March 1, 1920

March 1, 1920

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The Starting of Airplane Engines

By T. L. Sherman17 min

Invention in Aeronautics

By Frederick W. Barker8 min

The Model J-2 Mail Plane

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114115

The Starting of Airplane Engines

With all internal combustion engines there exists the possibility of a backfire taking place. By this is meant that an explosion takes place before the crank reaches its out dead centre, with the result that the engine rotates in the direction opposite to that in which it is designed to run.

By T. L. Sherman17 min

112113

Invention in Aeronautics

From time immemorial we have had vessels that could float on water because the density of that medium permits buoyancy, and the air also was found to give buoyant support since the days of the hot air balloon; but the real conquest of the air came only when a controlled airplane was caused through speed of its movement to convert the tenuous atmosphere into a weight sustaining medium.

By Frederick W. Barker8 min

104105

The Model J-2 Mail Plane

General.—This mail plane was designed and constructed with the distinct idea of permitting the use of as many parts of the standard DH-4 as possible in the construction of an economical twin-engine machine. Such parts as were used were not changed in any manner excepting reinforcements where necessary.
9899

The Thomas-Morse MB-4 Mail Plane

In response to bids for mail planes issued by the Post Office Department which were opened the latter part of June, 1919, the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corp. prepared a design complying in general with the specifications issued, which stipulated among other things that two or more motors of either the Liberty or Hispano-Suiza type were to be used.
102103

The L. W. F. Owl Freight Plane

The Owl freight plane was designed and built by the L. W. F. Engineering Co., principally to satisfy the need for adequate mail transports in this country. It is a land machine of 1200 hp. with a useful load of 7,600 lb. The design is of the twin fuselage and center nacelle type, and by installing one of three different nacelles, it may be used for transporting mail or express, passenger carrying, or night bombing.
114115

Maintenance of Gas Purity by Purging

By the term “purging” is usually meant replacing a certain portion of the gas in an airship envelope without entirely deflating it. With a liberal supply of gas it is a convenient method of maintaining a good lift at an expense in time of only a few minutes a day.

By R. H. Upson4 min

9697

Editorials

IN the present issue there are printed illustrated deseriptions of some of the most recent products of the aircraft industry, all of which will be on exhibition in the forthcoming Aeronautical Show to be held from March 6 to 13 in the 71st Regiment Armory, New York.
110111

The Goodyear Automatic Gas Valve

The following summary of the practical features of the Goodyear automatic gas valve is a result of several months experience and includes all the minor improvements made up to this time. Pressure Adjustment.—The adjustment of the pressure on this valve requires no tools whatever for adjusting, a knob being carried to the outside of the valve dome giving perfect accessibility and allowing the valve to be adjusted between limits of 20 and 60 mm. (with the standard springs).

By A. G. Maranville3 min

106107

The Packard Fuelizer

The failure of a cold engine to respond to the throttle has been responsible for a great many accidents in landing and at all times is an ever present menace to the most skillful pilot. It must be remembered that even in midsummer it is intensely cold at altitudes of 15,000 ft. and over.
108109

Short Sporting Type Seaplane

The Short sporting type seaplane is designed as a general utility machine. The functions it will till are numerous, and for convenience can be described under two headings:—military and commercial. Military.—Accommodation is provided for pilot and three passengers.
FEBRUARY 151920 MARCH 151920