Within the year, exhibitions and contests of model aeroplane flights
have become an established form of entertainment. The attractions of the
flights of man-carrying machines are borrowed in a large measure by the
model aeroplanes. The building of models has progressed so rapidly,
bringing the little air-craft under such control, that a definite
program of flights may now be carried out. The programs may be
considerably varied to include distance flights, weight-lifting
contests, and spectacular flights in which the models loop the loop and
perform other amazing feats.
The first formal exhibition or professional appearance of the model
aeroplane in public as an entertainment was made in connection with the
first aviation meet held at Asbury Park, New Jersey. Two of the most
successful model builders, Percy Pierce and Frank Schoeber, of the New
York Model Aero Club, were engaged to give exhibition flights for one
hour a day in the intervals between the flights of Arch Hoxey, Johnston
and other aviators of the Wright Brothers staff.
[Illustration: An original design by Harry McAllister]
[Illustration: An interesting experiment in stability]
[Illustration: An early model built by E.G. Halpine]
The models were flown for more than 200 feet and were enthusiastically
applauded. The aeroplanes in miniature imitated the flights of the
man-carrying craft with wonderful fidelity, rising from the ground and
soaring aloft in long, graceful curves. They came as a very welcome
variety, and could be watched without breaking one’s neck gazing aloft,
or the unpleasant possibility of a serious accident. The applause of the
thousands gathered for the meet may be said to have definitely
established the model aeroplane as a feature of these tournaments.
The model aeroplane has one great advantage over the man-carrying
machines. It makes possible indoor aviation, and may be enjoyed the year
round, and is especially effective for evening entertainment. The
fortnightly meets in one of the great New York armories, some time
since, attracted the attention of the officers, and the boys were
invited to give exhibition flights in connection with athletic games.
The first of these meets was held under the auspices of the New York
Model Aero Club, in connection with the Greek athletic games, in the
interval between the games and the ball which followed.
An audience of fully 3,000 people, crowding the armory, witnessed the
flights. Some twenty members of the club entered the contest. In a
public contest of this kind, much depends upon the system of flying. The
floor must be kept clear and the flights follow one another so quickly
that the interest will not lag for a moment, and the audience have no
opportunity to tire. The flights on this occasion went with a rush and
proved in every way so successful that the rules which made this program
are given in full on another page.
Few in the audience had ever seen a model flight, and the contest held
the great crowd’s attention more closely than had any of the evening’s
athletic events, which had come before. There was a breathless moment of
suspense when the whistle had sounded for the first flight. A beautiful
white monoplane led off, but in the excitement of the moment, it had not
been properly adjusted, and failing to get its altitude, spun daintily
across the floor. The second model yawed sharply and flew into the crowd
at the side.
The third model found itself, however, rose perhaps twenty feet and,
settling down to a steady horizontal, darted across the arena. Every eye
followed it. A burst of handclapping greeted its graceful rise, which
increased in volume, and as it reached the farthest corner of the great
armory, more than 200 feet distant, there was a perfectly spontaneous
cheer.
The program was so well organized and carried on that the flights
followed rapidly without a break. There was scarcely a moment when an
aeroplane was not aloft, and the interest never faltered. There were
Scores of excellent straight-away flights of 200 feet or more, at
various altitudes. Occasionally a model would fly wild, even refuse to
rise, but the flights followed one another so continuously that a
failure was quickly forgotten in the delight of watching the next
flight.
The rapid development of the model aeroplane was shown particularly in
the spectacular flights. The thrilling volplanes and daring aerial feats
of the famous air pilots were imitated by the model aeroplanes. The
models were made to dart about at unexpected angles, and, while keeping
clear of the ground, perform many astonishing feats. The prize for these
spectacular flights was won by Henry Ragot whose aeroplane actually
looped the loop repeatedly, in obedience to skilful adjustment of the
planes and weights.
In launching the model for this flight, the model was held well above
the ground and launched at a sharp upward angle. It rose with
astonishing speed, in a vertical line, fully twenty feet, when it turned
and descended with accelerated speed. The crowd naturally expected a bad
smash, but with a good clearance of the ground the model suddenly swept
around in a narrow semicircle, rose and repeated the performance. It
seemed to many spectators that the model was enjoying a miracle of good
luck, but they were mistaken. The flight was repeated several times.
Indoor aviation was an instantaneous success.
Unless well-thought-out rules are carefully observed, a public
exhibition may fall into confusion, and be seriously marred. A large
audience grows quickly impatient of delays between flights. There is, of
course, the danger that the models will follow each other too quickly,
perhaps collide in the air. The distance and spectacular flights again
must be kept separate.
The rules followed by the New York Model Aero Club in these exhibitions
worked well in practice. First of all, the floor was kept absolutely
clear except for the director of the flights, who took up a position at
the center. The distance flights started from one corner only, and the
spectacular nights from the center of one side, the weight-lifting
contest from another corner.
An official starter, a measurer, and an entry clerk are stationed at
each point from which the flights are started. When a model was wound up
ready for a flight, a starter waved a small flag to attract the
attention of the director out on the floor. From his vantage point, the
director could see if the floor was clear and signaled to the starter to
go ahead. He blew a whistle by way of signal, one blast for the start of
a weight-lifting contest, two for a distance flight, and three for a
spectacular flight.
Instantly the whistle sounded, the model signaled was released without a
moment’s delay. In this way no two models were ever started at the same
time, and all confusion was avoided. The whistle was clearly heard in
all parts of the hall, and the audience quickly learned to recognize the
signals and look to the point from which the start took place. In the
distance flights the one flying the model and the measurer alone were
allowed to go after the machine. This was done on the run. It is
important that any delay be avoided in measuring, since this does not
interest the public in the least, and may make the exhibition drag.
[Illustration: An interesting experiment in stability]
[Illustration: An early model built by Monroe Jacobs. Note the
Ailerons.]
The only other person allowed on the floor while the flights were in
progress was the owner of the model, who must follow it and bring it
back. He was allowed to cross the floor, but once he had secured his
model, he must carry it quickly to the nearest point at the side, and
find his way back to the starting point along the outer lines. It is
confusing both to the flyer and the spectators to have a single
unnecessary figure on the floor during the flights. The crowd is kept
back by members of the club, wearing the club colors.
The regular fortnightly model aeroplane meets held in New York are
doubtless the most largely-attended and best-organized meets of the kind
in the world. The 22nd Regiment armory, a spacious structure admirably
suited for indoor aviation, has very courteously been thrown open for
the purpose on every other Saturday afternoon.
Throughout the season, each of these meets brings together several
hundred boys and spectators, and on the average about 100 model
aeroplanes. The meet is conducted with intelligence and sympathy by the
Y. M. C. A., and is open to all. Of late these exhibitions have become
so popular that the crowds actually threaten the convenience of the
flyers, and the boys have been required to present credentials on
entering, consisting simply of a model aeroplane.
There are few more animated spectacles than the model aeroplane
tournament. There is a great sunlit floor, measuring 250 by 150 feet,
roofed with glass. The aviation fields are reproduced here in miniature,
without loss of animation. Along the sides are continuous lines of
"camps," corresponding to the hangars where scores of boys are busy
tuning up their machines. They have brought tools and a variety of extra
materials, planes, propellers, motors, and strips, which are spread
about them.
In each camp the machines,—and there are no two alike,—are being
assembled or repaired. Groups of the boys’ friends and admirers are
gathered about each camp, earnestly discussing the merits of a
particular model and its chances in the approaching contest. To stroll
down the line of camps is in itself a liberal education in aeronautics.
The records of all flights are carefully preserved, to be counted
against the several important trophies which will be awarded at the end
of the season. Any one of the scores of contestants can tell you at any
moment how the score stands. During this tuning up process, the
galleries have filled and an enthusiastic audience is assured.
One of the great beauties of indoor aviation is that it is entirely
independent of the weather. The air of the great armory is practically
at rest, and the aeroplanes escape the baffling side currents and air
gusts. In England, for instance, indoor aviation is practically unknown.
A whistle sounds above the hum of many voices, and at the signal
everyone scurries to the sides, leaving the broad floor clear. The
judge, starter, and measurer take their positions, and the aviators,
with their models tuned up to concert pitch, stand ready at the starting
line. The starter announces whether the flight is "official" and if it
is to be counted in the competition for the trophies, or is merely a
practice or exhibition flight.
The start is made from the extreme corner diagonally across the armory.
Only last year the start was made from a point well out in the middle of
the floor, but that was when the flights were much shorter. To-day the
boys have actually outgrown the armory, and even by flying from corner
to corner there is not enough room. The aeroplanes are no longer
launched from the hand or even pushed along the ground. They are
required to start without assistance and rise in the air without being
touched.
"Official flight."
Everyone’s attention is attracted by the announcement. Hundreds of boys
crowd to the lines. The starter is doubtless known to all, as well as
his record and standing in the various competitions. Hundreds of
critical eyes are upon the model. It is a thrilling moment. The
propellers are released, and the aeroplane starts forward under its own
power.
Some leap into the air, others take the full twenty feet permitted them
in getting off the ground. There are surprisingly few failures. The
length of the take-off, the angle at which it rises, the altitude in the
first rise, are critically observed by the young experts.
To the whir of the propellers, which form two blurred circles in the
air, the model quickly climbs upward, rights itself and speeds away on
its long flight. The young aviator’s skill is revealed to every eye by
the angle of the ascent, the altitude and the ability to gain
equilibrium aloft. The more you know about aviation, the more absorbing
is your interest in a flight.
A good rise is usually observed in silence. By the time the model has
reached the middle of the armory, more than one hundred feet from the
starting line, enthusiasm is aroused. When two-thirds the distance has
been covered, the applause begins. Let the model continue without
swerving to the farthest corner, and a perfectly spontaneous cheer
sweeps the crowd. It is a well-deserved reward of hours of patient
effort.
The official measurers take the floor on the run, dragging their tape
after them. The crowd overruns the floor to gain a closer view of the
model, and the young aviator receives congratulations. The distance is
announced at once, and there are more cheers. There is never a dull
moment at the meets. One or more machines are almost always aloft. It is
as thrilling as a three-ringed circus.