Some ingenious Frenchman has conceived the idea of modernizing the game of "Diabolo" to the extent of using a toy aeroplane instead of the top or double cone. The scheme is illustrated in Fig. 370, which clearly shows the construction of the apparatus. The body of the aeroplane is a wooden stick, which is curved upward by means of a bow string. A bird's head at one end of the stick gives weight to the forward part of the aeroplane, and also provides an attractive headpiece for the device. The device is of the divided monoplane type, the main plane consisting of two sails attached to a pair of steel wire stretchers. The forward stretcher is tied to the head of the aeroplane, while the rear stretcher is connected to the forward corners of the rear sail planes by means of four light cords. A light metal crosspiece is secured to the rear end of the machine, and to this crosspiece the rear plane is made fast. The forward end of the rear plane is tied down to the body stick, giving the sail planes a concave or dished set. which tends to direct the machine upward when it is launched in the air. A large wire hook is attached to the prow of the machine, and the device is slung into the air after the manner of the "Diabolo" by means of a cord caught under the hook and fastened to two light sticks that are held in the hand. The hook is quite open, so that it will readily clear the string when the aeroplane is slung off. The game consists of throwing the device in the air and catching it again on the string as it returns, only to throw it up again. The device describes a very graceful curve in the air, and may be thrown to a height of sixty feet or more. It makes a very fascinating game, and requires considerable dexterity to catch the aeroplane on the string as it is falling to earth.

Fig. 370 - The "Diabolo" flying machine.