It has a
24-foot spread and is 7 feet in depth. The middle plane is in
two sections each of 7 1/2 feet spread and 6 feet in depth. The
center ends of the middle plane sections do not come within
5 feet of joining, this open space being left for the engine.
The bottom plane is of 16 feet spread and 5 feet in depth. It
will thus be seen that the planes overhang one another in depth,
the bottom one being the smallest in this respect. The planes
are set at an angle of 9 degrees, and there is a clear space of 3
1/2 feet between each, making the total distance from the bottom
to the top plane a trifle over 7 feet. The total supporting
surface in the main planes is 350 square feet. By arranging the
three plane surfaces at an angle as described and varying their
size, the greatest amount of lifting area is secured above the
center of gravity, and the greatest weight carried below.
The ribs are made of laminated spruce, finished down to
1/2x3/4-inch cross section dimensions, with a curvature of about
1 in 20, and fastened to the beams with special aluminum
castings.
Number 2 Naiad aeroplane cloth is used in covering the
planes, with pockets sewn in for the ribs.
Two combination elevating rudders are set up well in front,
each having 18 square feet of supporting area.
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