Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-11
BIRD OF AN AERoPLANE.
Leaves Ground Abruptly, Under Its
Own Power, and Won't Capsize.

There are few model aeroplane
builders who do not look to the practi-
cal side of model aeroplanes building
them as me toys for amusement said
X. W. Ketchum, an aeroplane builder.
''if you are a model aeroplane builder
who builds models just for the mere pur
pose Of amusement, then you are not
striving for the practical side in view.
YOU are seeking knowledge of aeronau-
tics2 If so, it would not be advisable
to adhere to and tolerate impractical
models.
The following is an aercplane of sci
entife principles, designed and built by
myself, which has proved successful. If
you follow the given directions closely
your model, when completed. will right
itself if turned upside down and contin-
ne It's flight II VIII also rise directly
from the ground under its own power
| that is, it does not run along the ground
to mount the air, but directly, like a
bird.
The following list of materials
should be purchased at your nearest
| model aeroplane supply company, if it
cannot be purchased in your city. The
model IS simple in construction, but
should be punt with care.
-Four feet of straight grained select
ed wood, sc inch square by Il inches
hong; two pieces of poplar wood one
eighth of an inch thick by 3 inches wide
and IA inches long; twenty-four inches
of one sixteenth rattan; one-half yard of
light silk (white): one foot Of aluminium
strip cut three sixtcenths of an inch
wide by one sixteenth of an inch thick:
one dozen screws one fourth inch long;
two ct of brass spring wire, one thir-
ty-second of an inch size; six feet Of
good English para rubber strand. one
sixteenth inch square. The total cost
of material will amount to about so
cents.
You will, no doubt, have fishing
pole somewhere about the house; if so
saw off piece near the butt and be-
tween two knots. The first step in the
| construction of the aeroplane is to cut
two 12-ineh pieces from your three six
teenths inch wood. Now, cut from the
| same wood four pieces three fourths of
an inch long. Lay the two =
inch pieces on the table, and fit in be-
| tween one of the three fourths inch
| pieces at one end.
stick back one incn. Then lay another
three fourths inch piece between the tvs
II inch pieces so that the rear corner
will exactly fit even with the line drawn
one inch back Tack these pieces to-
gether with thin brads.
DO the same on the opposite end.
Then cut off piece of your aluminium
strip tire and one half inches long.
Bend to the shape and dimension need
ed
Then drill holes for screws and pro-
peler shaft. The holes for the propell-
CT shaft should be just large enough
for tie propelled shaft. so that it Will
turn easily Now bend another piece
one and one half inches long, as shown
in figure I, and drill holes. After you
have done this attach the bent strip
for propeller hanger to the frame and
the same with the rear hook hanger.
Next cut two pieces of silk four and
one fourth inches by Il inches and two
and one fourth inches by four and one
fourth inches. Now strain two 14-ineh
pieces of rattan to the shape shown in
figure 3. Attach these two rattan wing
supports to frame by No. so gage timed
steel wire, as shown in figure 6. They
should be placed one and half inches
back from the front of the frame. Then
cut two strips of bamboo from your
piece which you sawed off, y inches
long, one eighth an inch wide and one
sixteenth inch thick.
"Sandpaper and steam them to the
shape and dimensions shown in figure I.
Attach them directly beneath the main
rlu IN of Tho idle of the two
II inch pieces which form the main sup
port frame. NOW make hook of
piece of your brass wire one and three
fourtns inches long. This is the rear
strand hook Then cut from one of your
fourteen inch poplar strips three pieces
four incnes long. Do the same with the
other 14-nch piece.
These 4-inch strips are the lamina-
.tons for your propeller Mark off light
~ the center botn ways on eRch of these
strips. Then place them one on top of
The other, being sure that they all fit to-
sether evenly Now drive a thin brad
through them all at once making sure
you drive it through the exact center.
Between each lamination put some &C.
ment-Amberold Universal cement pre-
ferred. Now put these between a vise
screw up fairly tight and allow them to
stand one hour
After they are dry cut out your pro
pelier and sandpaper very carefully
The blades should be cut down to one
sixteenth of an inch thick. Now cut
two pieces of silk four and one fourth |
by four and one fourth and sew them to |
the two equiliorizers thai are attached |
to the frame beneath the main plane |
Sew also the pieces of silk IL and one
half by four and one half to the main |
plane.
You may now cut piece of bamboo |
II inches by one sixteenth by one six |
teenth. steam this To shape, wire on the |
frame and sew the silk on it that you
have already cut four and one fourth by |
two and one fourth. Now you are ready |
to complete propeller. Cut off a piece |
of your brass wire two inches long. |
Push one end of the wire through the |
hole in the center of the propeller until
.l.out one inch protrudes out of the OPP /,
posite end. MA
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