Public-domain ebook
by H. Barber
Language: en2,503 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
In: Humour·Engineering & Technology
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #21791.
The Aeroplane Speaks is a practical manual for early aviators, written by Horatio Barber, an experienced designer, builder and pilot. It opens with a dedication to the “Subaltern Flying Officer” and a series of contemporary endorsements that praise its concise, “tabloid” style and claim it is the best text on the subject. The prologue places the reader in a deserted Royal Flying Corps lecture hall, where the instructor’s chalk‑drawn dialogue animates the fundamental forces of lift, drag, thrust and efficiency as characters on a blackboard. From that lively scene the book proceeds through numbered parts and chapters that cover elementary principles, stability, rigging, propellers, maintenance and a glossary, promising a blend of theory and hands‑on advice drawn from eight years of Barber’s own work.
Barber’s voice is that of a wartime engineer‑pilot, employing a conversational, almost theatrical tone that mixes technical explanation with witty personifications of aerodynamic concepts. The style reflects early‑20th‑century British technical literature, complete with period illustrations and a brisk, didactic pace. Readers who enjoy historically grounded engineering texts, especially those fascinated by the formative years of aviation and the practical challenges faced by pilots and riggers, will find this work both informative and entertaining.
The opening · free to read
=C. G. G. in the AEROPLANE:= "One hopes that the Subaltern Flying Officer will appreciate the gift which the author has given him out of his own vast store of experience, for the book contains the concentrated knowledge of many expensive years in tabloid form, or perhaps one should say in condensed milk form, seeing that it is easy to swallow and agreeable to the taste, as well as wholesome and nourishing. And, besides the young service aviator, there are thousands of young men, and women also, now employed in the aircraft industry, who will appreciate far better the value of the finicky little jobs they are doing if they will read this book and see how vital is their work to the man who flies."
=THE FIELD:= "Entirely different from any other text-book on the subject, not merely in its form, but in its capacity to convey a knowledge of the principles and practice of flying. Undoubtedly it is the best book on its subject."
=THE UNITED SERVICE GAZETTE:= "Should be in the hands of every person interested in aviation."
=THE OUTLOOK:= "As amusing as it is instructive."
=THE MORNING POST:= "Should be read and re-read by the would be and even the experienced pilot."
PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY BILLING AND SONS, LIMITED GUILDFORD
DEDICATED TO THE SUBALTERN FLYING OFFICER
The reasons impelling me to write this book, the maiden effort of my pen, are, firstly, a strong desire to help the ordinary man to understand the Aeroplane and the joys and troubles of its Pilot; and, secondly, to produce something of practical assistance to the Pilot and his invaluable assistant the Rigger. Having had some eight years' experience in designing, building, and flying aeroplanes, I have hopes that the practical knowledge I have gained may offset the disadvantage of a hand more used to managing the "joy-stick" than the dreadful haltings, the many side-slips, the irregular speed, and, in short, the altogether disconcerting ways of a pen.
The matter contained in the Prologue appeared in the Field of May 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th, 1916, and is now reprinted by the kind permission of the editor, Sir Theodore Cook.
I have much pleasure in also acknowledging the kindness of Mr. C. G. Grey, editor of the Aeroplane, to whom I am indebted for the valuable illustrations reproduced at the end of this book.
The book keeps going
Reading is free forever. Sign up and watch scenes appear while you read.
Scenes Storieta drew for other classics.
New illustrated classics
Once or twice a month: the latest books to get full character casts, scene art, and free comic editions. No account needed.
