The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-11-02
M0N0P[ANE MAN OF
.LAK07A IS IN
THE CITY
H. J. Smith Another of North
Dakota's Aviators, Has
Machine on Exhibition

Dakota's Aviators, Has
Machine on Exhibition
North Dakota has produced a mum.
Der of %aviators. but the latest to make
good is H. ]. Smith of Lakota. He
Is at the present time in the city and
has his specially designed and built
monoplane. the ARROW" on exhibi-
ton at the Leslie Stinson garage.
MIR. Smiths machine has been the
object Of considerable interest today
as it is the first of the monoplane type
to be seen in this city. He built the
air craft himself and DOL about a
year in doing it. Not only did he
make the plane but he made the en-
CINE which heretofore had been used
to propel 1t. - 80
Mr.. Smith. who is about 40 years
Of age, came to North Dakota from
Minneapolis. about eight years ago
and opened a blacksmith and repair
worked out a number Of models of
various machines. n about five years
ago, made an automobile with an en-
CINE of his own manufacture that for
two. or three years was faster than
any machine owned in that city.
About two years ago he became in
terested in a%eroplanes n about a
year, & started to build his mono
plane. During the summer just past
he, tried 1t out at a number of differ
emit occasions. The construction Of
the plane is feasible. but he lacked
the necessary power to make 1t a sue
cess: The longest flight he mace was
about half a mile and at the height
OF about.f forty feet
In these. tests an engine developing
about fifteen horse. power was used
for propelling the craft and with the
small power he did. not dare make
any spectacular flights.
The Arrow is built after the plan
Of other monoplanes but has a great
many improvements. The tail or body
is 81 feet Z inches In length and is
build Of a combination of steel tub
ing and wood. The engine is mount
ed OF the front. the propeller pulling
instead of. pushing the plane. The
from tip to tip INC five feet wide, is
mounted in such a manner that the
weight is below it. making the craft
more stable than the large majority
of monoplanes in use.
Boat Compartment
A boat shaped compartment is pro-
vided for the aviator. the aelirons.
the elevator. rudder and everything
connected with the running of the
craft is manipulated by the double
system of Steering wheels. An inn
proved shock absorber made by Mr..
Smith is also used. The inventor of
the plane states that he has a sys-
tenn which he will use when the planes
are manufactured that will add greatly
to the stability of the craft.
Mr.. Smith states hat some time this
winter he intends to take his mono
plane to st. Louis. where he has been
rendered an attractive offer towards
the erection of a factory. "A number
of local. men have interested them
selves, in the enterprise, but 1t would
be hardly possible to manufacture the
ma chines here owing to. the winter
months. when no trying out could be
done.
The aeroplane is on exhibition at
the Leslie Stinson garage OF Fourth
street and the public is cordially in
vited to inspect it. No charge Is
made.
Dakota Has Many
The state Of North Dakota has pro-
duced a aviators with Tom Nc
0Ocy VI I'LL CITY plo0dO4y n LA
greatest success of the flying. business.
The history of the Mccoy biplane
and the success which the local man
has met with. is common property.
Among the others in the state who
have gone in for aviation can be num-
bered LUCKY Bob st. Henry, who is
employed by the Curtiss people. He
number Of years and ever since he en-
tered into the flying game. has lone
most Of his exhibition work in North
Dakota.
Walter Dorman of Minot is another
enthusiast. Last spring he purchas-
ed a Bleriot type monoplane and al
though he met with considerable hard
with considerable excitement in the
aviation line.
Have Wind Wagon
r. w. Ross and r. H. Voss of Man.
dan have also interested themselves in
the aeroplane business. Last spring
while driving along n of the Morton
county roads. the steering gear on the
over the side. of. a bridge. the machine
catching fire and being badly burn
ed before the blaze could be extin-
guished.
with what was left Of the automo-
bile the two young men built a wind
wagon, using h automobile engine
and frame. They took out the trans
mission and running shaft back from
the fly wheel, and attached a sprocket
wheel. A sprocket wheel above on
another shaft was provided and a
large seven foot aeroplane propeller
was secured. This furnished sufficient
power to drive the machine. which
was put on exhibition at the Missouri
valley fair. At that time a speed of
forty-eight miles an hour was at
tanned on the half mile track.
: The automobile driven: by an aero
plane propeller alone started them in
the aviation fever. Ross Is at the pres
emit time in the east studying the art
of flying and Voss will leave some time
this winter for New York where he
will attend the Moisant school Of avia-
tion.