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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 1192.PDF
(/QGHTJ NOVEMBER 8, 1913. The D.F.W, monoplane on which Lieut, von Hiddesen secured the first prize in the Prince Henry Reliability Trials some time ago. what heavier than rotary engines, the stationary engine is more reliable and economical in fuel consumption, two most important qualities in a machine for military use. The dome-shaped honeycomb radiator is mounted directly in front of the engine which position, in addition to being the best possible for cooling purposes, gives a good streamline form to the fuselage. The bonnet over the engine consists of fine wire gauze, making all engine parts visible, preventing overheating and affording acces sibility, as the bonnet opens in sections. The petrol and oil tanks are situated between the passenger's and pilot's seats, and a smaller service tank is mounted on top of the fuselage. An inspection of the plan view will show that the main planes possess that feature which seems to characterise the majority of German machines, i.e., the back swept wing tips, set at a small negative angle of incidence. In this machine the outer extremities of the wings take the shape of ailerons, being hinged to the rear spar instead of being formed by extending the outer General view of one of the three erecting shops of the German Aircraft Works, Ltd. (D.FVW.), at Lindenthal, near Leipzig, Germany. I2I8 ribs backwards, which is the usual method of construction. The method of having the extensions hinged in this way has proved very satisfactory. The tail planes consist of a stabilizing plane, which is not, however, rigidly connected to the fuselage, but is pivoted, and may be adjusted from the pilot's seat by means of a rotatable hand wheel situated outside the fuselage, and within easy reach of the pilot's seat. Hinged to the trailing edge of this plane is the undivided elevator. On top of the fuselage is the rudder, which is hinged to the trailing edge of a small vertical fin. A well-sprung tail skid protects the tail planes from contact with the ground. In front of the pilot are the usual set of control levers, consisting of a rotatable hand wheel mounted on a central tubular column, which, in turn, is mounted on a trans verse rocking shaft. A to-and-fro movement of the column operates the elevator, whilst rotation of the wheel actuates the ailerons. The rudder is operated by means of a footbar. Ignition and throttle levers are mounted on the right hand side of the pilot's seat, and on the hand wheel is a switch, while a self-starter is fitted on the instrument board in front of the pilot. The chassis consists of two "U"- shaped steel tube frames, braced by tubes from a point underneath the fuselage, the whole forming a very strong structure which offers comparatively little head resistance. Two pairs of wheels sprung in the usual way by means of rubber shock absorbers are mounted on the U-shaped frames, and facilitate starting from and alighting on the ground. If desired brakes can be fitted. Below we give a few particulars which, in connection with the scale drawings, should give a very good idea of the main characteristics of these machines which have met with a good deal of success in competitions, while a number of them have been purchased by the German military authorities :— Weight, empty : 1,300 lbs. Useful load : 440 lbs. and fuel for a 4 hours' flight. Average speed loaded as above : 73 m.p.h. Climbing speed: 3,300 ft. in 15 mins. Gliding angle : I in 7'5.
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