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Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0469.PDF
JULY 14, 1921 -this machine were designed by Mr. Holle, of the Commercial Aeroplane Wing Syndicate. Hitherto the wings of the •" Alula " type have been characterised by a very high L/D ratio at angles of high lift, rendering them suitable for fairly slow, highly loaded machines. We understand, however, that although the wing of the present monoplane resembles in general appearance the earlier " Alula " wings, it is quite different aerodynamically, having a high L/D at small angles and low lift. The earlier wings did not possess a particularly wide speed range, but in this respect the present wing is said to be more like the orthodox aeroplane wing. The construc- tion is most unusual, inasmuch as there are, we understand, no wing spars in the ordinary sense of the word, the wing being built more after the manner of a boat, with a wood skin over a light framework of ribs and stringers. Whether this form of construction will give sufficient rigidity yet (vst ever, that is a matter for Courtney and his shins to decidebetween them. One hopes that he will have no occasion to make an exit similar to that of last year. It is good to find in the entries list Major, now SquadronLeader, C. Draper, D.S.O-, who will fly a B.A.T. Bantam, 200 h.p. A.B.C. " Wasp " engine. The little Bantam,designed by Fritz Koolhoven, is an exceptionally fine little machine, and although its speed is not up to that of someof the more powerful machines entered, it should nevertheless put up a good performance. The remaining two machinesin the 300 to 400 class are British Nieuports, designed by Mr. Folland. One of these is a " Nieuhawk," similar to the" Nighthawk " but with smaller wings, and the " Goshawk " racer which James flew to Etampes last year. Both thesemachines have A.B.C. " Dragonfly " engines, and are known to have a very fine turn of speed. THE 'AERIAL DERBY AIR RACE ROUND LONDON (DOUBlf CIRCUIT -TOTAL DISTANCE 200 MILES) ORGANISED BY THE ROYAL AERO CLUB START HENDONl " /PASS OVER ON\ /; \ FIRST CIRCUIT/ . I j AND *'AFINISH H ERTFORD—Tularge white era•mng po nt it a•s in Hartham Meadow immediately north towr and we* adiojning the enclosed on the by »tre»m» ail way north, e of Hat >t the ton* .nd point is Eppini Church Tower in centre of Epping Vil- lage or the Wr.7 •id. of London Road. 200 rafdtaouth of Church ta a aolitary water tower 120 feet high (TH£ LONDON \AEffODPOM£ (ONE CIRCUIT - 100 MILES IIENDON-rke l.m.Ug ' ' line •• m front ol the 4r-TURNIN0 POINT FOR THE R0YAI, AERO CLUBTROPHY and cash prijes WEST THU&POCK DROOKLANDS "™^ Turning point it a large white croM in the centre ol the Aerodrome and Motor Racing track EPSOM 2™Tt;ltNINC POINT point is Coun Stand - the top Downa land the Race Grandhichi.at mak.ng spieuous I "HE illustrntions and dvsenptiona giver, at C6ch point axe the official turning marks ol the course The distance between each point is given between the arrows The totaJ distance of one circuit from the London *srodromr to the return thereto after rounding ihe nve official turning points is approximately (00 railer Qff/F/tT iruoto THE AERIAL DERBY, JULY 16 : The Course remains to be seen. That some such form of constructionwill come into use for cantilever wings is more than probable, but whether it is wise to incorporate it in a machine whichalready has an unusual wing shape is perhaps open to doubt. Personally we should have preferred to see the " Alula " wingconstructed on more orthodox lines, with a couple of substan- tial spars and, if necessary, one or two lift wires to stop anytendency there may be to twist. Incidentally it is of interest to note that the racer will be fitted with ailerons of the usualtype, in spite of the fact that the inventors of the wing have previously claimed that these were not effective on the" Alula." We do not quite see why they should not be so, and, at any rate, we feel considerably happier in the know-ledge that Mr. Courtney will have the usual lateral control. The fuselage of the monoplane is that of the old MartinsydeSemiquaver," cut down, we believe in depth somewhat, although where Courtney proposes to keep his legs one doesnot profess to know. There was not, apparently, any too much room for them in the original form (of the fuselage,not the legs), and with about 6 in. chopped off (again the ^l and not the legs) there will be less room still. How- Of machines with engines of medium power there are five.Two of these are S.E.5A'S, with 220 h.p. Wolseley Hispanoengines. They will be piloted by Flight-Lieut. W. H. Longton and F. J. Ortweiller, respectively. Mr. Ortweiller is alsocoach of the University crews. Captain H. S. Broad, of the Welsh Aviation Co., is flying a Sopwith Camel, 130 h.p.Clerget engine, and Mr. Tait-Cox, who is coming back into practical aviation for the occasion, is piloting one of theAvro biplanes, fitted with a Wolseley-Hispano engine of 180 h.p. This will not be quite so fast as some of the machineswhich Cox has piloted in his time, but he should have a chance in the handicap. A very sporting effort is the entryby Mr. A. S. Butler of his Bristol Tourer, 240 h.p. Siddeley- Puma engine, on which recently he flew to the Riviera andback. One is glad to see that this owner-pilot is willing to support the sporting side of aviation by entering and flyinghis own machine in the race. One wishes him the best of luck in the handicap. Of low-power machines, i.e., machines with engines ofunder 100 h.p., four are entered. Two of these are Avro Babies, similar to those which have done so well in previous 469 D 2
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