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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1076.PDF
AUGUST 14, 1919 The main planes have been designed with a high factor of safety, and are of standard wood construction with hollow box - section spars. Steel tubes are em ployed for the compression members, and internal bracing is by steel piano- wire. One set of " N " struts, of streamlined steel tubes, separate the top and bottom planes on each side of the fuselage, and the top centre section is sup ported above the fuselage by two pairs of vertical streamlined steel struts. This portion of the cellule alone is wire-braced. The upper and lower wings are hinged at the roots of the rear spars to the top centre section and fuselage respec tively. Bracing for lift and incidence is by streamlined steel tubes, which are anchored at their lower ends to the roots of the lower wings, and are thus not disconnected when folding the wings. In order to correct incidence, the rear lift struts are made adjustable. Both upper and lower wings are given a dihedral of about 5°, but are otherwise " straight." The top plane is staggered forward some 3 ins. When folded back the wings are supported and locked_by tubes attached to the Front view of the Austin "Whippet " with the wings folded. portion can easily be changed. The tail plane is of comparatively thick streamline section, and is braced by telescopic stream lined steel tubes. Its angle of incidence can also be adjusted to correct the e.g. for different weights of pilots. The elevators and rudder are of standard design, the framework being of steel tubing and the ribs of wood. A triangular vertical fin is mounted both above and below the uselage. The landing chassis is of the ordinary V-type, the V - struts terminating at their lower ends in pressed steel sockets, tubular tie- rods connecting each V. The axle rests in between the V where it is attached by the usual elastic cord. Bracing is by streamline steel wire. The tail skid is of the swivelling type, the skid itself being made of two steel pressings welded together. In order to pro vide a good wearing surface, a special shoe is fitted, consisting of ten vertical laminated plates. The spring ing of the skid is obtained by making the supporting strut of telescoping tubes operating on a compression spring. X -i Side view of the ^ Austin " Whip- Si pet," with the ^ wings folded. ^ ^ ^ ^ S ^ ^ & fuselage, and when in flying position are locked by a quick- release but positive locking device. Ailerons are fitted to the top planes only. The tail plane is of similar construction to the main planes, and consists of two outer portions and a centre portion, which simplifies the question of spares, as either outer H H Parliament and Wireless Telephony MANY Members of Parliament availed themselves of the opportunity of hearing something of the develop ment of wireless telephony at the demonstration on Monday arranged by Major-General Seely. The R.A.F., he said, took up the subject early in 1915, and by March, 1918, the first two squadrons of aeroplanes had been fitted with the apparatus, which gave them such an advantage that it was found that German machines took care to avoid them. The postal aeroplanes, such as those plying between Kenley and France, are now so fitted. Ranges of 100 miles from an aeroplane and of 165 miles from an airship have been obtained and could be increased by the use of larger aerials at the receiving stations, if any good purpose would be served thereby. The elevators and ailerons are operated in the usual way by a " joy-stick," and the rudder and tail skid by rudder-bar. Operating rods are used for the engine control. For starting the engine a small induction pump is fitted, which forces a firing mixture into the cylinders, and a starting magneto inside the fuselage ignites this charge. H H The members heard a gramophone in action at Aperfield Court, 20 miles away, and communication was next estab lished with aeroplanes sent up from Biggin Hill aerodrome. After some jamming the observer on a Nieuport machine was heard to state that he could hear everything sent to him, that he was then approaching the river, and that he could not yet see the Houses of Parliament. General Seely invited the observer and pilot to dine with him at the House of Commons, and asked that the same invitation might be communicated to other aeroplanes in the air within 20 miles. Some other machines were then picked up and requested to give their positions. Another part of the demonstration concerned direction- finding by wireless for the navigation of aircraft and an inter communication telephone was also shown by General Seely. 1078
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