55 lbs. The size of this machine rendered it unsuitable for
experiment in any but very calm weather, and it incurred such
damage when experiments were made in a breeze that Pilcher found
it necessary to build a fourth, which he named the 'Hawk.' This
machine was very soundly built, being constructed of bamboo,
with the exception of the two main transverse beams. The wings
were attached to two vertical masts, 7 feet high, and 8 feet
apart, joined at their summits and their centres by two wooden
beams. Each wing had nine bamboo ribs, radiating from its mast,
which was situated at a distance of 2 feet 6 inches from the
forward edge of the wing. Each rib was rigidly stayed at the
top of the mast by three tie-wires, and by a similar number to
the bottom of the mast, by which means the curve of each wing
was maintained uniformly. The tail was formed of a triangular
horizontal surface to which was affixed a triangular vertical
surface, and was carried from the body on a high bamboo mast,
which was also stayed from the masts by means of steel wires,
but only on its upper surface, and it was the snapping of one of
these guy wires which caused the collapse of the tail support
and brought about the fatal end of Pilcher's experiments. In
flight, Pilcher's head, shoulders, and the greater part of his
chest projected above the wings. He took up his position by
passing his head and shoulders through the top aperture formed
between the two wings, and resting his forearms on the
longitudinal body members. A very simple form of undercarriage,
which took the weight off the glider on the ground, was fitted,
consisting of two bamboo rods with wheels suspended on steel
springs.

Balance and steering were effected, apart from the high degree