Page:Sim popular-mechanics 1910-07 14 1.pdf/41



Having finished the steering arrangement it would be wise to take up the construction of the wings. The wings of the "Demoiselle" are made entirely of bamboo rods with bamboo or ash lateral beams as shown in Plate V. However, Clement Bayard, at whose factory in France these monoplanes are being manufactured, makes them of poplar or ash. Aluminum tubes have also been used. It would be advisable, however, to stick to the bamboo rods which served Santos-Dumont so well.

In order to secure the curves as shown at the top of Plate V, on the left, it would be sufficient to bend the rods over a form by force. They may also be bent by means of a string tied to the ends, drawing them together, and then plunging them into boiling water for about 15 minutes. The rods should be given plenty of time to dry before the strings are removed and they are placed in position. They will retain their shape if given time to dry, so no attempt should be made to hasten matters. If the builder desires to use wood he may proceed in like manner. The curve is almost the true arc of a circle.

It is not necessary to bend the rear lateral rod. It suffices to bend the one in front. The whole plane structure is kept rigid by guide wires running from the rods to the frame as shown in Plate I.

In order to attach the cloth to the extremities of the rods, it is not necessary to employ any other method than that shown at C, Plate III. This is the best method known. As with the steering device the front ends of the rods have to be covered by means of cloth hemmed over. This diminishes the friction of the air against the rods. Santos-Dumont has not always used the same method of attaching the cloth, but the method shown here is the one he used on the machine with which he made the famous flight, and is the method which the builder is advised to follow.

In the original flyer there was a rod just above the head of the pilot. It has been thought advisable, however, to leave this rod out. Santos-Dumont is quite short, and when he was in the pilot's seat, his head did not reach the rod. In the machines now being manufactured in France, the rod is omitted. The wings completed, it would be well to next undertake the construction of the frame. The wheels are easily made, for, save that they have a longer hub, they are very similar in construction to the