes down with the aerodrome. The “float” is a light copper vessel with conical ends which is firmly fastened to the midrod, and which is intended to so lower the specific gravity of the whole machine that it will not sink. The cylindrical portion of this float has a length of 250 mm. and a diameter of 170 mm., one cone having a length of 65 mm. and the other and front one a length of 140 mm., which makes the total length of the float 375 mm. It is made of very thin copper, and served in the successful trials not only as a float to sustain the machine on the surface of the water, but also as a weight by which the center of gravity was so adjusted that flight was possible.

The counter records the number of revolutions of the propellers after launching. It is a small dial counter, reading to 10,000, with a special attachment which prevents any record being made of the revolutions of the propellers, until the actual moment of launching, when a piece on the launching apparatus throws the counter in gear at the instant that the aerodrome leaps into the air.

DESCRIPTION OF AERODROME NO. 6

Aerodrome No. 6, it will be remembered, was the outgrowth of a number of changes made in No. 4 during the fall of 1895 and the early part of 1896. In this reconstruction the aim was to lighten the whole machine on account of the smaller engines in either No. 4 or No. 5. The modifications from No. 4 were so radical and the differences that exist between Nos. 5 and 6 are so considerable as to demand careful attention.

As regards general appearance the frame of Aerodrome No. 6 resembles that of No. 5 in consisting of a single continuous midrod of steel tubing, 20 mm. in diameter, 0.5 mm. thick, immediately beneath which the hull containing the machinery is situated. In reconstructing the framework after the tests in January, 1896, had shown it to be dangerously weak, especially against torsion, it was decided to make the hull only strong enough to carry its contents and to attach it to the stronger midrod in such a way that all torsional strains would be taken up by it, whereas in No. 5 the hull structure must bear a large proportion of such strains. It was therefore built throughout of 8-mm. tubing, 0.3 mm. thick, and was rigidly attached to the midrod by braces at the front and rear, and also at the cross-frame. The hull was also made narrower (except at the rear, where it was widened to contain the boiler) and shorter than the hull of No. 5—an advantageous change made possible by the fact that the engines were not contained in the hull, but mounted on the transverse frame.

PL. 28. STEEL FRAME OF AERODROME NO. 6, ON LAUNCHING CAR [◊] [lgr]