The Detroit times., 1908-08-06
|D|R|G IDLE BAG IN
SUCCESSFUL
FLIGHT
BALDWiN's BALLOON WITHIN A
BALLOON is SENT AGAINST
THE WIND AND BROUGHT uN.
DER CONTROL TO EARTH.

WASHINGTON, Aug. Capt
Baldwin made another successful
\ hight last evening at Fort Meyer in
his new dirigible balloon. The bal
loonet. a balloon within the balloon,
was tried for the first time Mr. Cur
uss. who again handled the planes
and the motor, Increased the speed
although the maximum was not at
tanned.
AT 6:29, after the balloon had been
rebalanced in accordance with the
conditions encountered Tuesday. the
start was made, but when 500 feet had
been covered, Mr.. Curtiss stopped the
motor, 1t having been found that the
gas bag was not taut. The balloon
was landed and the bag was made
taut by pumping air into the balloonet
Another ascension was made at 6 40
o'clock. AS Mr.. Curtiss increased the
speed OF the propeller, the airship In
the face or seven-mile breeze,
pitched forward like an ocean liner.
Several times the spectators gasped
as the ship careened at an angle of 20
degrees, at times almost standing on
Its pointed nose. 1t was then that the
utility OF the planes was demonstrat.
ea- When the ship plunged
downward. Mr.. Curtiss, stand
Ing On the platform 20 feet
from the propeller, which is a,
the forward end OF the frame. turned
the planes in the opposite direction
and the effect was quickly apparent.
Capt. Baldwins machine is the first
In America to be controlled entirely
by mechanical means. In the past
the dirigible balloon operator In this
country has maintained the balance
by swaying his body forward and
backward on the framework
Making various evolutions with and
against the wind, the airship was
brought down within a hundred feet
Of the tent in which II is housed. eight
minutes after leaving the ground. Mr..
Curtiss estimated that the speed was
Is miles an hour, 20 miles going with
the wind and 10 miles going against
It.
The object OF the short flight was
to allow the navigators to become
further acquainted with the behavior
OF the airship, 10 further test the
planes and the rudder, and TO deter |
mine the point of balance.
Mr.. Curtiss was enthusiastic over |
the action OF the planes. They |
worked just like an aeroplane." he
said. After Z have a seat placed in !
position from which can control
both the motor and the planes, and
after the tips are added 10 the rud- |
der, they will be easier to control"
Among those who Witnessed today's
flight were Capt VIM. w. Kimball.
who will make an Official report TO
the navy department; Brig. Gen. Jas.
Allen, chief signal officer; Maj. G. A.
Devol, of the general stan; Prof. Sam
uel A. King. of Philadelphia. who
made balloon flight recently, al.
though he is over so years old. Roy
Hnabensnue and Augustus Post, secre- |
tayy OF the Aero club of America.
Another preliminary flight will be |
made tomorrow
When informed OF the accident
which destroyed Count Zeppelins air
ship, CAPT. Baldwin said:
1T breaks my heart to hear such
news. This accident will have the eff |
feet OF Ietarding progress in aeron-
autics. lie Zeppelin balloon Is the
Great Eastern of the aerial sea. L
have always believed in Coun. Zeppe-
lin. ideas, as he outlined them to
me. His airship is the ship Cf the
future. he is far ahead of the times.
Such type of ship must be led UP
20 gradually"