HOW TO BUILD THE FAMOUS "DEMOISELLE"
SANTOS-DUMONT'S MONOPLANE
By ARTHUR E. JOERIN AND A. CROSS, A. M.
(Paris)
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FROM time to time vague descriptions of the manner of constructing aeroplanes have been given to the public. All over the United States there are thousands of persons who are intensely interested in the subject of aerial flight, but until now nothing of a tangible nature has been presented on which work could be started with a reasonable prospect of success. It is a great satisfaction therefore, to be able to present the working drawings of the wonderful monoplane invented by M. Santos-Dumont. As the authors point out, however, it would be useless for anyone not possessed of some mechanical skill, and plenty of common sense, to attempt to construct a copy of the famous flyer, even with such detailed workings and instructions. — THE EDITOR. |
FOLLOWING the announcement, made some months ago by Alberto Santos-Dumont that he intended to give the plans of his latest aeroplane, the "Demoiselle," to the world in the interest of aeronautics, great interest has been centered in the wonderful monoplane. It is the lightest and smallest of all heavier-than-air machines, yet is thoroughly practical. It was with this monoplane that the renowned aviator made a flight from St. Cyr to Buc. on the 13th of September last at a speed of 56 miles an hour.
This machine is better than any other which has ever been built, for those who wish to reach results with the least possible expense and with a minimum of experimenting. The plans which accompany this article are identical with those from which the machines are now being built in France.
As it would lead us too far from the purpose of this article if we were to take up at length such questions as the strength, flexibility, and resistance and other properties of materials we shall restrict ourselves to a description of the manner of constructing the flyer. It would be well, of course, for the prospective aviator to make himself acquainted with the subject of atmosphere as it applies to aeronautics, to have a good general knowledge of gasoline motors, and to study the properties and qualities of the different materials which enter into the construction of the monoplane.
It is clearly impossible to go into these subjects at any great length here, but the one who is ambitious to become thoroughly conversant with the subject of aerial navigation, will not fail to consult suitable books on these subjects. Of course the possession of plans is the basis without which it would be impossible to set about building the airship, but at the same time it is necessary to possess some mechanical skill and ability, and plenty of common sense.
In presenting the plans through Popular Mechanics Magazine we trust that no one of our readers will start to build unless he possesses these qualities, especially the latter, without which he will never be able to accomplish anything.
That the monoplane is the superior form of heavier-than-air machine is the opinion of a majority of the aviation experts. Biplanes and even triplanes have made wonderful flights. but no flying-machine ever built has
Copyright, 1910, by H. H. Windsor
