The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1912-01-27
Fighting
Machine
Aerial Machine Which is Expected to
Work Wonders.

Army people interested in avia-
ton are keenly watching the evolu-
ton of an armored fighting
monoplane which is being built as
an experiment at the factory OF the
Sloane Aeroplane Company at S2S|
Belmont avenue, Brooklyn.
The great French pioneer patron
of aviation, M. Deutsch de la
Muerthe, recently has acquired a
monoplane which is probably the
most luxurious and elaborate pas
senger air vehicle ever built. The
plans were drawn by Bleriot, and
the flying machine was built in the
Bleriot factory. The car, or cab,
of the aeroplane is exactly like the
cab on an automobile. The body
was built by the ROthschild firm,
one of Europe's most celebrated
carriage artists. The aviator, like
the chauffeur, sits outside of the
cab.
But this craft was simply built
for comfort and luxury. 1t has
flown a small distance in order to
demonstrate that it is feasible. The
craft being built at the Sloane fact
ory is purposed entirely for practical
work. Luxury is no consideration.
Comfort is regarded only SO far as it
is essential to the work of the men
who are on military fOray.
The Sloane craft is the idea OF
John E. Sloane, young engineer
of means, who lives in Montclair,
N. J. In his aeroplane he follows
the standard lines Of the familiar
Rleriot monoplane. The size of the
craft is about the same as the
ordinary Bleriot. The difference
between this machine and the usual
exhibition craft lies in it's car. The
car, or body of the craft, will be
entirely inclosed and covered with a
light armor. The place where the
aviator usually sits will be convert
ed into long, torpedo-like cab.
The craft is designed wholly as a
fighting machine and for this reason
it will carry two passengers. The
armored cab in which they will ride
will be blunt at-the front end and
gradually taper in hextagon shape
to the extremity of the tail. This
formation is supposed to give less
resistance and create less disturb
ance in the air as the aeroplane
darts forward. The air closes easily
upon the tapering body and is sup
posed actually by means OF reaction
to help push the craft forward.
The fact that this result is obtained
by such form was discovered by
A. L. Pfitzner, the Hungarian avi-
ator, who built the Curtis motor.
The car will have port holes cov-
cred with mica in the bottom, at
each side and in front. Most of
the top will consist OF a mica super
structure inside of the armor. The
armor, LIE inch in thickness, will
be arranged in movable plates that
slide back and forth, SO as to give
the occupants Of the car an oppor-
tunity to scan their surroundings at
will.
Adjustable binocular glasses will
be fixed to some of the port holes,
which will make the work of obser-
vation very easy for the scouts.
The cab will also be pierced with
rifle ports, through which the de-
Tending scout can thrust his noise
less gun and attack the aeroplane
sent out by the enemy. An effort
will be made to provide way Of
absorbing any shock of rifle recoil
Under the car there will be affixed
a bomb-throwing device similar to
the apparatus being tested in France
by the American, Lieutenant Riley