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(...) So... by today's standards, the Wright Bros. invented the *Motor-glider*, and brazilian inventor Santos-Dumond invented the *Airplane*. I only say this cuz' the WB control system *was not used in subsequent Airplanes* - I mean, it is not (...) (22 years ago, 17-Dec-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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| | Re: Historical fudging...
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(...) That's why you make composite wings ;-) Actually, current research is moving away from the "ugly" or "dirty" flaps to wings that flex. Less drag, more control. -- Tom Stangl ***(URL) Visual FAQ home ***(URL) Bay Area DSMs (22 years ago, 18-Dec-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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(...) That's a good question. It seems to me that he should get greater recognition, but would he have built the control system if the Wright brothers hadn't invented the motor-glider? If he would have, then there's no question that his name should (...) (22 years ago, 18-Dec-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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| | Re: Historical fudging...
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(...) Santos-Dumond was a rich brazilian living in France since the late 19th century; he was a passionate of air-gizmos, and developed numerous baloons and blimps before attempting to build an airplane (first version from 1901, IIRC - at the very (...) (22 years ago, 18-Dec-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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| | Re: Historical fudging...
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(...) Hmmm... wouldn't composite wings prove too costly for large passenger planes? They sure look like they can improve performance, and that is an invaluable factor when we are talking about fighter-jets (for instance). But would the increased (...) (22 years ago, 18-Dec-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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| | Re: Historical fudging...
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(...) I suspect aircraft are expensive either way. The real question I would have is what would the psychological impact be on passengers who look out and see the wing of the aircraft bending up and down a lot? They might get additionally unnerved (...) (22 years ago, 18-Dec-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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| | Re: Historical fudging...
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(...) The article I was reading was mentioning that the amount of flex needed in a wing was FAR less than the movement of a flap, as the wing surface was much larger than the flaps, and slight flexing made quite a difference in the airflow over the (...) (22 years ago, 20-Dec-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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