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Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0857.PDF
©ECEMBER 29, 1921 THE DAYTON-WRIGHT "F.P.2" SURVEY SEAPLANE <ONB of the uses to which aircraft may be put with undoubted advantage is surveying, in which we include forest patrol, .aerial photography, mapping, etc. Where such work has to be effected in territories which are practically inaccessible •via terra firma, aircraft offer exceptional opportunities for successfully carrying out such undertakings. With a view ±0 producing an aeroplane suitable for working under such conditions—especially where there are no other landing facilities than rivers, lakes or sea—the Dayton-Wright Co. •of Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., sent one of their technical pilots to Canada, where such conditions as referred to above prevail, to study the requirements a machine would be called oipon to serve in carrying out aerial survey work. As a result of his investigations, they have just completed box-spars; the interplane struts are seamless steel tubes ofstreamline shape. The fuselage is built-up of four spruce longerons and severalveneer bulkheads, and is covered with a special three-ply. This consists of a core of Balsa wood, and black walnutfacings. The forward portion of the fuselage forms a totally- enclosed cabin for the pilot and crew, who are thus thoroughlyprotected against cold, wind and rain, whilst the noise of the engines is also deadened in the cabin. Seats are providedfor four persons, arranged in pairs, the front pair being made to swivel so as to face the rear when the machine is at reston the water, and a folding table may be placed between the four seats. Access to the cabin is from the float bymeans of a folding ladder and through a large door in the side The Dayton- Wright "F.P.2 " Forest Patrol and Survey Seaplane. The machine is shown as fitted with two (420 h.p.) Liberty engines with tractor screws. m m the " F.P.2 " seaplane, described and illustrated herewith.Four main factors were taken into consideration in designing this machine, viz. :—(1) As wide as possible a range of visionfor the occupants; (2) Comprehensive appointments and equipment for the crew ; (3) Provisions ensuring the safetyof the machine under almost any eventuality ; (4) The adap- tion of the machine to the special conditions under whichit would be called to operate. The " F.P.2 " is a twin-engined, fuselage biplane, fitted with-twin floats. Upper and lower planes are of equal span, and the outer panels, which are set at a dihedral angle of 2 degrees,are interchangeable—as is also the case with many of the Sittings. The wings are fabric covered and built upon of the fuselage ; folding doors ace also provided in the roofas emergency exits. Windows let in the sides and bottom of the fuselage affordexcellent vision sideways, forward and directly downward. The window beside the pilot may be folded out of the way toensure increased vision. The rear part of the fuselage affords a clear space of 15 ft. by 4 ft. by 4 ft. 6 ins., which may be usedfor stowing baggage, camp equipment;* provisions, etc. Folding bunks can also be fitted. For the power plant two 420 h.p. Liberty engines, drivingfour-bladed tractor screws, are mounted on the lower plane centre sections. Originally, two 210 h.p. Hall-Scott " L.6 "engines were fitted, driving pusher screws, but the former xx •&L The Dayton-Wright with two (210 h.p. F.P.2" Forest, Patrol and Survey Seaplane. On the left, as originally fittedHall-Scott engines, and pusher screws. On the right, an interior view of the cabin. 857
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