Diagram illustrating the reversal of position effected by a “loop.”Diagram illustrating the execution of the so-called “Immelman turn.”1. First position of the machines. 2. The forward machine preparing to turn over. 3. Partially over. 4. The forward machine upside down but still travelling forward. 5. Beginning the dive. 6. Completing the dive and straightening up.
Diagram illustrating the reversal of position effected by a “loop.”Diagram illustrating the execution of the so-called “Immelman turn.”1. First position of the machines. 2. The forward machine preparing to turn over. 3. Partially over. 4. The forward machine upside down but still travelling forward. 5. Beginning the dive. 6. Completing the dive and straightening up.
Diagram illustrating the reversal of position effected by a “loop.”
Diagram illustrating the execution of the so-called “Immelman turn.”
1. First position of the machines. 2. The forward machine preparing to turn over. 3. Partially over. 4. The forward machine upside down but still travelling forward. 5. Beginning the dive. 6. Completing the dive and straightening up.
The falling leaf is done by a modification of this manœuvre, causing the machine to fall over on one wing-tip, and then bringing it into control again, thus causing the machine to turn over like a leaf in the air. This is a hazardous manœuvre, and requires pulling the rudder violently from side to side.
Upside-down flying and tail spinning is difficult except to certain types of machines; of course it cannot be done for any length, and usually terminates in a tail spin, when the machine descends like the threads of a screw.
Naturally, there are air disturbances about a machine when performing these stunts, and bumps are frequent owing to that phenomena. They ought never to be tried by a novice close to the ground. They are, however, very spectacular, and for that reason often seen at aerodromes or flying exhibitions. Indeed, Lieutenant B. C. Maynard has a record of 318 consecutive loops.
Formation Flying
Flying like ducks in the form of a spear-head and in groups of from 3 to 300 or more was inaugurated by the German ace of aces, the Baron Von Richthofen, who was credited with shooting down eighty Allied planes in the Great War. Before this, however, it was discovered that flying in pairs was more safe than flying alone. With the development of the wireless telephone the numbers in the formation were increaseduntil, in October, 1918, the Americans made a raid on Waville with 350 machines in formations.
These formations were called circuses, first because of the gaudy camouflage which covered the red baron and his German machines; often they placed decoys beneath clouds, and when an unsuspecting scout descended on the decoy, the circus dived on the scout. This was done by both sides, so that it became very unsafe to fly alone, or even in pairs, on the West Front.
The flight commander’s machine was usually marked with a trailing colored streamer, and he usually flew at the apex of the spear-head. The second in command usually had his machine also specially marked, so that if anything happened to the leader he could take command. The commander often signalled by firing Very pistols. These same formations were also used for bombing and reconnaissance. Formation flying was also very useful for strafing the enemy on the ground during the last four drives of the Germans in 1918. Groups of six machines were used for this manœuvre with great effect. Whether or not formation flying will become popular in peace-times remains to be seen. In case of a crash of one machine the others could bring aid quickly, or carry the occupants to their original destination.