The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-21
PRAIRIE EAGLE
First Kansas MOnoplane Now
Being Constructed.
Jacques V. Mueller, of DOrraRce,
Russell County, Builder.
TO FLY IN TWO WEEKS
Machine Is Built of Hickory
Spruce and Walnut.
The Engine, Coming From Den.
yer, Weighs SO Pounds.

Salina, Kan, Feb. 21.-The first mon
oplane to be manufactured in Kansas.
end perhaps in the United States, is
now being put in readiness for a flight
at Dorrance. Russell county, Kan, 60
miles west of Salina. The various
pieces OF the monoplane have been as
sembled, and it has been christened
Prairie Eagle.
It will, according to the plans of the
manufacturers, Jacques V. Mueller
make its first flight in about two weeks
the exact date not having been set.
The Prairie Eagle is little different
from most of the flying machines which
have been exhibited in this country,
but Mr.. Mueller declares that 1t Will fly
without any possible doubt.
The Material of the Wings.
The wings of the Prairie Eagle are
constructed of poplar. soft pine, Oregon
spruce and bamboo and covered with
silk (soisette) on both sides. The d.
mansions Of the machine are z feet
across the wings and 25 feet front ara
aft. The total area of the wings IS
100 square feet. At the rear edge Oh
the outer ends of the wings are at
tached two extension wings, which can
be used to alight, to brake, to steer, to
balance, to descend and to initiate the
soaring of a bird. The contro, of the
machine rests With the steering of the
horizontal and vertical rudder- The
rudderS are intercroSSed and have great
stabilizing qualities. They are fasten-
the machine.
The mair body of the machine is built
of hickory, spruce and walnut The en-
tire frame work has been painted with
Shellac and aluminium. The front part
of the frame is built with four corners.
the rear part having only three poles
and the bracing is assisted by Damas-
Gus steel wires. The entire flying ma
chine rests on three bicycle wheels.
Propeller Blades of Walnut.
The propeller is six and a half feet
long, weighs II pounds and is built
very strongly. The blades are made Of
walnut the shaft of maple, strengthen
ed by sheetiron. The propeller will
make 5000 revolutions a minute, driven
by 80 horse power engine.
The engine. which is coming from
Denver, weighs Sc pounds. 1t has sew
en- cylinders and its motion Is rotary
It runs, according to Mr.. Mueller, With
out water, without fans and without
flywheeI, and he declares there will be
no hot running no vibrations, no noise.
The entire rllonoplane. ready to fly, con-
tanning fuel and pilot, will not weigh
more than 500 pounds and it will rise
from the ground at q speed of 80 miles
an hour, its inventor says. 1t will have
O. carrying capacity OF about hVe POUNDS
square foot. and it will carry 30O
pounds extra passenger weight besides
the pilot.
|. jacques v Mueller is 20 years of age.
He was born in the Grand Duchy OF
Luxembourg. He was educated at the
Athenaeum in the city of Luxembourg,
finishing at the age of is. when he came
to America the first time. He spent
some time visiting a sister in Kansas
City. In 1901 he came to Kansas &c
work in the harvest fields, and in 1901
he returned to the old country for two
and a half years. He says that while
in the old country he always dreamed OF
| flying machines and decided to some
| Cay build one.