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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 0764.PDF
JUNE 12, 1919 THE VICKERS F.B.24G.—The engine is a 275 h.p. Lorraine. of the general increase in the speed of aircraft at this period. It is of interest to note that the same trouble developed in a contemporary machine which was ultimately fitted with a solid 3-ply leading edge to overcome this difficulty. This second F.B. 16, known as the F.B. I6A, was then sent on to the Testing Squadron at Martlesham Heath, from where an excellent report on its all-round performance was received. According to official tests, it beat the S.E. 5 and other types with similar engines, but the Air Board rightly decided that it would be unwise to disturb production of existing orders at a critical time. The F.B. 24. (1916) The next type of interest is the F.B. 24. This machine was originally designed in December, 1916, to take the Hart motor. The top plane was placed low, and the gunner, who was in the rear, had an excellent all-round field of fire. After many vicissitudes, owing to the difficulty of obtaining from the Government engines of sufficient power, the type was abandoned for the time being. Later, the machine was re-designed to take various other engines, the 220 h.p. and 275 h.p. Lorraine being installed, also the 200 h.p. Hispano-Suiza. The results of the tests on this machine with the new 275 h.p. Lorraine engine proved to be very satis factory, it attaining a speed of 130 m.p.h. at 10,000 ft., and climbing to this height in 11 minutes. The F.B. 25. (1917) This machine was constructed at the request of the War Office to take the Crayford rocket gun for use in Zeppelin raids, and was designed for a 200 h.p. Hispano-Suiza engine, but when the time arrived to instal the engine, an engine of this make, but of only. 150 h.p., was allotted, the performance of the machine naturally being materially affected. It was, however, crashed by the Service pilot on its way to Martlesham in May, 1917, and as the inflammatory bullet had just been introduced into the Corps, the rocket gun was abandoned, and the machine with it. The FJB. 26. (July, 1917) The F.B. 26, constructed in July, 1917, was the outcome of the first Pusher Scout, the F.B. 12, which, having proved so handy, was modified to take the 150 h.p. Hispano-Suiza engine. This machine was flown by Capt. Barker and Capt. McCudden, V.C., D.S.O., both of whom were very pleased with its performance and general manceuvreability. Six more were constructed to take Eeman triple gun-mounts ; both forward and elevated, the forward mountings proving very satisfactory, but the elevated mount ings, being too unwieldy, were abandoned. The machines were tested at Martlesham, and later at Biggin Hill. A further modification, which was armoured and intended for trench strafing, was also constructed to take the 200 h.p. B.R. 2 engine, the results proving eminently satisfactory. At the conclusion of hostili ties, Messrs. Vickers, Ltd., were still awaiting orders concerning this type of machine. The F.B. 27 " Vimy." (Nov., 1917) In June, 1917, Messrs. Vickers, Ltd., were invited by the Air Board to submit designs for a twin- THE VICKERS VAMPIRE."—This machine, which is a modification of the F.B. 26,is armoured and intended for trench fighting. The engine is a 200 h.p. B.R.2 764
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