Bell, Dr. Graham McCurdy, J. A. D. (U.S.A. Ae. C. 18) McHardy Symonds, E. F. St. Henry R.
GRAHAM-BELL II. Flights were made by Dr. Graham-Bell in a tetrahedal type, similar to one described in the 1911 edition.
~Maximum length,~ 26-1/4 feet (8 m.) ~maximum breadth,~ 31-1/3 feet (9.50 m.) ~supporting surface,~ ? sq. feet (? m².)
~Body.~--Central skid in combination with 4 wheels. Triangular body, base of triangle on top. Fuselage entirely enclosed.
~Planes.~--Maximum span, 31-1/3 feet (9.50 m.) Chord, 3-1/2 feet (1 m.) Gap, 5 feet (1.50 m.) Ailerons at trailing edge of wing tips, 6 feet x 2 feet (1.80×0.60 m.)
~Tractor.~--Diameter, 7-3/4 feet (2.40 m.) Pitch, 6 feet (1.82 m.)
~Steering.~--Double elevator placed in rear of tail. _Control_, push and pull wheel. Rudder in rear. _Control_, wheel. Ailerons. _Control_, turning steering-wheel left or right.
Remarks.--See _Aeronautics_, U.S.A., August, 1911.
There has been also the _Baddeck_ and other early machines (see 1911 edition), but none of them seem to be in existence at the present time.
~Military Aviation.~--A certain number of officers belonging to the Indian Army have qualified as pilots when home on leave, but there is no organised force. One is, however, proposed.
~Private Aviation.~--In the past two or three home-made machines appeared, and one or two were imported, but most or all are now extinct.
~Private Aviation.~--J. Weston is a qualified pilot, but at the outside there are not more than two effective machines in the country.
In the Balkan War, 1912-13, Bulgaria hastily organised an aviation corps. This, though necessarily lacking in military organisation, proved very useful on several occasions.
At the end of March, 1913, the aeroplanes effective included 6 _Bristol_ monos.; one 70 h.p. _Bleriot XXI_; 2 _Bleriot XI bis_ (captured from the Turks); also some half-dozen or more miscellaneous machines temporarily hired.
~Military Aviators.~--The principal are Lieuts. Milkoff, Taraxchieff and Petroff.
A number of other officers in various stages of training.
~General Note.~--Nicaragua and S. Domingo have both purchased one or two aeroplanes for their military forces: but nothing appears to have been done with them.
~Aviator.~--Edwards, Emilio. Sanchez Besa is a Chilian, but resides in Paris (see France).