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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0741.PDF
THE NEW VICRERS GUN-CARRYING BIPLANE. A NEW Vickers biplane of the gun-carrying type made its initial appearance at Brooklands last week under weather conditions which were anything but favourable. When Mr. Barnwell took the machine out there was a strong wind blowing, and matters were not improved by the heat eddies set up by the glaring sun. In spite of these disadvantages, however, the machine behaved excel lently, and appeared to be well balanced both longitudinally and laterally, Mr. Barnwell commencing to do right- and left-hand turns after once having got the " feel" of the machine. On subsequent flights the engine was switched off in order to test the gliding angle, which appeared to be exceptionally good. A good idea of the general arrangement of the machine may be gained from the accompanying photographs. The nacelle, it will be seen, is comparatively shallow at the nose, thus greatly reducing the side area in front, whilst the rear vertical surface, formed by the rudder and fixed fin, is of ample proportions, so that there is little doubt that the machine will prove to be spirally stable. The main planes—of which the upper one has a considerable overhang with the weight taken by cables running over king posts—are separated by six pairs of struts. With the exception of the four inner struts, made of steel tubes, which pass through the nacelle, all the inter-plane struts as well as the struts in the tail outrigger are of wood. Four steel tubes, forming a V, as seen in plan, carry the tail planes, and practically all the cross bracing is effected by stranded cable in preference to piano wire. The engine fitted is a loo h.p. Gnome monosoupape driving a Vickers propeller. In its constructional details such as clips and sockets the machine incor porates a number of highly ingenious ideas, and the workmanship throughout the machine is of very high quality. ® $ $ ® ROYAL FLYING CORPS. THE following was announced by the Admiralty on the 2nd inst.:— Flight-Lieut. A. W. Bigsworth, promoted to the rank of Flight Commander, with seniority of July 1st, and appointed to " President," additional, as Flight Commander for Calshot Naval Air Station. The following was announced by the Admiralty on the 7th inst. :— Commander E. A. D. Masterman, to the "President," additional, for Naval Air Department, temporary, to date July 1st. ROYAL FLYING CORPS (MILITARY WING). WAR OFFICE summary of work for week ending June 27th :— Concentration Camp.—Headquarters, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Squadrons, Aircraft Park and Headquarter Flight.—On Monday, June 22nd, two composite Squadrons took part in the King's Birthday Parade Reviews at Aldershot and Salisbury Plain. The composite Squadrons consisted of flights of the following machines : B.E., Bleriot, Sopwith and Henry Farman. In each case the machines and detachments were inspected, and then flew past the saluting point. The training programme consisted of aircraft and M.T. exercises, speed, climbing and landing tests. Experiments, lectures and discussions were carried out daily during the remainder of the week. The camp was visited on June 26th by the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Mr. Harold Baker, M.P., Financial Secretary of the War Office. General Hubert Hamilton and several members of the Headquarter Staff of the Southern Command were also present. The party motored from Andover to one of the temporary landing grounds selected in connection with the aircraft exercise for the day. The Prime Minister examined various observers' reports, and then watched the machines leave for Netheravon. Motoring on to Netheravon he inspected the sheds and workshops. After luncheon he witnessed flights by various types of machines, and after inspecting No. 2 Squadron, and visiting several barrack blocks, the Institute, and Sergeants' Mess in camp, the party left for Upavon to visit the Central Flying School. The annual athletic sports were held on June 20th, Headquarters winning the Inter-Squadron Cup. During the week No. 5 Squadron won the Inter-Squadron Boxing Challenge Cup and No. 2 Squadron the cross-country run. The final of the Inter-Squadron Cricket Cup will be played early next week. War Office summary of work for week ending July 4th, 1914 :— Concentration Camp.—The training programme was con tinued up till Thursday, on which day the Camp broke up. On Monday, June 29th, the Camp was visited by Lord Roberts, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and a party of Military Attaches. After the Aircraft exercise in the morning, Lord Roberts presented cups for the various Inter-Squadron Competitions. In the afternoon a number of machines were paraded, and, ascending at intervals of one minute, flew a circuit of the Plain. On June 30th the Aircraft exercise consisted of machines searching for a disabled aircraft represented by a balloon. The balloon ascended at 10 o'clock, from an unknown point some 30 miles from Netheravon. The balloon was located by 50 per cent, of the machines, each machine on seeing it having to circle round so that the number on its tail could be seen by the pilot of the balloon. The day was hazy, with the result that the balloon could only be seen at a maximum distance of 8 miles. The altitude of the balloon varied from 2,000 to 5,000 ft. On the morning of the 2nd inst. the Commanding Officer held a final conference attended by all officers. The main features of the work which had been done during June were touched on—the Air craft and M.T. exercises, speed, climbing and landing tests with machines of various types and ages, experiments, night flying, lectures and discussions. The Concentration has been of much value from many poinds of view. The following letter has been received from the War Office :— " I am to inform you that the Secretary of State for War has expressed his appreciation of the excellent arrangements made for the Concentration of the Military Wing of the Royal Flying Corps at Netheravon, and of the good work which has been carried out by the Corps during the past month." Headquarters, Headquarter Flight, Aircraft Park and No. 6 Squadron returned to Farnborough on Thursday ; Nos. 3 and 4 remain at Netheravon, their permanent station. No. 5 Squadron moves to Fort Grange, Gosport, a new station, on Monday next, and No. 2 will start their journey back to Montrose on the 13th. The training during the ensuing months leading up to manoeuvres will consist of reconnaissance work with the cavalry, with brigades and divisions, observation of artillery fire, experiments and long cross-country work. The development of the two new Squadrons, Nos. 1 and 7, is being continued at Farnborough. TWO GERMAN MACHINES WHICH HAVE EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES TO THEIR CREDIT.- Left, the " Roland * biplane, and right, the " Roland " Taube. Both built by the Luf t-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft, Berlin. 741
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