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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 0661.PDF
JUNE 24, 1920 THE V1CKERS "VIKING AN extremely interesting film was shown at Vickers Houselast week in which their very clever sea and land flying boat was convincingly seen. This craft which would, exceptfor unforeseen circumstances, have been staged at the Paris Show, will be on view at Olympia. The neat way in whichthe craft came down the launching stage on her own wheels and took the water with the ease of a duck and within amoment or two had tucked away by her side her land im- pedimenta and rose gracefully from the sea, climbing welland quickly getting fine speed, was a revelation. Later she was seen emerging out of the distance, gradually descendingto the sea again, and continuing to taxy towards the shore. As the edge of the sands was approached, one began to hull. The top deck of the hull is perfectly flat and horizontal,whilst the sides are also flat and vertical, giving a simplicity of form that Should make for ease of construction. The pilot's and passengers' cockpits are enclosed by aroomy " glass-house " cabin, more or less streamlined. If required, three seats may be removed, giving 76 cubic ft.of space for freight or mails. The landing gear terra firmaj consists of two self-contained units, each comprising 'a wheelmounted on a shock-absorbing arm, which is pivoted at its upper end to the hull-side at a point some distance abovethe first step. When desired each wheel unit may be • swung up alongside the hull by means of a crank mountedoh the wheel arm, and operated through rods from the Three-quarter front view of the Vickers "Viking" amphibious flying-boat wonder when she was going to come to and turn in thewater. But nearer and nearer she continued straight to the spectators on the sands, and it was then realised, as sheglided gently out of the sea that she had again her land gear in operation enabling her to run up the sands withoutthe slightest effort or assistance. Yes, a very convincing performance. The Vickers " Viking " is a five-seater amphibious biplaneof the flying-boat type, capable of starting from and alighting on either land or water. The hull is of the two-step typeof rather unusual pattern, as may be seen from the accompany- ing illustration. The planing surfaces, from stem to stern,are of V-fo'rm, the curves of the keel and chine lines being convex as far as the first step, but between the latter andthe second step—which is situated some distance aft—they are concave, and from the second step the V bottom slopesupwards and tapers to the vertical knife-edge stern of the French Air Attaches , " • 'ONE of the clauses of a bill for safeguarding the French national interests in connection with aerial services has beendrafted under the direction of the Under-Secretary of State for Aerial Transport, provides for the appointment in themore important foreign capitals of an air attache. This official would be charged with the duty of collecting informa-tion with regard to the progress of aeronautics in the country to which he was appointed, and would keep the French AirMinistry informed of all developments. --. , : -•••' • List of Licensed PilotsTHE Air Ministry has just issued a list of civil pilots' licences granted and which were still in force on May 31.Th.3 list, which specifices the number of licence, name of pilot, class, types of machines qualified on, date of expirationof licence, and the age of pilot in the case of those licensed to carry passengers, can be consulted at the Department of CivilAviation, Air Ministry, Kingsway. Aircraft Distress Signals MARINERS and others are notified by the Admiralty thatwhen any aircraft is in distress and requires assistance the following will be the signals displayed by her, either together cabin. A tail skid is mounted on the keel at the secondstep. The engine, a 360 h.p. Rolls-Royce, Eagle VIII, is mountedin a streamline housing above the hull immediately below the top plane, and drives a 4-bladed pusher screw. The mainplanes are of equal span and chord, without stagger or sweep- back, but with lower plane set at a comparatively largedihedral angle. A biplane tail is fitted having two balanced rudders, in between which is a vertical fin. Wing-tip floatsare also fitted. The general characteristics of the Vickers " Viking " are :—Span .. .". 46 ft. o ins. , . Chord .. .. .. .. .. 6 ft. o ins.Gap .. .. .. .. .. 7 ft. o ins. Overall length 32 ft. o ins.Overall height 13 ft. o ins. Weight fully laden " 4,545 lbs. or separately :—(1) The international signal " S.O.S.," bymeans of visual or wireless telegraphy ; (2) the international code signal of distress, indicated by N.C. ; (3) the distantsignal, consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball, or anything resembling a ball; (4) a continuous soundingwith any sound apparatus; (5) a signal consisting of a succession of white Very's lights, fired at short intervals.Air Fight at Torchlight Tattoo - - BEFORE the War the Aldershot Torchlight Tattoo wasan imposing spectacle, but the one held last week surpassed any which had preceded it. Not only was it a bigger affairthan ever before, but the R.A.F. took a most active part in the proceedings.. In a pyramid of searchlights, machinesfrom the Night Bombing Squadron at Andover reproduced an aerial combat, complete with the rattle of machine guns.Afterwards illuminated machines went up and gave a clever display of night-flying, fireworks adding to the effect. TheTattoo was given on three nights, and, judging by the great crowds which were attracted, the various military charitiesshould benefit substantially. Squadron-Leader C. H. B. Blount, M.C., R.A.F., who was responsible for the aircraftdisplay, is to be congratulated on the success of this part of the Tattoo. 66l
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