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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 1083.PDF
SEPTEMBER 26, 1918. greatest assurance of even dimensioning all over the cylinderwalls ; and another, the lug attachment of the big-end of one connecting rod to the foot of the other. This is themethod of one American aeromotor, in that instance dis- tinctly- faulty. In this case, however, the relative angle ofthe opposite cylinders, and of the lug itseif, agrees so that anywhere about the firing period the lug is in true line withthe attached rod ; so that the explosion shock is probably directly taken, with no undue strain on pin .or lug, and littleor no " necking" effect to weaken the latter. Still, one suggests that it is not a point of practice to copy, as thereare other and more effective methods of obtaining the direct opposition of cylinders and a short wrist-pin.It may also be suggested somewhat as a defect of all these examples so far, that the piston rings, few or numerous, wereall extremely stiff and likely to subtract from power developed. We seem to await improvement in this detail.A fine example of the 12-cylinder model of Rolls-Royce make is also on view. Detail description is, of course, not per-missible, so the only impression of it that can be conveyed— perhaps the most comprehensive—is the manifest studiousness of it's detail • Hence, doubtless, its established reliability.It may perhaps be urged that there may be more commercial designs for quantity production on a commercial basis. Butthat is not the intention of the design, so much as reliability for present Service needs.The same may be said of the Beardmore " six " ; the features of v/hich are long familiar to most readers of" FLIGHT," and, one imagines, call for no technical criticismnot long since thrashed out. Two examples of the Rhone and Clerget rotaries were shown, particularly interesting forthe peculiar eccentric distribution gear each embodies : the action, converse in each case, obtaining the same motion-result ; the one by a progressive throw and the other directly. Both afforded, as reproductions, the most refined examplesof British material and workmanship and it may be that the rotary type has not outlived its usefulness nearly as muchas is sometimes contended. Its power limit may have been reached, but there may be all sorts of arrangements of appli-cation for which the demands of war forbid experiment, that, when exploited, may keep it in commercial use.G. DK H. S. 13 H NEW GERMAN "CHASER." THE SIEMENS-SCHUCKERT BIPLANE. THE following is a translation of an article published in Le Matin of August 18th :—" The reverses which the Germans have suffered with their ' chasers,' which since last March have been very muchinferior to those of the Allies, have led them to venture into new designs." Some time ago we have remarked upon the new Fokker D VII biplane, whose fighting value is far below that of theAllies' fighting 'planes. Our enemies have also put into service the Halberstadt C II fitted with a 160 h.p. motor(Mercedes). They hoped to make a record with this machine, but they were forced to recognise that the relatively slowspeed of the machine—165 kilometres per hour—its great " The rotary motor of 260 h.p. moves a four-bladed pro*peller after the English fashion. Certain 'planes of the same type are fitted with the modified 260 h.p. Mercedes." The armament consists of two machine-guns firing together or separately, through the propeller." The Germans say that this aeroplane is very easy on con- trols and that it ' stunts,' and in particular ' cartwheels 'and ' loops ' with surprising ease. They also say that its climbing speed is excellent, and that it climbs to 6,000metres in 15 minutes. They have said the same of their Pfalz, their Fokkers, and their Halberstadts, that oneis tempted to believe that they take their ideals for realities! On the left a type C 5 D.F.W. biplane. Note the housing around the engine. On the right the Siemens Single-Seater. From the fact that It is said to be the type D I, and a publication of the illustration in a German paper has been allowed, it appears improbable that this is one of the Siemens-Schuckert machines of which a gooddeal in now heard ar»* seen on the Western Front. The machine has a distinctly " Nieuporty " appearance. weight of 45 kgs. per square metre of carrying surface, madeit inferior to our machines in speed and handiness. " For some little time the Germans have placed in theirfighting squadrons a few of the new Siemens-Schuckert biplanes, fitted with a rotary motor, eleven cylindered, andgiving 260 h.p. " The Siemens-Schuckert workshops which are producingthis new chaser also construct large bombing machines of the Lizenz type with three or five motors." This ' chaser,' with a span of 7 metres and 6 metres in length, is short and squat in appearance. To obtain stabilityit has been necessary to fit a fixed plane to the tail, and to have an elevator of large dimensions." The upper and lower planes are of the same span, and balanced ailerons are fitted to both planes. The upper planeis rectangular in shape ; it is made in one piere, but cut away to allow the pilot a better view. The lower plane is staggeredto the rear, but it is of smaller chord than the upper wing. " But what must be remembered is the haste with whichthe Germans have tried to invent and to construct new machines in order to recover a little of the prestige of theirair services which has been in a bad way for the last -six months. The construction and transport has not beenwithout difficulty. Witness the orders for the 40th Division :—" ' The slowress which is found in the replacing of aero- planes and in the repair of existing machines, and the ever-increasing difficulty of recruiting the personnel of the air services, oblige us to economise in onr air forces. The forceswill be directed with the distinct intention of refusing to par- ticipate in any mission which is not of primary importancein the war. This severe discipline, necessary because of the artillery action (which ought not to be held up for an instantduring the present artillery duel), will not permit the use of battle planes for a moment longer than is absolutelynecessary.' " More Protests by Holland. HOLLAND has protested to Germany against the violationsof Dutch territory by a German monoplane flying over the IO83 town of Sas van Gent on August 15th. Holland has alsoprotested to Germany against violation of Dutch territory by German aeroplanes on August 4th and August 21st.
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