FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0495.PDF
JUNE IO, 191 I. t/TMl] THE SHORT BIPLANE, 1911 TYPE. CONSIDERING their position as pioneers of aeroplane construc tion in England, and the reputation that they have established for thoroughly reliable if particularly British workmanship, it is a matter of course that any production of Short Brothers should be regarded with special interest. The machine at present under review, which is the latest output of the Sheppey factory, reflects modern prejudice in favour of the Farman type biplane, a prejudice that is well founded, for by diagonal ties leading to the rear transverse boom of the main planes. The same system of trussing is applied to the elevator outrigger, which member is of the accepted triangular frame type. The elevator itself is a cambered monoplane, and is operated on the Farman system from a universally pivoted lever that is mounted vertically and centrally la front of the pilot. From this lever wires also pass lateralis- to the hinged balancing planes that (rail behind the extremities Front view of the Short biplane 1911 type. " Flight" Copyright. It is after all not surprising that pilots should prefer to fly those machines which have proved most successful. More over, it is often by taking a successful type as a basis in design that there is most scope for originality in detail development, and it is in this respect that Short Brothers' work has always been notable, in their earlier machines no less than in this. As a matter of fact, too, the general design of this machine differs considerably from the real of the upper main planes. A glance at the front view of the machine shows how these balancers are of exceptionally long span, and consequently have a relatively high aspect ratio. It will also be observed from this front view of the machine that it belongs to the extended upper plane or '-'•• military " type, the upper plane having a span 14 ft. in excess of the lower plane, and the overhanging extremities being supported View from behind of the Short biplane, showing the Gnome engine In position. " Flight" Copyright Farman so soon as its construction is looked into with more than superficial interest. Even the casual observer, for instance, will notice some difference in the appearance of the tail, which includes a monoplane lifting member fitted with a trailing elevator attachment and a large divided rudder half of which is above and half below the horizontal plane. Particular attention may also be directed to the trussing of the tail outrigger, which is especially well stayed laterally by slanting stays attached to the extremities of the lower main spars. Altogether the machine is a neat and well thought out example of rather a large type of flyer, and by no means the least interesting or important of its features is the elaborate system of bracing that characterises the design. Two points of special importance in this connection are the struts in the gap of the panels on either side of the main central panel, and the fore and aft struts in the chord 497
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
