“The model consists of an extended surface, or aëroplane, of oiled silk or canvas, stretched upon a bamboo frame made rigid by trussing both above and below. A car is attached to the underside of the aëroplane to contain the steam engine, passengers, etc. It has three wheels to run freely upon when it reaches earth. Two propellers, three feet in diameter, are shown with their blades set at 45°. They are operated by endless cords from the engine. Behind these is a fan-shaped tail stretched upon a triangular frame capable of being opened out, closed, or moved up and down by means of cords and pulleys. By this latter arrangement ascent or descent was to be accomplished. A rudder for steering sideways is placed under the tail, and above the main aëroplane a sail was to be stretched between two masts rising from the car, to assist in maintaining the course. When in motion the front edge of the machine was to be raised in order to obtain the required air support. To start the model it was proposed to allow it to run down an incline—e.g., the side of a hill, the propellers being first set in motion. The velocity gained in the descent was expected to sustain it in its further progress, the engine overcoming the head resistance when in full flight. Experiments were eventually made on the Downs near Chard, in Somerset, and the night trials were abandoned, as the silk became saturated from a deposit of dew. After many day trials, down wide inclined rails, the model was found to be deficient in stable equilibrium for open-air experiments, little puffs of wind or ground currents being sufficient to destroy the balance. The actual machine was never constructed, but in 1847-48 F. Stringfellow built a model which is supposed to be the first flying machine to perform a successful flight.” PLATE XII. [Illustration: HENSON’S AËROPLANE.] [Illustration: ADER’S AËROPLANE. _Photo E. Levick, N. Y._]