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Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0203.PDF
MARCH 24, 1921 THE D.H. 18 LIMOUSINE 450 H.P. Napier Lion Engine IN many respects one of the most remarkable machines designed by Capt. de Havilland, the D.H. 18 Limousine, of which we publish illustrations this week, is the first really commercial aeroplane produced by that famous designer. The majority of the machines in use by Aircraft Transport and Travel on the London-Continent routes, until the unfor- tunate demise of that firm some months ago, were converted war machines, and although they did excellent work, they could not compare for suitability and economy with the " 18," specially designed for the work. Thus it may be remembered that in the paper read by Mr. H. White Smith before the Air Conference at the Guildhall last year, figures ordinarily good results. These machines were built by the Aircraft Manufacturing Co., before that firm ceased to exist as an aircraft firm, and thus the machine, as a type, is not new. A modernised version is, however, nearing completion at the Stag Lane works of the De Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd., and it is therefore thought that a few notes dealing with this machine may be of jnterest. It should be pointed out that the machine now being constructed is similar in all main characteristics to the earlier machines, but minor alterations and improvements which experience has suggested are being incorporated in the latest specimen. The accompanying photographs show one of the earlier models, but the detail i- THE D.H. 18 : Side view. were given of the cost of operating a service with six machines, each flying i.ooo hours per annum, and the honour of showing the lowest figure per passenger mile, per passenger journey of 240 miles, per ton mile, and per ton per journey of 240 miles, fell to the D.H. 18. These figures, it may be remembered, were respectively as follows :—&&., £7 4s- (on 75 per cent, load factor), 3s. yd., and £42 18s. These figures, it should be kept in mind, were not based upon theoretical estimates, but were the result of actual experience in running, the D.H. 18 type having been in use by the A.T. and T. for several months, when it gave extra- sketches are taken from the latest machine. Reference will be made later to points in which the new machine differs from the earlier ones. General Arrangement Briefly, the D.H. 18 is a vertical biplane, of the tractor type, with the passengers accommodated in an enclosed cabin approximately level with the wings, and the pilot seated well aft, about half-way between the nose and tail of the body. The engine is mounted in the nose, rather higher than is usual practice, giving a high centre of thrust, and, incidentally, ample ground clearance. As the accompanying Pictorial diagram of passenger accommodation, etc., in the D.H. 18. 203 C 2
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