Журнал Flight

Flight, May 3, 1913.

REFLECTIONS ON THE MONACO MEETING.

De Marcay.

   It is a pity that the De Marcay monoplane did not demonstrate its flying abilities in a more pronounced manner during the Monaco Meeting, for there is no doubt that those interested in its method of wing bracing would have felt greater confidence in the design by becoming more accustomed to the view from beneath. The wings of this machine are arranged to fold back against the body in order that it may ride more securely at anchor. A useful purpose is potentially served by this provision, and the method of achieving the desired end thus becomes of moment. On the De Marcay, the wing structure appears to be more or less in accord with common practice, but the attachment of the wings to the body is altogether unusual. Each wing is carried by a tubular steel mast that slopes obliquely backwards and outwards from the bottom to the top. The mast passes through the trailing corner of the wing shoulder, and to the top and bottom of the mast all the bracing wires are carried. Owing to the slope of the mast, the backward rake of the lower wires is less than is the case with the upper wires, but the disposition in both instances is sufficiently unusual to arrest the attention. The drag on the wing is resisted by the steel cable controlling the position of the wing, and this same control serves the purpose of swinging the wing to and fro slightly in flight, as a means of lateral balance in lieu of warping.