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Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0742.PDF
NOVEMBER IO, 1921 .- THE GALLAUDET MULTIPLE DRIVE SOME particulars of a high-powered, multiple-engined drive that has just been constructed and tested by the Gallaudet Aircraft Corp. of East Greenwich, R.I., are given in Aviation (U.S.A.). It is intended, apparently, for the G.B. (Giant Boat) seaplane now being built at the U.S. Naval Aircraft Factory at Philadelphia. The Gallaudet multiple drive enables a single propeller to be driven by means of a clutch and gear arrangement simultaneously or "separately by three engines. The power unit built for the G.B. seaplane consists of three 400 h.p. Liberty engines, and the propeller, an 18 ft. thxee-blader, is geared to turn at 800 r.p.m. The G.B. seaplane being fitted with three of these units, or nine Liberty engines, will thus have a total horse-power of 3,600. Its designed maximum speed is 110 m.p.h., and enough fuel is to be carried for a flight of 3,000 miles at cruising speed. The approximate dimensions of the machine are: Span, 150 ft. ; overall length, 90 ft. ; maximum height, 48 ft. The boat will be 67 ft. in length and 18 ft. in beam, and will be divided into eight water-tight compartments. The framework of the wings will be of steel, while the interplane struts will be of aluminium alloy. With the Gallaudet multiple drive it is intended to fly the G.B. seaplane on six of the engines (2,400 h.p.), keeping one engine in each power unit always in reserve. The importance of this development is as great from the military as from the commercial viewpoint, for it will tend to do away with forced landings due to engine failure, while on the other hand it will make possible a more efficient utilisation of the power plant. To appreciate this it is sufficient to visualise the head resistance and structural weight of three Liberty engines mounted in separate wing nacelles as against the Gallaudet multiple drive, which unites the three engines in a single streamlined nacelle, and which weighs less than 5 lbs. per h.p., including the propeller. " The effort of aeronautical engineers," said Mr. Gallaudet, " has been to decrease the cost of operation and increase the speed and maximum range of the aeroplane. Single or isolated engines, attached direct to the propeller, have long been recognised as unsatisfactory in operation and almost impossible to repair during flight. The idea of enclosing three engines in one nacelle has worked out to our complete satisfaction. The gearing down of the speed, and the holding of one engine always in reserve, removes the last obstacle to practical transportation by air over great distances. A 100 ft. all-metal monoplane, with such a power nacelle, we guarantee can make 150 m.p.h. for 20 hours, with twelve passengers aboard. Economy of operation is such that the trans-Atlantic flight or California-Hawaii flight can be made for $600 to $700 per passenger. The grouping of engines into power units, and the giving to the pilot or machanic complete control over his engines for adjustment or repair, means that there is practically no limit to the size of the aeroplane of the near future." In trans-continental flights, divisions will be established, such as are now found on rail- roads. At each division of 300 or 400 miles aeroplanes will be enabled to change their entire power plant and proceed without transferring the cargo." The Gallaudet workshops, at East Greenwich, are apparently very busy just now, for in addition to the three power units referred to above, and the conversion of some D.H. 4's, work on several interesting machines is in hand. Metal con- struction is exclusively employed—wood being used only in the case of the D.H. 4's and for engine bearers. One of the new machines is an all-metal monoplane day bomber, with a span of approximately 76 ft., designed for the 16-cylindered U.S.A. engine. Another all-metal machine is the P.W. 4single-seater persuit biplane—a "hush-hush^' machine, embodying several novel features. Designs for-a second andlarger all-metal monoplane have been accepted by the U.S. Army, while several other competitive designs, prepared byEdson Gallaudet, have been purchased by the U.S. Govern- ment. They are also building some M.K. 4 single pontoon Navy messengers, designed by James V. Martin—an early Hendonian Two views of the Gallaudet Multiple Drive, whichconsists of three 400 h.p. Liberty engines. In the lower view it is seen on the 25-ft. testing stand. Its operationwith one, two and three engines was successfully demonstrated. —for the U.S. Navy. This is a very small single-seater,fitted with a Lawrence 3-cj'Iindered air-cooled radial engine, and the first machine has been completed and accepted bythe Navy. HONOURS Order of the British Empire The King has also given orders for the following appoint-ments to the Order of the British Empire, in recognition of distinguished services in Mesopotamia :— O.B.E. Military Division).—Sqdn.-Ldr. C. W. Nutting, D.S.C., R.A.F. : Sqdn.-Ldr. V. O. Rees, R.A.F. M.B.E. Military Division) .—Pilot Offr. C. W. Booth,R.A.F. : Flying Offr. R. C. Jenkins, M.C., R.A.F. : Flying Offr. A. E. Lindon, R.A.F. An Aeroplane next time—perhaps AT Abd l NOTICES TO AIRMEN Aerodromes for Civil Use : Amendments NOTICE to Airmen No. 81 (Consolidated List of Aero- dromes) of October 1, 1921, is amended as follows :—List C : Licensed Civil Aerodromes.—The following should be added :—• Alderley Edge, S.S.W. of Chorley Hall ; Carmarthen, Pont- . garreg, Johnstown ; Chesterfield, Caushouse Farm, Ashgate ; Haverfordwest Old Racecourse. The following should be deleted :—Bridlington ; Llanwrtyd Wells, adjoining Aber Nant Hotel; Sandown, Isle of Wight. (No. 96 of 1921.) ._.....+*•_ ,.. .. .r. '......- to cover its running and maintenance expenses for severamonths In presenting the car bhlf f th subscribers Aberdeen, last month, Dr. Deane, Bishop of that months. I on behalf of the subscribers, city and Orkney was, in order that he might keep in touch regret was expressed that they were unable to give the with remote parts of his diocese presented bv the laitv with *r?«..,.«.-«„^ u;nu^» «« nM.nninnn „„ —u J— t—:i:^—*« K4«. tficit*- a motor-car and frilUngs, and the wherewithal in " bawbees " g p y g Reverend Bishop an aeroplane as well to facilitate his visit; to the Orkneys and Shetlands. 743
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