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Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0739.PDF
NOVEMBER IO, 1921 The Vickers " Vimy " transport 'two Napier " Lions "). Ministry for the purpose, we believe, of troop transport. These machines are very roomy, and with the higher engine power have an even better performance than that of the older type. The commercial load is over 3,000 lbs., which may be utilised either for passengers or cargo according to requirements. The performance of the Napier-engined machine is as follows, with full commercial load : Full speed near the ground, 115 m.p.h. ; full speed at 6,000 ft.,110 m.p.h. ; climb to 6,000 ft. in 9 mins. ; range at 6,000 ft., and at a cruising speed of 90 m.p.h., 4! hrs., or about 400 miles ; landing speed, 50 m.p.h. For the Air Ministry Competition of 1920, Mr. Pierson designed an amphibian flying-boat known as the " Viking III." with Napier " Lion " engine. Machines of this type had already been tested by Vickers, the earlier types (I and II) having Rolls-Royce engines. The experiments with the Viking III indicated that for several reasons it would be desirable to increase the beam of the hull. This has consequently been done in the latest type, the " Viking IV," which was fully described in FLIGHT of October 6, 1921. This machine has a Napier " Lion engine, and seating accommodation for five, including the pilot. Machines of this type have been sold to, in addition to the Air Ministry, France, Holland, United States and Japan. They are manufactured for three distinct purposes : (a) Commercial, (b) fleet spotting reconnaissance, and (c) deck- landing. One of the machines sold to France has a coupe cabin, which can be readily detached if it is desired to use the machine as an ordinary open cockpit type. The whole of the coupe top can be opened during flight if desired. The hull of the Viking is made of " Consuta " plywood, which is strengthened by a stitching of cord in addition to the usual glueing. The two layers of the wood run at right angles to one another, and form an angle of approximately 45° with the line of flight. The land gear consists of two large diameter wheels so mounted that they can be swung forward and upward until clear of the water. In this position they have been found, owing to their position close to the sides of the body, to add but little to the resistance when the machine is flying. The performance of the various types varies slightly. The following figures relate to a commercial type with accommodation for six passengers in addition to the pilot:—Speed near sea level 105 m.p.h. ; speed at 6,500 ft. 103 m.p.h. Climb to 6,500 ft., iof minutes. Range at 6,500 ft. at full speed, 310 miles. Range at 6,500 ft. at a cruising speed of 90 m.p.h., 340 miles. Service ceiling 15,000 ft. Landing speed 48 m.p.h. Further improvements in the Viking " family " are con- templated, and we hope to see, before long, the establishment of a regular service between London and Paris direct. Capt. P. D. Acland, manager of the aviation department of Vickers, is a man of long vision and great imagination, and, backed by the technical skill of Mr. Pierson and an experienced staff, should achieve still greater success. WESTLAND AIRCRAFT WORKS (BRANCH OF PETTERS, LTD.) YEOVIL, SOMERSET. THE aviation branch of the famous firm of Petters, Ltd., of being during the War, but as distinct from so many of the Yeovil, known as the Westland Aircraft Works, came into new-comers, it has remained after the cessation of hostilities, The Westland six-seater limousine (Napier " Lion]"!. 739
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