A NEW AERIAL MACHINE.

Southland Times, Issue 1075, 18 December 1868, Page 3

A NEW AERIAL MACHINE.

The gigantic aerial machine invented by Mr Joseph M. Kaufmann, engineer, Glasgow, promises to be an entire success It is fashioned in somewhat the form of a bird. The body is composed of the engine, which in the model is of nearly two horsa.power ; and from this projects on either side a sustainer aerial plane. These are fourteen feet long over the tips and are composed of ribs of steel, which are covered with strong silk. The average speed at which these can be driven is about 150 strokes per minute, and they can be angled from three to thirty degrees, and the stroke can be increased from six inches to four feet. The machine is guided by a tail composed of three fans wrought by levers, which will be able to guider it in any direction in which it is wished to proceed. Tbe model weighs nearly 1151bs. To set it in motion 101 bor 121 bof steam is required, which has to be increased considerabty to obtain a high working pressure ; and with this it is expected that a speed of twelve or fifteen miles an hour will be obtained. In consequence of Mr Kaufmann having to leave for London by tbe end of the week to exhibit the model in the Crystal Palace, it was fouud impossible to secure a suitable place and get everything in proper order to make an ascent ; but those who saw the engine working— and amongst them were many engineers — expressed themselves as thoroughly satisfied that it would answer the purpose in view. The machine is mouuted on wheels, and is so constructed that it can run along the ground like a locomotive. Once elevated into the air, the two front wheels act as fly-wheels, and in the event of anything going wrong, aud a decent be made into the water, these can be speedily fitted up as paddles, the machine turned thus, as it were, into a steamer, the wings aud aerial planes being disconnected. Tbe machine which Mr Kaufmann intends to erect, and of which the above is a model, will be capable of carrying forty passengers. The engines will be of 300 horse-power, and attached to it will be water-tight carriages, fitted up with sustainers to those on the engine. The weight of the machine will be 8,000 lbs., and it will be driven, it is expected, at a speed of something like eighty miles an hour. Like the model it 'will be entirely constructed of steel anu ;;uu-metal The boilers will be made of copper, and will be heated with hydro-carbon oil. — • ' North British Mail.'