Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1911-08-04

Joined together that the machine
is easily assembled and dissembled
and may be transported compactly
in two flat boxes which scarcely,
make one full wagon load. n
The wing panels are made up
with a light and strong wooden
framework covered with linen
cloth especially made and treated
for the purpose. The curved ribs
are "built up' strongly by sys-
TEN Of trusting which gives them
strength. and covreed both top
and bottom. By substituting
panels of different size, changes
which may be made in few min
utes, the aeroplane may be especi-
ally adapted for speed or for
weight carrying, according as the
lifting surface is decreased or in
creased.
Light and strong bamboo rods
extending to the front and rear
Of the main planes support the
elevator, or forward horizontal
surface, which acts as a rudder to
steer upward and downward, and
the rear vertical rudder and rear
elevators and stabilizing plane.
Front and rear elevators work in
conjunction so that as the front Of
the machine is directed up, the
rear of the machine is pressed by
the two rear elevators, each Of
which is controlled by an indi-
vidual set Of cables. Front and
rear elevators are also used to
maintain the fore and aft balance
of the machine in flight.
Manipulation of the elevators
and the vertical rudder is accom-
plished by a single steering post
at the top of which is the steering
wheel. Turning the wheel to the
right or left steers the aeroplane
as a boat or an automobile is
steered, while pushing the wheel
forward directs the machine down
ward and pulling the wheel has
the opposite effect. Every feature
Of the Curtiss system of control is
in accord with the natural Impulse
of the operator.
To maintain the lateral balance
of the aeroplane, there are small
movable planes or ailerons, at
tached to the ends of the main
framework midway between the
upper and lower plane at the
rear. These ailerons are so ar
ranged that as one sa aings upward
the other swings downward at the
back, thus giving an upward pres
sure of air under the one while the
other is depressed by the air.
This movement is controlled by 6
seat frame or yoke fitting around
the shoulders of the aviator in
such a way that he leans always to
the high side of the aeroplane
when it tilts in order to correct
its balance The device is said to
be one of MIR. Curtiss' most in
genious contrivances, and involves
a movement identical with that of
balancing a bicycle.
The motors with which the Cur
tiss military and cross.country
models are equipped are of the
eight-cylinder ''V Snapped" type.
developing sixty horsepower. and
the propeller is attached directly
to the motor shaft, thus doing
away with gearing which con.
sumes power, increases the risk of
breakage and decreases reliability.
The speed of the motor is con.
trolled by a throttle opened and
closed by movement of the left
foot. The single propeller of the
Curtiss machineIis becoming uni
versally recognized as a very i'm
portant safety feature.
The seat for the aviator is we'll
forward Of the planes. giving him
clear view, not only .ahead, but
also straight downward. sss,On the
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