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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1424.PDF
An Improved U.S. Navy B-Class Dirigible with single double-cambered fins Improvements in B Class The improvements of most interest were those which led to an increase in speed. The first ships had a speed of about 40 m.p.h. It was found that one of the vertical fins could safely be left off, thus cutting down the resistance of one fin and its supporting wires. Later the car was suspended closer to the envelope, shortening the suspension and saving resistance. Still later, the suspension itself was simplified and knots and loops cleaned up. A somewhat longer and easier form of envelope gave greater lift and probably less, or at least no more, resistance. The air pipes to the ballonets were placed inside the envelope to save resistance. Improved propellers were developed also. The air scoop finally became only a short sheet metal tube hinged to the envelope proper, which could be let down into the slip-stream of the propeller or pulled up out of the way, greatly decreasing the resistance and weight of the ship by eliminating the scoop under the car, the blower and air line to the bag. As a result, the speed was progressively raised from 40 miles to 48 miles with the same engine. The designed maximum speed was 45 m.p.h., but the contractors were required to guarantee 35 only. The F-l pusher type dirigible, a modification of the B-Ciass. Below a view of the car 1426
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