The wheels are taken from a toy wagon, and a pair of tin ears will serve as bearings for the axle. The sport of flying model aeroplanes has led to the formation of many clubs in this country as well as in Europe. Some of the mechanisms that have been devised, and some of the contrivances to make the models fly better and further, are illustrated in the drawings. [Illustration: At _A_ is shown a method of mounting the propeller with a glass or china bead to reduce friction, and a brass corner to aid in strengthening. _B_ shows a transmission of power by two spur wheels and chain. _C_ is a device for using two rubber twists acting on the two spur wheels _S_, _S_, which in turn are connected with the propeller with a chain drive. _D_ shows a launching apparatus for starting. _W_, the model; _V_, the carriage; _F_, the trigger guard; _T_, trigger; _E_, elastic cord for throwing the carriage forward to the stop _K_.] Records have been made which seem marvellous when it is considered that 200 feet is a very good flight for a model propelled by rubber. For instance, at the contest of the Birmingham Aero Club (England) in September, one of the contestants won the prize with a flight of 447 feet, lasting 48 seconds. The next best records for duration of flight were 39 seconds and 38 seconds. A model aeroplane which is “guaranteed to fly 1,000 feet,” according to the advertisement in an English magazine, is offered for sale at $15. The American record for length of flight is held by Mr. Frank Schober, of New York, with a distance of 215 feet 6 inches. His model was of the Langley type of tandem monoplane, and very highly finished. The problem is largely one of adequate power without serious increase of weight. Chapter XII. THE GLIDER. Aerial balancing--Practice necessary--Simplicity of the glider Materials--Construction--Gliding--Feats with the Montgomery glider--Noted experimenters--Glider clubs. It is a matter of record that the Wright brothers spent the better part of three years among the sand dunes of the North Carolina sea-coast practising with gliders. In this way they acquired that confidence while in the air which comes from intimate acquaintance with its peculiarities, and which cannot be gained in any other way. It is true that the Wrights were then developing not only themselves, but also their gliders; but the latter work was done once for all. To develop aviators, however, means the repeating of the same process for each individual--just as each for himself must be taught to read. And the glider is the “First Reader” in aeronautics.