August 1, 1919

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Production of Helium for Use in Airships

One of the great scientific and technical triumphs resulting from the application of exact knowledge and inventive genius to problems of military importance has been the large-scale production of helium, making this hitherto exceedingly rare gas available for use in balloons and airships.

Metal Construction of Aircraft

With regard to metal construction of aircraft, it may be argued that metal is too heavy to be used to construct efficient flying machines. The same argument was used in the early days of iron vessels; now wood is used only to construct small craft, and all large vessels are constructed of steel.

By A. P. Thurston21 min

Our Third Anniversary

With the present issue AVIATION AND AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING celebrates its third anniversary, entering upon its fourth year of existence. In this connection it may be recalled that this magazine was the first aeronautical publication in the world to realize the predominant importance of scientific research and strict engineering methods in the planning, designing and construction of aircraft; and, founded on this assumption which the experience of the Great War has strikingly vindicated, AVIATION AND AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING has ever since its first issue considered it its principal duty to spread the knowledge of sound methods of aeronautical engineering.

Airplane and Seaplane Engineering

One of the earliest floats tried at the model basin and built in full size was a twin float having a sharp V-bottom. The lines of this float conformed to the lines of a successful gunboat, and it was very pretty and clean in its action, but due to the influence of the curvature of the buttock lines at the stern, suction was present in this model and an airplane fitted with these floats, although able to get away with a pilot, was unable to get away with a pilot and passenger, there being insufficient reserve power to get over the hump.

By Commander H. C. Richardson13 min

Course in Aerodynamics and Airplane Design

An air speed indicator may be calibrated by the use of a whirling arm, or in a wind tunnel, but, however well it may be calibrated or however carefully placed on the plane to avoid interference, it should be calibrated in actual flight before each important test.

By Alexander Klemin8 min

The B.A.T. Type F.K. 26 Transport Airplane

The B. A. T. type F. K. 26 transport airplane, produced by the British Aerial Transport Co., Ltd., to the designs of Mr. F. Koolhoven, chief engineer of the firm, is the first English airplane distinctly designed as a commercial machine. Not being a mere adaptation of a war airplane to civil needs, this machine is of considerable interest as an instance of English post-war design.

Resistance of Nose Radiators

The present report considers the effect of placing a radiator in the nose of a fuselage as compared with the effect of placing a radiator of the same core construction, having an equivalent cooling capacity, in the free air, and streamlining the nose of the fuselage.

The Large Land Airplane in German Practice

In submitting photographs and somewhat inadequate information on large German airplanes of recent design, the writer has thought it interesting to survey briefly the development of the Giant Airplane. One of the first builders of giant airplanes was the Russian engineer Sikorksy.

By Erik Hildesheim4 min

The Need of the Present Moment

Practically nine months have now passed since the signing of the armistice and—to say the least—conditions in the aircraft business in the United States are anything but encouraging. Two of our largest manufacturers have wound up their affairs and those remaining are struggling along with, in most cases, practically no business on hand.

By Archibald Black3 min

July 151919

August 151919

August 1, 1919

August 1, 1919

Production of Helium for Use in Airships