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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0270.PDF
I/Offi APRIL I, 191 I. THE VALKYRIE RACER. IT*was about this time last year that we first drew our readers' attention in any marked degree to the Valkyrie monoplane, then known as the "• A.S.L.," from the initial letters of the Aeronautical Syndicate, Limited, who now, as then, repre sent the commercial side of the business. It is, therefore, appropriate that we should again refer about Show time to the latest of these machines, and in doing so it is only proper - :. - - I • • ment, and there is, at least, this to be said for the Valkyrie that it is no copy of anything else. The latest machine, of which the accompanying photo graphs and sketches are illustrations, is known as the type " B " racer, and in appearance is characteristically different from its prototypes, although, as a matter of fact, the differ ence in question is merely a marked optical effect produced Front view of the Valkyrie racing-type monoplane. ; Flight" Copyright. that we should say a few words of congratulation on the steady progress of the firm during the past twelve months. When the Valkyrie monoplane was first introduced to readers of FLIGHT it had already flown, but that was about all, and no doubt a good many of those who were interested in its peculiar design wondered whether this tail first idea was going to be any good at all. The Aeronautical Syndicate were the first to establish themselves at Hendon, and in the inconvenient conditions that then existed it took some little while to get settled ; but from that time onwards they have done their best to prove the merits of their machine on every by a relatively small structural alteration. The present machine has its main planes closer to the ground than formerly, the height from the skids to the main fore and aft girders of the carriage being 4 ft. The result of this shortening of a very important dimension, so far as the perspective of the machine is concerned, has made a marked difference in its general appearance, especially when it is standing on the ground. Also, of course, being a racer it is generally smaller and lighter-looking in all its principal parts. The span is 31 ft. ; the overall length 26 ft., which includes the increased distance at which the rudder planes View from the side of the Valkyrie monoplane racer. " Flight " Copyright. decent flying day, and those who are interested have, there fore, no excuse for not satisfying themselves as to the appear ance and general behaviour of the tail first monoplane in the air. It is, of course, all the more interesting to be able to record Va Ikyrie progress, because the machine is, after all, essentially British, both in design and construction, and it is only right that all who are following aviation should watch with a kindly eye the evolution of anything that goes particularly to the credit of British brains. Commercially it is often wiser policy to copy a standard article, and initiative in design is therefore all the more worthy of appreciation and encourage- are now carried behind the main plane ; and the total weight is only 550 lbs. The general design of the main plane, which is, as before, built in three sections, has been somewhat modified by the introduction of a marked dihedral angle and a slight arching of the wings. The central portion of the main plane, which has a span of 8 ft. 4 ins., has its leading edge set back in order to clear the propeller. The trailing edge is in line with the trailing edges of the wings, and conse quently the chord is less than the full chord of 6 ft., which characterises the wing members. About 12 ft. in front of the main planes is the fixed leading plane, which can be set to any required attitude, according to the load carried 272
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