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Aviation History
1923
1923 - 0034.PDF
JANUARY 18, 1923 GLIDING, SOARING AND AIR-SAILING A SMALL low-power engine, suitable for gliders, is now being produced in France, in addition to the A.B.C. le Rhone, illustrated last week. This engine has been designed by M. Violet, and is to be known as the " Violet-Sicam." Fundamentally the engine is an air-cooled two-stroke two- cylinder opposed of 6-7 h.p. The normal power is repre- sented by the lower figure, and an extra h.p. can be developed during taking-off or in an emergency. It is intended, we understand, to make the new engine in two standard models, one of which will have cast-iron cylinders and the other aluminium alloy cylinders. The former is stated to weigh 9-4 kgs. (21 lbs.), and the latter 7-8 kgs. (17-2 lbs.). These figures include carburettor and magneto, but not propeller. * • * THE bore and stroke of the engines will be 56 mm. by 50 mm. respectively, giving a total cubic capacity of 250 cu. cm. At the moment, no figures are available relating to the speed at which the engine will normally run, so that it is not possible to express any opinion regarding probable propeller efficiency. The crankshaft is to be made of chrome-nickel steel, and will run on ball bearings. The pistons will be of aluminium alloy, and it is estimated that the average fuel (petrol and oil mixed) consumption will be 3 litres (-66 gal.) per hour. - • . . • IN connection with this engine, it may be of interest to quote a few figures from some estimates which M. Louis Clement has got out relating to very low power machines. To begin with, M. Clement states, the experiments with gliding have shown that what we must aim at is so to reduce the weight of the machine itself that the weight of the pilot becomes the main factor in the total loaded weight of the machine. If an engine is fitted, its weight and fuel consumption become also of great importance, hence the need for a low-power light engine. ... . . ... - ' ;••" -~ '•.-•;; . * ' "• • -- •• • - -_ - •..••• As an estimate of the manner in which the item weights of a light machine or glider fitted with a small engine might fall, M. Clement makes the following suggestion : Machine 70 kgs. (154 lbs.) ; pilot, 70 kgs. (154 lbs.) ; 10 h.p. motor, 16 kgs. (35-2 lbs.) ; fuel for 3 hrs., 14 kgs. (30-8 lbs.) ; total loaded weight, 170 kgs. (374 lbs.). This very light weight is, M. Clement says, one to which we have not yet become accustomed, and it leads to some rather extraordinary per- formances. M. Clement then gives some estimates which, although purely theoretical, he does not think will be greatly different from actual facts. He has made the estimates for machines fitted with engines of 6 h.p. and 10 h.p. respectively, and for machines of 12, 15 and 24 sq. m. area (129 sq. ft., 161-5 sq. ft. and 258 sq. ft. respectively). , - * * * FOLLOWING are the results at which M. Clement arrives :— (a) 6 h.p. engine ; total weight, 330 lbs. ; wing area 258 sq. ft. ; span, 36 ft. 1 in. ; wing loading, 1-28 lbs./sq. ft. power loading, 55 lbs./h.p. ; maximum speed, 39 m.p.h. landing speed, 21 m.p.h. ; ceiling, 13,100ft. ; minimum power required at ground level, 2 • 86 h.p. • • * .',...•..-.'.-"• (b) Engine, 6 h.p. ; weight, 330 lbs. ; area, 129 sq. ft. ; span, 21 ft. 4 ins. ; wing loading, 2-56 lbs./sq. ft. ; power loading, 55 lbs./h.p. ; maximum speed, 45 m.p.h. ; landing speed, 27 m.p.h.; ceiling, 8,800 ft. ; minimum power required near ground, 3-69 h.p. .•% - •-•- * • • (c) Engine, 10 h.p. ; weight, 363 lbs. ; area, 129 sq. ft. ; span, 28 ft. ; wing loading, 2-82 lbs./sq. ft. ; power loading, 36-3 lbs./h.p. ; maximum speed, 56-5 m.p.h. ; landing speed, 28-4 m.p.h. ; ceiling, 17,400 ft. ; minimum power required near ground, 3-97 h.p. * * * (d) Engine, 10 h.p. ; weight, 374 lbs. ; area, 161 -5 sq. ft. ;span, 31 ft. 2 ins. ; wing loading, 2-32 lbs./sq. ft. ; power loading, 37-4 lbs./h.p. ; maximum speed, 54 m.p.h. ; landingspeed, 25-7 m.p.h.; ceiling, 17,400 ft.; minimum power required near ground, 3-7 h.p. * » * M. Louis CLEMENT then assumes a mean speed of 75 kms.(46-5 miles) per hour, and a mean fuel consumption of 5 litres (about 1J gals.) per hour, which gives close on41 m.p.g. This, at a speed of 46 m.p.h., should be sufficiently economical to ensure the popularity of the low-power machineif other features, such as low first cost and maintenance of engine and machine can be attained. The fuel cost aloneworks out at approximately Id. per mile or slightly less This certainly looks promising for the " motor-cycle of theair." * * * LIEUT. THOKET, who recently remained aloft for 7 hrs. 3 mins. on a Hanriot school machine with engine stopped, has now set up a new world's record for gliding with a passenger. On January 9, he succeeded in remaining aloft for 1 hr. 9 mins. accompanied by his mechanic. He could, it is stated, have stayed up longer, only he discovered that the official observers were leaving. .. -- -* • ,-*v ••-.:#- •-•.•-••- \-;•--••--.•-r.-~- ••" THE first glider school to be established in France is now in course of formation. It will be situated on the slopes of Menez-Hom, near Brest, and the directors will be MM. Bayard de Meadoca and Lestrade. Some time ago, we announced the intention of Capt. Merriam to establish a gliding school in the Isle of Wight. » * * MANEYROL, winner of the Daily Mail gliding competition at Itford, is at present at Vauville near Cherbourg in order to study the suitability of the district. If his report is favourable the site will be definitely chosen for the competition this year. It is understood that Maneyrol has with him the Peyret glider on which he remained aloft for 3 hrs 21 mins. 7 sees, at Itford. No doubt, he is anxious to beat Thoret's duration record. _ •--::; • • .— •:.—-;•••_•• WITH reference to a report published in one of the evening papers last week, to the effect that the Air Ministry had received from the Treasury a grant for £1,000 for the establish- ment of a permanent gliding station at Itford, we are officially informed that no such Treasury sanction has been given We only wish the rumour had been true, as the establishment of such a station would have done a great deal towards furthering the progress and science of gliding. * • • .. •? "•: - ...-' .•'••- •-•.. IN order to encourage gliding and sailplaning in America, the National Aeronautic Association of U.S.A. have appointed a sub-committee to deal with this form of flying. The chairman of this committee is Orville Wright, who will be assisted by the following members of the committee :—-Dr. George Lewis, Executive Secretary of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics ; Professor E. P. Warner of the Aeronautical Department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; E. T. Allen, also of the M.I.T., who took a glider to the French competition at Clermont Ferrand and to Rhon, and B. Russel Shaw, Vice-Chairman of the Contest Commitee of the National Aeronautic Association. International Air Congress FURTHER particulars are to hand in connection with the International Air Congress, which is taking place in London on the invitation of the British Government, from Monday, June 25, to Saturday, June 23, inclusive. The principal object of the Congress is to give an opportunity for international discussion of the various problems in connection with aircraft design, construction and operation. The papers to be read will be divided into four groups : (a) Aerodynamics, Aeroplane Construction, Research Methods, etc. ; (b) Power Plants, Fuels, Lubrication, Airscrews, etc. ; (e) Air Transport and Navigation ; (d) Personnel, Air Tactics and Strategy (as affecting Commercial design), Airship Design and Construc- tion, etc. These groups will bold Sessions simultaneously. The official languages of the Congress will be French and English. An opportunity will also be afforded of visiting various British aircraft establishments and factories. An Official Report of the Congress will be published, which may be subscribed to for £\ additional to Membership Subscription (Member, £\ ; Associate Member, \Qs.). Mr. J.D. North ill MR. J. D. NORTH, Chief Engineer and Designer of Boultonand Paul Aviation Department, craves the indulgence of people who have not had replies to their correspondence.Mr. North is, at present, in a nursing home, and will not be able to attend to business for several we'eks. We are sureall his many friends will join us in wishing him a speedy recovery. 34
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