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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 0714.PDF
JULY 8, 1920 AERD JQ2O THE MACHINES WHILE it may be true to say that there will not be many machines of really new design on view at Olympia, the show will afford visitors their first opportunity of studying at close range the details of a number of machines which have proved their efficiency and suitability for useful commercial work. Two outstanding impressions will be the increasing vogue of enclosed cabins and the continued progress in the utilisation of metal for the construction of the machines. Below will be found some notes giving the general characteristics of the machines on view, and next week we purpose supplementing this with details of the methods of construction, etc. Austin Motor Co., Ltd. (STAND 66) Longbridge Works, Northfield, Birmingham ONE type of machine, the " Whippet," is being shown— one complete machine, and one " dissected "—by the Austin Co. The " Whippet" is a single-seater tractor biplane for civil use, suitable for business, sport and pleasure. It is essentially a one-man 'plane, being designed specially for the " owner-pilot," maintenance and flying being brought to the greatest degree of ease and simplicity. This is achieved in the " Whippet" by constructing the fuselage entirely of AUSTIN WHIPPET steel, and fitting streamlined steel struts in place of bracing wires, thus doing away with the necessity of constant re- rigging. It also has folding wings—which are very securely locked in position when flying—enabling the machine to be housed in a shed 18 ft. long, 9 ft. wide and 8 ft. high. It is an easy machine to fly—it can be flown with " hands off "— and the landing speed as low as 35 m.p.h. The steel con- struction is also advantageous in tropical climates, apart from the question of strength and ability to withstand rough usage. -*--• ...... - , .... : The engine is a 45-50 h.p. 6-cyl. radial Anzani, with which a maximum speed, at ground level, of 95 m.p.h. is obtained. .> The speed at 10,000 ft. is 80 m.p.h., and the climb to 5,000 ft. and 10,000 ft. is 9 mins. and 22 mins., respectively. The wings, which have a high factor of safety, are of standard construction, whilst the tail plane can be adjusted to suit different weights of pilots. An orthodox V-type landing chassis is fitted, and the tail skid is steerable, consisting of a compression spring working inside telescopic tubes; in order to give a good wearing surface, a special shoe is fitted, consisting of vertical laminated plates. A comfortable seat is fitted, and the cowling and wind- -' screen are arranged so as to give complete protection to the pilot. A cupboard is provided under the seat for luggage and tools. In addition to the foregoing, the Austin glaridless petrol pump is also exhibited. Wm. Beardmore and Co., Ltd. (STAND 65) ; Parkhead, Glasgow IN addition to a 6-cyl. 160 h.p. Beardmore aero engine, a section of a passenger car as used on R. 36 type rigid commercial airship, models of R. 34 rigid airship, H.M.S. " Argus "—the first " floating aerodrome "—the W.B. IX flying boat, parts of R. 34, bombs, and several interesting photographs, two complete post-War aeroplanes are being shown by the Beardmore Co. One of these machines, the W.B. II, is a two-seater tractor biplane, similar in general design to the W.B. II fighting, reconnaissance and long- distance patrol machine used in the R.A.F. The fuselage is of the braced girder type, having four ash longerons and struts of spruce, braced with swaged steel rods, and faired to a circular cross-section. Special attention is given to the comfort of the pilot and passenger who are seated in tandem, Three-quarter front view of the Austin "Whippet " in skeleton form 714
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