Subject:
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Re: Drat Soarer (2nd lego glider)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.technic
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Date:
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Sun, 3 Aug 2003 18:23:48 GMT
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Viewed:
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994 times
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"Paul Krieg" <pdkrieg@epix.net> wrote in message
news:HJ1wCC.12M5@lugnet.com...
> In lugnet.technic, Neb Okla wrote:
>
> > Maybe you should try some kind of catapult system like the Wright • brothers
> > used?
>
> It was Samuel Pierpont Langley who used a catapult. His "Aerodromes" as • he
> called them were launched from a catapult from the top of a house boat on • the
> Potomac River. I think he spent some time IN the potomac, too.
>
> The Wright brothers did not use a catapult. Their plane took off • completely
> under its own power resting on a trolley which ran down a mono track. The
> trolley was not powered. It landed on skids which part of the flyer.
They did use a catapult:
"The claim is based on disqualifying the flights made by the Wrights because
"The airplane didn't take off under its own power." The Wrights developed a
catapult system in 1904 that was used to launch their airplanes. This system
was used for many years. But they didn't use a catapult in 1903 and took off
from level ground. Many of their machines, including the 1905 model, could
have taken off under their own power. All the Wrights needed to do was to
add wheels to their craft and have reasonably-level ground for takeoffs.
However, the Wrights didn't care to have their machine damaged in takeoff
from soft fields, and so employed an efficient, reliable, and elegant means
of launching their craft. To claim this disqualifies their craft as
airplanes is taking a minor matter far too seriously. To ignore the
performance of the 1903 craft is absurd.
By the way, others not only had their airplanes damaged during takeoff using
wheels, some people were even killed when the plane hit a rut during
takeoff. In comparison, the Wright's catapult system was, like most other
features of the Wright airplane, a beautiful and efficient solution to a
difficult problem."
SOURCE:
http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/aircraft/private/wright-flyer/info/info.htm
> > You might also consider mounting a CO2 cartridge to the underside of • your
> > gliders nose. Hobby shops, bicycle shops, and sporting goods stores • should
> > have them in various sizes/weights.
>
> Ok, that might work, but WOW. I think if you use a CO2 cartridge you'll • need to
> sweep the wings or they might snap off.
I don't think so. A CO2 cartridge is relatively light - and vehicles
launched with CO2 in my experience tend to start off fairly gradually - not
with an explosive burst of power as one might find with a model rocket
motor.
You might also concentrate on a system of gaining altitude initially - and
balancing the craft so that it tends to seek a stable middle ground for it's
descent. A nice gradual turn would help it fly in a circle so it doesn't
get too far away.
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Drat Soarer (2nd lego glider)
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| Hi, Thanks for setting me straight on this. I had no idea. I have been studying the Wright brothers lately but only their first flight and what lead to it. I am sorry if I misguided anyone. I thought I knew. That is one of the great things about our (...) (21 years ago, 5-Aug-03, to lugnet.technic)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Drat Soarer (2nd lego glider)
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| (...) (URL) (...) It was Samuel Pierpont Langley who used a catapult. His "Aerodromes" as he called them were launched from a catapult from the top of a house boat on the Potomac River. I think he spent some time IN the potomac, too. The Wright (...) (21 years ago, 3-Aug-03, to lugnet.technic)
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