Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/566

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��Popular Science Monthly

���Courtesy of Illustrated London News

Capable of accommodating sixteen passengers, or of carrying a heavy cargo of bombs, the Si- korsky biplane was the first aeroplane to be built of gigantic dimensions. At the outbreak of war this machine was the largest in the world, but its usefulness was handicapped by its

��struction that has been used consists largely of steel tubing, and the best practice in bridge work and structural engineering has been introduced, for the first time in aeroplane construction. All parts are interchangeable, and with the proper machinery, the aeroplanes can be manufactured in great numbers with great speed and at a very low cost. With this type of construction, machines of great size may be built which will have an unusually large factor of safety and great inherent stability.

��The first model of the Sturtevant all- steel battle-plane has a so-called turret (in reality a stationary streamline body) half-way out on each wing. In these turrets may be mounted heavy guns, and v\ time of peace they may be used for passengers or freight. The first trials of this new machine were most suc- cessful, and the designer, Grover C. Loening, former Aeronautic Engineer of the United States Army, has been awarded a medal by the Aero Club of America for his meritorious work.

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