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
Some interesting experiments have been made by placing several vertical
surfaces above the main stability plane. A series of four or six
vertical rudders are sometimes spaced apart at equal distances,
extending from the front to the rear edge, with a height of about half
their length. In some cases the corners are rounded off, while others
prefer to cut away the front edge sharply.
In the Vinet monoplane, the vertical fin appears in an entirely new
form. The fin is attached near the outer edge of the main plane and the
upper edges curled inward, forming an arc of a circle. The theory of the
curve is that it tends to keep the air from slipping off the ends, after
the manner of the curtains of the Vaison biplane.
As a rule, these curled fins are about three-fourths the depth of the
plane and are attached with the front ends on a line with the entering
edge of the plane. These curled planes may be stretched on frames of
light wire or thin reed. As the model tilts to one side, the air
striking the curved surface of the outer side of the fin meets with
little resistance, while the fin at the opposite side, acting with its
concave surface against the wind, offers considerably more resistance,
thus tending to check the side motion and bring the aeroplane to an even
keel.
An effective form of aileron consists of an "L" shaped plane set closely
against the rear corner of the main wing. These ailerons are made in
pairs and hinged to a rear edge. The side should extend about half the
width of the plane. The action of the hinged plane at the rear is, of
course, familiar.
The extension at the side, which should be kept rather narrow, not more
than one-fourth the depth of the main plane, is likely to prove very
efficient. If the aileron be turned too far either up or down it will
offer considerable resistance. In one of the new English models, these
ailerons are so connected that as one rises the opposite aileron is
lowered. Here is a fascinating field for experiment in automatic
control.
The vertical rudder used on the new Bleriot, the result of an immense
amount of experiment, suggests interesting possibilities for the model
builder. The rudder is built in the form of a long triangle and is
mounted by hinging one of its shorter sides to the upper surface of the
rear plane, so that its corner will extend upward and outward. In this
position it suggests a fish’s fin. The receding angle of the front edge
offers very trifling resistance.
The new Baby Wright racer depends for its lateral control largely upon a
novel form of rudders known as "blinkers." These rudders are triangular
in shape and extend out in front of and below the forward planes with
their longer edges forward. They act much the same as the jib of a
sailing vessel, and, because of their position well in front of the
center of gravity, act with considerable leverage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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