FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0933.PDF
SEPTEMBER II, 1914. I7HE9 THE " ROUND BRITAIN " MACHINES. THE machine numbered 6 in the Circuit of Britain, and which was to have been piloted by Capt E. C. Bass, is The White and Thompson Curtiss Flying Boat. This machine, although following standard Curtiss practice in its general lay out, differs in numerous details from the American-built Curtiss boats. One of the side area of the boat. Six pairs of spruce struts separate the main planes, the whole wing structure being made rigid by diagonal cross bracing. Mounted on strong ash bearers resting on a structure of steel tubes sloping upwards from the lower main spars is the engine—a 120 h.p. Beardmore A.D.—which drives a four-bladed propeller situated behind the planes, the ROUND BRITAIN MACHINES, No. 6.—Three-quarter front view of the White and Thompson flying boat. innovations incorporated, which is apt to be overlooked by the casual observer, but which is nevertheless of the greatest importance, is the new wing section. Instead of the usual Curtiss section, one like the R.A.F. 6 has been chosen, and appears to have several advantages over the original Curtiss. The wings are rectangular, as seen in plan, and the top plane is of considerably greater span than the lower one, the weight of the extensions being trailing edge of which has been cut away in the centre to provide the necessary clearance. The main petrol tank is placed inside the boat, whence petrol is pumped by means of a pressure pump to a smaller service tank mounted on the bearers in front of the engine. The capacity of the petrol tank is 60 gallons, or sufficient for a flight of about six hours' duration. The boat, which has been constructed by Messrs. ROUND BRITAIN MACHINES, No. 6.-Three-quarter rear view of the "White and Thompson flying boat. taken, when the machine is at rest, by steel tubes sloping downwards and inwards to the lower extremities of the outer inter-plane struts. Interconnected balancing flaps are hinged to the rear spar of the upper plane, and not, as in the original Curtiss machines, to the plane struts. A vertical fin is fitted above the upper main plane in order, no doubt, to counteract the comparatively large Saunders of Cowes, is a beautiful piece of work, as is to be expected from a firm of such standing. It is built up of two skins of mahogany, copper sewn, over a frame work of ash and spruce. In front the boat is of roomy proportions, and affords ample accommodation for pilot and passenger, who sit side by side inside a very com fortable cockpit. From the nose to the step, which is placed 933
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
