The Second Boys' Book of Model Aeroplanes — John Shaqi
The Second Boys' Book of Model AeroplanesCollins, Francis A. (Francis Arnold)
Science
The Second Boys' Book of Model Aeroplanes
Collins, Francis A. (Francis Arnold)
Airplanes -- Models
The rapid development of the model aeroplane was shown particularly in
the spectacular flights. The thrilling volplanes and daring aerial feats
of the famous air pilots were imitated by the model aeroplanes. The
models were made to dart about at unexpected angles, and, while keeping
clear of the ground, perform many astonishing feats. The prize for these
spectacular flights was won by Henry Ragot whose aeroplane actually
looped the loop repeatedly, in obedience to skilful adjustment of the
planes and weights.
In launching the model for this flight, the model was held well above
the ground and launched at a sharp upward angle. It rose with
astonishing speed, in a vertical line, fully twenty feet, when it turned
and descended with accelerated speed. The crowd naturally expected a bad
smash, but with a good clearance of the ground the model suddenly swept
around in a narrow semicircle, rose and repeated the performance. It
seemed to many spectators that the model was enjoying a miracle of good
luck, but they were mistaken. The flight was repeated several times.
Indoor aviation was an instantaneous success.
Unless well-thought-out rules are carefully observed, a public
exhibition may fall into confusion, and be seriously marred. A large
audience grows quickly impatient of delays between flights. There is, of
course, the danger that the models will follow each other too quickly,
perhaps collide in the air. The distance and spectacular flights again
must be kept separate.
The rules followed by the New York Model Aero Club in these exhibitions
worked well in practice. First of all, the floor was kept absolutely
clear except for the director of the flights, who took up a position at
the center. The distance flights started from one corner only, and the
spectacular nights from the center of one side, the weight-lifting
contest from another corner.
An official starter, a measurer, and an entry clerk are stationed at
each point from which the flights are started. When a model was wound up
ready for a flight, a starter waved a small flag to attract the
attention of the director out on the floor. From his vantage point, the
director could see if the floor was clear and signaled to the starter to
go ahead. He blew a whistle by way of signal, one blast for the start of
a weight-lifting contest, two for a distance flight, and three for a
spectacular flight.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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