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Aviation History
1922
1922 - 0683.PDF
NOVEMBER 23, 1922 A REALLY LIGHT LOW-POWERED ENGINE AT LAST? The German Statax Three-Cylinder Rotary IF the claims advanced for it can be substantiated, it would appear that the " Statax " three-cylinder rotary two-stroke engine, which has just been produced in Germany, provides a power plant with which very light aeroplanes, such as the recently constructed gliders, should be able to fly quite creditably. The engine in question, which has been designed and built by Herr F. J. M. Hansen, is stated to weigh but 8 kg. (17-6 lbs.) complete with airscrew, while the power is claimed to be 7-5 h.p. This figure does not refer to a short burst at full throttle, but is the power which the engine is guaranteed to develop for long periods. The accompanying photograph gives an idea of the general arrangement of the engine. The chief feature is that there is no crank-case, in the ordinary sense of the word, but merely a cylindrical induction chamber to which the cylinders are bolted, with their closed ends turned inwards. The outer ends of the cylinders are open, and the pistons have- of course, their skirt pointing outwards. It is claimed that the extremely light weight is a result of so designing the engine that all the most highly stressed members work in tension. While this is so to a certain extent, it is somewhat difficult to see how sufficient weight could be saved to give the low figure stated. From the very brief particulars available (from Flugsport of November 15, 1922), it is not quite clear how the force of the explosions and centrifugal force is transmitted from the flat steel straps to the connecting rods or their equivalent. It would appear that, instead of connecting rods, the skirt of the pistons is extended outwards, the two extensions carrying lugs for the steel straps coming out from the boss which represents the crank-pin. These steel straps are, it will be seen, bent over the lugs and then twisted so as to be brought edge-on to the air as the engine is turning. There are no valves, induction and exhaust ports of usual type, closed and opened by the pistons, being used instead. The combustion chamber is, of course, at the inner end of the cylinders, and the mixture is transferred to the combustion chamber through bent induction pipes. Centrifugal force is relied upon to get the charge from the induction chamber out to the cylinders. The latter are of steel, machined from forgings, and are provided with fins of the usual type. The pistons are made of aluminium alloy, as is also the crank-case, or, more correctly speaking, the induction chamber, which, owing to the tie-rods by which the cylinders are held down, does not have any great centrifugal force to resist. Also, instead of the explosion pressure being added to that of centrifugal force on the cylinders, as it does in ordinary rotaries, it acts in opposition to centrifugal force. It is, of course, through such details that it has been possible to get the weight down. The propeller blades, of which there are three, are bolted to the induction chamber in the spaces between the cylinders. It would, for this reason, appear to be impossible to cowl-in the engine, and as the combustion chambers are near the foot of the cylinders, probably this portion will require ample cooling, so that a cowl could not be used in any case. H H Members of the New Parliament. MANY candidates who have been elected to the new Parliament are, or have been, interested or closely associated with aviation—amongst these we notice, and welcome back to his seat, Sir William Joynson-Hicks; also Lieut.-Col. J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon, Admiral M. F. Sueter, and Maj.-Gen. Sir F. Sykes. Possibly a good omen for the future of air matters is the fact that Sir Samuel Hoare, Minister for Air, was the first Minister returned, whilst Sir J. L. Baird, who was a member of the Air Board for the Royal Air Force, appro priately as an air supporter, represents " Ayr " in the House, and it may be noted for this same constituency the Labour candidate, who was defeated, was named Airlie. Many other supporters and well-wishers of aviation are welcome members, including : Capt. W. Brass, a distinguished R.A.F. officer; Comdr. Burney of Imperial Airship fame; Capt. Wedgwood Benn; Rt. Hon. Lord Hugh Cecil (R.F.C. I9I5); Capt A. G. Reid, R.A.F., D.F.C.; Capt. D Shipwright (R.F.C. 1916); Sir John Simon (R.F.C. 1915-16); Ma]. G. C. Tryon (Under Secretary for Air, 191°). etc. Air Mail to Holland : Reduced Fees THE Postmaster-General announces letters and parcels for conveyance by now reduced. The charge for letters is 2d. per oz The engine would, it might be imagined, be somewhat " dirty," as there does not appear to be any way of collecting the oil flung out. The magneto fitted is a Bosch of the smallest type, and the plugs are Bosch-Gnome-Lilliput. The magneto is mounted on the back of the engine, as is also the oil pump. The engine is started by injecting a few drops of petrol through the exhaust ports, when, on swinging the propeller, the engine usually starts after about one-half turn. Owing to the centrifugal induction system it has been found that the engine will not function with any regularity at speeds spp ' .Jfimma^^KtFaeaA ^f^T^*«^ 1 . '.-.••.••••. ..•;•.••. • - • .• • BE • * *** * *c f %^ : 1 'J 1 P^B^^"^w:>:' *^51 ! that the fees air to Holland on are instead Front view of the German Statax engine. below 500 r.p.m. The maximum revs, (for long periods) is 1,600 r.p.m. At that speed it may be assumed that the propeller efficiency will not be very good in a slow machine. Following are the main dimensions, etc., of the Statax : Bore 60 mm. (2 ins.) ; stroke, 70 mm. (2J ins.) ; speed, 1,600 r.p.m. ; petrol consumption, 320 grammes per h.p./hour (0-705 lb. /h.p. /hour) ; oil consumption, 30 grammes/h.p./ hour (0-07 lb. /h.p./hour) ; total weight, including a propeller of 4 ft. n in. diameter, 8 kg. (17-6 lbs.). These figures, it is stated, are guaranteed. All enquiries should be addressed to Herr F. J. M. Hansen, 2, Neue Mastrichterstrasse, Cologne. m H of 3d., in addition to ordinary foreign postage. The rates for parcels are as follow :—Up to 3 lbs., 3s. 6d. (instead of 4s.) ; from 3-7 lbs., 6s. 6d. (instead of 7s. 6d.); from 7-11 lbs., QS. (instead of 105. 6d.). The new scale of parcel fees, like the old, is inclusive of express delivery at the place of destination. On parcels addressed " Poste Restante," the fees will be 6d. less. India's Air Command As the result of Air Vice-Marshal Salmond's visit to India, the air command in India has been raised to the digni ty of an Air Vice-Marshal's command. Air Vice-Marshal P. W. Game has been appointed to the post in the place of the p resent commander, Air-Commodore Tom I. Webb-Bowen, air o fficer commanding R.A.F. in India. The headquarters of the Indian Air establishment will be transferred from Umballa to Delhi. Seaplane Squadron No. 8, R.N.A.S. Annual. SEAPLANE SQUADRON No. 8, R.N.A.S., German East Africa, 1916-18, third annual dinner will be held at Gatti's, Strand, on Friday, December 1. Group Capt. F. W. Bowhill, C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A.F., in the chair. All officers and men of R.N.A.S. in East Africa cordially invited. Mufti. Write immediately to C. R. Lucate, 17, Garden Avenue, Mitcham, or C. S. Thompson, 25, Wharncliffe Gardens, N.W. 8. C 2 683
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