FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1919
1919 - 0434.PDF
APRIL 3, 1919 " MILESTONES - THE ARMSTRONG-WHITWORTH MACHINES BEFORE commencing a description of the A.W. machines, as the aeroplanes built by Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co., Ltd., of Newcastle, are usually called, a short re ference to the history of the firm may be of interest to those who have not had the opportunity of following at close quarters the developments that have taken place since the A.W. aviation department was first formed in 1913. Although it is not generally realised, it is nevertheless a fact that aeroplanes were built by this firm as early as 1912, in which year the first aeroplane, a Farman type biplane with 50 h.p. Gnome engine, was constructed, and was afterwards sold to A. V. Roe and Co., of Brooklands, who used it for school work. This machine was built at the Elswick works, and The 90 h.p. Biplane Type, F.K3 1915 In August, 1915, a biplane having a 90 h.p. R.A.F. engine was put in hand, intended to compete with the B.E. 2c. This machine, the F.K. 3, was successful in its trial flights, and a large order for these machines was placed with the firm during 1916. The output of F.K. 3's, which were constructed alongside the B.E. 2c's, had now reached from 20 to 25 per month, and complete squadrons were equipped for service on the various fronts. In addition a large number were employed for training pilots at home. From tht illustrations it will be seen that the F.K. 3 is not unlike, in a general way, the B.E. zc, which it was intended to sup plant. There is the same large gap and shallow, narrow The A.W. Biplane, Type F.K. 3, fitted with 90 h.p. R.A.F. engine. it was not until August the following year, 1913, that the Armstrong-Whitworth aircraft department was formed, with works in the sawmills at Scotswood, near Newcastle. The War Office placed orders with the firm for a small number of B.E. 2A biplanes, the first of which was completed in April, 1914. Further small orders were subsequently received for the improved type of machine known as the B.E. 2B, and these were completed in August, 1914. The aeroplane works were then transferred to new premises on the Town Moor, Gosforth, and on the outbreak of War, the War Office issued instructions to extend the works, placing at the same time large orders for B.E. 2C biplanes. The extensions were rapidly completed, and good progress in the production of aircraft was made, the output being from four to six machines per week. In the meantime, Mr. Frederick Koolhoven, now managing director of the British Aerial Transport Co. joined the firm as designer, and from his drawing board issued a series of aeroplanes of various types, some of which did not survive the experimental stage, but many of which went into production and became well known on practically all the fighting fronts. A number of these ex perimental machines are not included in this series, as we have been unable to obtain from Messrs. Armstrong, Whit worth and Co. any data relating to them. fuselage. The undercarriage is, however, different from that of the B.E. 2C, and consists of a central skid mounted on two pairs of Vees from the fuselage, and of a two-wheel running gear mounted on shock absorbers in the side of the body, somewhat after the fashion of the old R.E.P. monoplanes in France. The 160 h.p. Biplane, Type F.K. 8 1916 Towards the end of 1916 a larger and improved type of two-seater tractor biplane was designed. This machine, the F.K. 8, was fitted with a 160 h.p. Beardmore engine, and had two machine guns and a wireless installation. It proved a great success, and was built in great quantities, both by the original designers and by other firms. Squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps were equipped with it and used it on all the fighting fronts, its duties including night and day bombing, artillery spotting and reconnaissance, trench fighting, dropping of food to advanced troops, etc. Towards the end of 1917 the output of complete machines of this type in the A.W. works had reached between 80 and 100 machines per month. Construction was continued until July, 1918, when the machine was superseded by the Bristol Fighter. The illustrations will give a good idea of the general fines of the F.K. 8, which, owing to being fitted with a vertical engine, has a certain similarity to German aero- The A.W. Biplane, Type F.K. 8, with 160 h.p. Beardmore engine. 434
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
