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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1653.PDF
DECEMBER 25, 1919 SOME POST-WAR SOPWITH MACHINES THE Sopwith Aviation and Engineering Co. is by no means disposed to rest upon its laurels, and testimony to this effect is furnished by the origination of the three new peace types : the "Dove," the "Gnu" and the "Transport." Further, the company's design and experimental department is being maintained at its full strength and is as busy as ever. Some interesting developments are likely to be heard of in the near future. With the single exception of lighter-than-air craft their experience as that of pioneer designer-constructors covers all types of aircraft, flying boats, sea planes and " land " machines. Furthermore they have built, and had standardised, everything from bombers and torpedo-carriers to high-speed scouts, and in every type they have attained eminence. No better proof of this could be asked than the The construction of this machine is on normal lines. It is of interest to note that the " Transport " is practically identical with the machine upon which the Atlantic flight was attempted last May, and is also very similar to the " Wallaby " upon which Capt. Matthews fl;w to Australia, which was described in FLIGHT for October 16 last. It is fitted with an " Eagle 8 " Rolls-Royce engine, and has a factor of safety of 6-5. An adjustable tail plane is fitted. The following are the principal characteristics of both the passenger and cargo types.:— Span, 46 ft. 6 ins. ; chord, 6 ft. 3 ins. ; stagger, 3 ins. ; dihedral, 2J0; overall length, 28 ft. ; height, 12 ft. ; area of main planes, 547 sq. ft. ; weight of machine fully loaded, 5,500 lbs. ; speed, 115 m.p.h. The Sopwith " Gnu " three-seater limousine, 200 h.p. B.A. 2 way in which their type names have become household words. The " Transport " can be adapted for use either as a cargo machine or for the purpose of conveying passengers. In the former case, accommodation is provided for one pilot and passenger with 1,500 lbs. of cargo, and in the latter, arrange ments are made for carrying five passengers and one pilot, four passengers being carried in the centre of the machine and one in the pilot's cock-pit behind the wings. Petrol is carried for six hours at a cruising speed of 90 miles per hour in the case of the passenger carrier, and, when adapted for use as a cargo . machine, fuel is provided for 8 hours at a cruising speed of 90 miles per hour. The " Gnu " is a light high-performance three-seater pas senger or goods machine of the single-engined tractor type, having an enclosed cabin for the passengers or goods at the rear of the main planes. There are two models of the " Gnu," but these differ only as regards the engine fitted, and, consequently, in the performance. In one model a Iio h.p. Le Rhone is fitted, and in the other a 200-h.p. Bentley rotary, the latter giving an extra 17 m.p.h. in the speed and a slight increase in range and climb. The general construc tion conforms with usual practice and the factor of safety is 6. The following characteristics apply to both models. Span, 38 ft. ; chord, 5 ft. ; gap, 5 ft. ; stagger, 11 ins. ; dihedral, z\°; overall length, 25 ft. 6 ins. ; height, 10 ft. ; The Sopwith " Dove " sporting two-seater, 80 h.p. Le Rhone 1655
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