One-Man Helicopters Give Soldiers Wings
Soldiers hurling themselves across wide streams at a single leap, charging over battlefields at high speeds, flying across wide trenches and gaping shell holes in a series of broad jumps—that is the picture envisioned by George de Bothezat, of New York City, inventor of a curious one-man helicopter. Consisting of two propellers mounted on a vertical axis and driven horizontally in opposite directions by a lightweight gasoline engine, the apparatus is anchored in a framework over the head of the user, who wears a special belt-and-harness support. The machine, controlled in the air by body, arm, and leg movements, might also be used by sportsmen.

New Glider Popularizes Sport

A DAY of gliders for every one is heralded in the introduction of a new low cost glider by Hans Richter, famous German air man. The new model which he has just designed and tested can be sold for less than fifty dollars and is light enough to be carried easily. No fuselage is used; instead the flier is merely strapped into the framework as shown in the photo below. Unfortunately, this type is barred in this country by the Dept. of Commerce at the present time.

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He Made Sky Mapping a Big Business

High above the broken floor of the Rio Grande River basin, an airplane growls monotonously over 32,000 square miles, each click of its Cyclopean camera bringing nearer to completion the largest photographic mapping project ever undertaken in the United States.

EXACTING and tedious is the scientific job of gathering up 32,000 square miles and literally pasting them in your hat. Only one man is utterly capable and he is the fellow who supervises the shooting and assembling of this vast mosaic.

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“Water Auto” for Police Hits High Speed

Like a streamline automobile without wheels, the odd “water auto” shown above in a trial run along the Thames River in England, can hit a top speed of thirty-five miles an hour although it is driven by a motor rated at only nine horsepower. Designed especially as a police patrol boat for emergency work on the waterfronts of large cities, the craft has its engine forward and a three-place passenger cabin perched over the stern. The center windshield section forms part of a hatch through which entrance is made into the cabin, which provides all the comforts of a luxurious motor car.

The FREAK of the MONTH~No. 1
The oddest contraption which has been brought to our attention this month is the Outboard Ski-Plane now being constructed by C. T. Elle, of Chicago. The idea is that when the boat gets up speed the front of the skis will be raised, causing the boat to come to the surface. When wind gets under the wing it is supposed to furnish enough lift to permit the boat to skip over the waves.

Motorcycle Is Knee-High on Airplane Tail Wheels
Only knee-high to a motor “cop,” a miniature motorcycle built in Los Angeles rolls along the highway at forty miles an hour on two airplane tail wheels. It stands twenty inches high and weighs only sixty-one pounds. Powered by a two and one-half horsepower outboard motor, this midget bike has made a hundred-mile round trip to the top of Mount Wilson, taking steep hills readily and traveling 150 miles on a gallon of gasoline. The frame was cut down from an old bicycle and reinforced. Throttle, spark and cut-out switch and brake lever are mounted on the handlebars. A friction generator for the lights operates off the rear wheel.

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The QUEEN of the SEVEN SEAS

THE 79,280-ton “Normandie,” a ship that dares comparison, is about ready for the supreme test of a transatlantic crossing.

Described as the largest moving unit ever built by man, the vessel sets a standard difficult to equal. Her plan and decoration reach a high-water mark in maritime history. No such ultra-modern interiors have ever been seen on an ocean vessel. The outside strikes a complete harmony with the inside. Her low rakish hull rides gracefully on the water, while her clipper bow and streamline funnels give her all the earmarks of the greyhound.

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Thrills With New Type Balloon

BALLOON jumping, that spectacular and thrilling but highly dangerous sport, may receive new impetus from the successful demonstration of a new type of equipment invented by Jean Cambissa of Korfu, Greece.

The balloon, of 100 cubic meters capacity, lifts a light metal frame upon which the pilot sits while he flaps a pair of wings with his arms. These wings, together with a rudder operated by the feet, give the pilot a certain amount of control—something which was entirely lacking with the old balloon jumpers.

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“The Box” - All Wheels Steer and Drive

Look at this ultralight on-and-off-road vehicle that hits new highs in mobility

By JIM DAVIS / PS West Coast Editor

Racing car? Economy car? Dune buggy? Off-road vehicle? The answer, every time, is yes; the Box is all of these. It began life as a multipurpose car suitable for street, track, and off-road use; but because it has a fully watertight body, it even converts to an amphibian when paddles are fixed to the wheels.

The designers, Dan Hanebrink and Matt Van Leeuwen of Costa Mesa, Calif., aimed for aircraft lightness. They also had their own ideas on just about everything in the chassis department.

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The Trailer Grows Up

By Julian Leggett

ROM the time, only ten years ago, when it was little more than a big wooden box perched precariously between two wheels, the trailer has come a long way.

Just recently, an auto-and-trailer unit was traveling the desert road beside the Salton sea, with the speedometer needle hovering close to seventy. As the driver picked up the telephone to inform his family in the trailer that they were nearing their destination, there was a loud bang. The driver felt a quick tug at the steering wheel, a sudden drag on the car. But nothing else happened. There was no loss of control, no careening. Cautiously he set the brakes and brought the two vehicles to a stop. Investigation revealed that one of the trailer tires had blown out—at seventy miles an hour-yet not even a dish was out of place in the trailer’s cupboard.

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Atomic Planes

Are Closer Than You Think High-payload atom-powered jet flying-boats within the next five to ten years: that’s MPs prediction, based on a study of design trends and necessities.

By Frank Tinsley

THE buckaroos of science are breaking the atom to harness at a fantastic rate. In just 15 short years, fission has grown from a super-secret equation whispered in a President’s ear to a solidly established 14-billion dollar industry. The hectic stage of A-and H-bomb monopoly is fast giving way to a happier and less explosive phase of atomic development. Late last year Congress enacted the Atomic Energy Act of 1954; directing that the atom’s neglected humanitarian potential be put to work “to promote world peace, promote the general welfare and increase the standard of living.” Along with this, President Eisenhower launched his World Atoms-For-Peace Program to spur the exchange of knowledge and the rapid development of international atomic power projects of all kinds.

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Streamline Tricycle Serves Ice Cream in the Streets

Ice cream is dispensed in the streets of London from tricycles equipped with streamline bodies which extend over the tops and sides of the vehicles. The top of the body forms a “counter” to hold the dispensing equipment.