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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 0747.PDF
JULY 4, 1918. standard 230 h.p. cylinder was found to be exceptionallywide, i.e., 1.9 mm. As may be seen in Fig. 2, the gudgeon pin biases are fitted with steel bushes 2 mm. thick. Theseare cast into the bosses in the usual way. The gudgeon pins are 38 mm. diameter, and the gudgeon pin bosses are 65 mm.diameter. The method of fixing the gudgeon pin by a hexagon-headed set screw and split pin is standard Benzpractice. 11.13.; iron per cent., 1.42; silicon, 0.31; tin per cent.,nil; nickel per cent., nil ; manganese per cent., trace ; magnesium per cent., trace.As the engine from which these pistons were taken was found to be too badly damaged to carry out a test, it hasbeen impossible to ascertain the increased relative efficiency between this engine and the standard 230 h.p. Benz. Thecompression ratio, however, is apparently slightly higher in .—4- Fig. 4 Details of 230 h.p. Benz standard cast- iron piston. An annular semi-circular groove 4.5 radius is machined onthe bottom lip of the piston, as shown in the section drawing, Fig. 3 ; and the inside of the skirt is machined inside up asfax as the reinforcing rib of the scraper ring directly below toe gudgeon pin.Further details of the design of these aluminium pistons are shown in the illustrations, and the chemical compositionof the alloy from a metallurgical analysis carried out at R.A.E. is as follows : Copper per cent., 6.02 ; zinc per cent., the engines fitted with the aluminium pistons, and, as willbe seen in the detailed drawing ol the cast-iron Benz piston, which is given in Fig. 4 for reference, the distance betweenthe top of the piston and the central axis of the gudgeon pin is increased from 70 mm. to 71 mm., which gives approxi-mately 16.51 cubic cm. less in the clearance volume of each cylinder in engines fitted. with these aluminium pistons,which gives a compression ratio of 5 to 1 instead of 4.94 to 1.. ...:; - -.' . '„••••'• .-•„ - Air Council Cannot Lend Aeroplanes.THE Air Ministry receives numerous applications for the loan of aircraft in connection with movements for raisingfunds for charitable purposes and in connection with the collection of funds for providing aeroplanes for service with• the Royal Air Force. The number of these applications is, however, so largethat the Air Council, whilst in full sympathy with the charitable and patriotic enterprises concerned, have found themselvesobliged to refuse the loan of machines for ^exhibition or per- mission for the visits of aeroplanes.The Air Council have .reached this decision reluctantly, but the exigencies of the Service leave no option.In reply to numerous enquiries it is also desired to state that in cases where aeroplanes have been subscribed for andnamed after a particular locality, or body of persons, it will be impossible to record and maintain a histo^r of the careerin the Service of the particular machine subscribed for. R.A.F. Matron-in-Chief.Miss JOLLEY, Associate of the Royal Red Cross, is statedby the Nursing Mirror to have been appointed -I^atron-in- Chief of the Air Service. - • British Machine in Holland. "'THE Tclegraaf reports that a British biplane was forced to land near Breskens (close to Flushing) on the evening ofJune 29th' owing to engine trouble. The occupants, Lieut. Locker and Gunner Burcois, are both unhurt and will beinterned in Holland. They had flown from an aerodrome in France, and had dropped bombs near Bruges. An American Aerial Ambulance. ACCORDING to a despatch from Dallas, Texas, a hospitalaeroplane is the latest innovation in the American Aviation Service. It is an emergency aircraft manned by a skilledpilot, with a physician In the observer's seat, and it is kept ready during all hours of flying practice to enable medicalhelp to reach a fallen aviator. Good Work of American Flyers. Ml " THE excellent work of the American flying servicescontinues to excite the admiration and encourage the hopes of every one here," writes the Morning Post correspondentwith the American Army. " Their flying force grows daily. As pilots and observers, the Americans have already demon-strated that in audacity, individual initiative, and courage they are surpassed by none. Since the middle of April the American chasers have brought down 27 German aero-planes at the cost of less than half that number. Of the 27 Lieut. Douglas Campbell and Eddie Rickenbacker, the racingcyclist, have definitely brought down five each. " A few days ago four chasing machines were sent out toescort home three reconnaissance aeroplanes. When the pursuers were ten miles over the German lines they foundthe reconnaissance machines being attacked by certainly not fewer than eight Albatros machines. The Americansgave battle, and in a few minutes three of the enemy machines had fallen out of control. The Americans lost one man, who,according to a note dropped over the lines yesterday by a German airman, is a prisoner in Germany, but they won anotable victory. In another case one pilot scattered four enemy machines."Abortive Raid on Brindisi. A MESSAGE from Rome says that during a recent Austrianair raid upon Brindisi two enemy planes were brought down, one being captured. Several bombs were dropped, but nodamage was done. The enemy flew over in three squadrons at half-hour intervals."Germany Looking Ahead. _ UNDER the auspices of the German Air Forces, workingin conjunction with the aircraft industry, the first of a large series of industrial schools to train apprentices and artisans foraeroplane production has been established at Augsburg, Bavaria.German Aviators in Denmark. THE Danish Government, on June 24th, released thefour Germans who landed in Danish territory. It appears that the flight was prepared for several months ago andthree attempts were made before they got away from Neu Ruppin, Prussia. The German aeroplanes will be handedover to the military authorities in the same manner as all other material belonging to the belligerent Powers whichhas entered Danish territory since the outbreak of war. Major Baracca's Fate. AFTER considerable difficulty two Italian flying officerssucceeded in recovering the body of Major Baracca, the famous Italian aviator, who had brought down 34 enemy machinesand whose death was recorded in our last issue. He has apparently shot himself as there was a wound in his head anda revolver near his hand. He had said ti.at he would prefer suicide to falling alive into the hands of the enemy. 745
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