Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1909-03-26
,SLboRGITE i
A FLYIh Z MACHlN4

aas invented an aeroplane OF the
half-cylinder design In which he as
serts are embodied elements OF safe
ty, speed, practicability and endur-
ance superior to those OF any ma
chimes yet manufactured, not exclud-
ing the Wright brothers airships.
So confident are the friends OF the
machine in its ability to outdo its
thousands Of rivals Of the air, that
work has already been commenced
on a full-size craft Of the design and
the first flight will be attempted
during the Portland Rose Festival.
The big machine will be named after
Roseburg.
Mr.. Wagner, though not an ayia-
tor, for 10 years has studied aero
nautics, and declares that as result
he has copied as nearly as possible
the means by which birds fly as prin-
eiples of his invention. Mr.. Wagner
Is a mechanical engineer.
Local engineers who have viewed
the 10-foot model have, without ex-
ception, declared it to surpass theo-
retically any other design now be-
fore the public eye. Its practi-
cabllity can only be determined by
trial, but there are few who believe
it otherwise than as perfect practic-
ally as theoretically.
The aeroplane Of the full-size ma
chine, now under way, will be forty
feet in length 1t will be in the
shape of a half-cylinder and will
probably be constructed Of alumni
UNI Directly beneath the aeroplane
canopy will be the propelling power,
and entirely new and novel idea.
Twelve silk sails, each having
wind surface of 80 square feet, will
be run on endless cables lengthwise
under the hood. Six sails will be
forcing back the air at all times,
while the remaining half-dozen run
back to the starting point lying per-
tectly flat under the plane and Of
tering no back resistance. AS one
sail having ended its vertical, re-
sistive course, Is swung up to run
back to the starting point in hori-
Zontal position, another will descend
chop off its portion of the air, and
run forward over the 40-foot stretch
at speed of about 80 miles an hour
Four hundred and eight square feet
of sail surface being propelled to a
9O-mile an hour speed, will be in the
air at all times
Swung some distance below the
aeroplane and driving device, will be
the basket or cage, directly beneath
the center of the main machine
This makes 1t impossible for the
craft to capsize, and also allows the
aeroplane to act as a parachute. In
the basket will be a 36-horse power
gasoline engine, weighing SO pounds.
and space for three men. The motor
will be connected to the sail chains
With two belts. From the basket
the whole machine can be controlled.
the plane and sail mechancism tilt
ed up or down at will, the cage
swinging as a pendulum, and the
rudders operated.
The plan of fitting the entire up-
per surface of the machine when II
's desired to descend or ascend, does
away with a mass Of heretofore
troublesome steering gear. and Is
original with Mr.. Wagner. What
ever the angle of the aeropane. the
carriage is always In horizontal
position. Its swinging weight pro-
hibits the machine from capsizing.
The new machine will weigh
about 500 pounds, or about 5000
pounds less than the Wright bro
thers craft, and other inventors
ships. 1t will have more motive
power in comparison with its weight
than any other machine patented.
The Wagner Aeroplane Co.. with
capital stock Of 100000, has been
Incorporated under the laws of the
state OF Oregon, Mr. Wagner is
president, j. A. Randall, treasurer
and II, McConaughy. secretary
stock is not ON sale.
II the machine makes successful
Tight in Portland during the Rose
FESTIVAL 1t is the intention OF the
owners to take It to Seattle during
the A-l-P exposition and there enter
1t In competition with number of
machines.