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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1212.PDF
SEPTEMBER II, IQIQ THE GRAHAME-WHITE "AERO-LIMOUSINE" WHAT may be described as the first item on the post-War programme of the Grahame-White Co. has made its appear ance, and looks like making a success of the future before it. We refer to the "Aero-Limousine," which has just success fully emerged from its initial trials at Hendon, and which is illustrated and described herewith. Although in general design and construction it presents nothing of a startling nature, a close inspection reveals a careful consideration of every detail that makes for efficient and thorough design. The ultimate use to which this machine seating accommodation for six passengers on the lines indi cated by one of the accompanying drawings. The whole of the interior of the cabin is upholstered in a neat grey Bedford cord, whilst large Triplex windows, extending completely round the sides and front of the cabin, give plenty of light and afford an excellent view in every direction. A large door on the port side of the cabin—well clear of the tractor screw—and a strong foot-step allow of easy access. There is an adjustable ventilator in the nose of the cabin, and two air-outlets in the rear of the roof for ventilation, whilst the 11 1 »;?g • LA \. ^Bfl&r -"•••••••*•,•.••.....• PBfe Three-quarter front view of the Grahame-White " Aero-Limousine." is to be put has been borne in mind in the design of each detail throughout. It has been the aim of the designer, M. Boudot, to produce in this machine the safety, combined with the comfort, of the passengers, and reliability rather than mere performance, and the question of weight has not been allowed to predominate over strength, utility and comfort. The " Aero-Limousine " is a fuselage biplane fitted with two engines, one mounted between the upper and lower planes on each side of the fuselage, driving direct four-bladed tractor screws. The passenger's cabin, which is in the extreme nose of the fuselage, is, so far, the most comfortable and luxuriously temperature can be regulated by means of an electrically heated carpet. Communication can be made with the pilot by means of a speaking tube,, and an air speed indicator and altimeter are fitted in front of the cabin. The pilot's cockpit is situated at the rear of and imme diately above the cabin. It is exceptionally roomy and com fortable, and ample protection is provided by means of a sort of conning tower. The view, too, from the pilot's cockpit is quite good. All the instruments are neatly disposed around the cockpit, and the engine and petrol controls are located on the right and left-hand sides respectively. The engine switches, which can be operated either separately or simul- Three-quarter rear view of the Grahame-White " Aero-Limousine. fitted one we have seen. It is apparant that the Grahame- White Co.'s experience in motor car body work—which, by the way, has been one of the firm's " side-lines " for some time back—has come in useful. The whole cabin, in fact, is exactly similar to a first-class motor-car body, even to the outside finish. In this first model provision is made for four passengers, seated in pairs tandem fashion, the left-hand front seat being hinged so as to swing back and give accesstothe front seats*. In future models, however, it is proposed to lengthen the cabin and provide two additional tip-up seats giving a taneously, are mounted slightly forward on the left-hand side of the pilot. The control is of the wheel and rudder bar type, the arrange ment of the rudder bar being most noteworthy. In this the bar is mounted below the cockpit floor, in which are cut two slots having their edges reinforced on the top by steel plates. Working in these slots, and sliding on the plates, are the foot pedals, which are connected to the rudder bar by a spindle extending below each and working in a slot in the rudder bar. The rudder bar is "of wood* reinforced by steel plates with 1214 * **> •
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