TETRAHEDRAL KITES. 151 



The framework of this latest model is also strong enough to support 

 a man, and yet its flying weight is, as I have said, only 200 grams to 

 the square meter of supporting surface. When we consider that the 

 flying weight of other machines in which the greatest lightness has 

 been striven for is nearly one hundred times as great as in this kite, 

 we realize the tremendous advance made by Dr. Bell in at least one 

 direction^ — a marvelous combination of lightness and strength. 



In not one of the successful kites of Dr. Bell has the flying weight 

 exceeded 500 grams to the square meter of supporting surface, whereas 

 in various other machines the ratio exceeds 10,000 grams to the square 

 meter. 



Dr. Bell has thus constructed one form of successful flying machine, 

 Mabel II. Another form, which may be even more successful and of 

 which Victor I. is a model, is nearly completed. To obtain the form 

 of a flying machine has been the principal problem to solve ; the matter 

 of a motor is comparatively simple. 



The next step is to place a motor on Mabel II., or an enlarged 

 Victor I., with a propeller extending from each side of the kite like 

 an aerial paddle wheel. Strong and light motors are in the market 

 and to be had easily. Then, as the operator sits inside with spinning 

 propellers he can drive the kite up and down the surface of the bay 

 testing how to control and steer her. Later, with the propellers going 

 faster, he can send the kite skimming along a few yards above the 

 surface and continue the experiments at this small height above the 

 water without danger to life. 



Finally, by still further increasing the speed of his propellers he 

 can shoot upward and leisurely proceed wherever he may desire. 

 Great speed is not Dr. Bell's object. Ten or fifteen miles an hour is 

 enough to start with. 



Dr. Bell has now reached the point where the flying machine is no 

 longer problematical. It is simply a question of time necessary to put 

 things together. Whether the first flying machine carrying a man is 

 built by him at his laboratory in Beinn Bhreagh is probably immaterial 

 to him, but the chances are that if some one else does not build a suc- 

 cessful machine within the next yea,r or two he will have a flying 

 machine of his own by that time.* 



* Figures 1-8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 are from photographs by Mr. David 

 George McCurdy, the photographer of Dr. Bell'? laboratory; the photographs 

 shown in Figures 9 and 11 and those of Mabel IT. and Victor I. were taken 

 by the author. 



