Page:Aerial Flight - Volume 2 - Aerodonetics - Frederick Lanchester - 1908.djvu/55

 of which is given in Fig. 28. In all probability this idea is based on the superficial resemblance an aerodrome possesses to a kite, the suspended weight being considered as the analogue of the kite string ; or, perhaps it is from endeavouring to follow the lines of an aerostat that this type has arisen, the aeroplane or aerofoil being regarded as a simple substitute for the gas bag.

The relative advantage of the centric and acentric types of aerodone is a question that has not been thrashed out ; it is

Fig. 28. probable that the latter without possessing any advantages whatever, possesses certain grave disadvantages which will be better understood in the light of the subsequent investigations. The acentric arrangement also results in some considerable complication from a theoretical standpoint apart from its demonstrable failings.

The acentric type is not found in nature to any marked degree, except perhaps in the case of some birds that are inveterate rameurs, when the gliding position is sometimes with