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Aviation History
1923
1923 - 0085.PDF
FEBRUARY 8, 1923 TEN YEARS' TESTING OF MODEL SEAPLANES MR. G. S. BAKER has had charge of the testing, in the Froude tank at the N.P.L., of scale models of seaplane floats and flying boat hulls ever since such tests commenced to be carried out in 1912. He has therefore had unique experience in this kind of work, and consequently the paper read by him, under above title, before the Royal Aeronautical Society on February 1 was of more than ordinary interest. It is, unfortunately, impossible for us to publish the paper in full, and those wishing to read the complete paper should obtain the forthcoming issue of the Journal of the JR.Ae.S., which will contain both the paper and the ensuing discussion. The first part of Mr. Baker's paper gave an account of the beginning of the tank tests in 1912, and outlined the operation of the 550 ft. by 30 ft. tank, built mainly from funds provided by Sir Alfred Yarrow so that research work on hydrodynamics, marine propulsion, and naval architecture could be carried out in this country. The tank was mainly intended for shipbuilding firms, and has been adapted for purposes of seaplane testing at relatively small expense. Incidentally it is pointed out that work for the mercantile marine has been carried out concurrently with that on seaplanes, with the consequence that progress has been somewhat slow. Mr. Baker expressed the hope that in the future it might be possible to build a really high-speed tank, in which case work could proceed continuously. The lecturer dealt at considerable length with the early experiments, and gave an account, illustrated by lantern slides, of the manner in which work in the tank is done. Briefly the arrangement is that a travelling carriage, which runs on rails on each side of the tank, carries the balances, indicating and recording instruments, and observers. The carriage is made to run along at some chosen speed, propelled by electric motors. As a result of the various tests, con- siderable progress has been made, and it is now possible to predict with reasonable accuracy the behaviour of any seaplane hull provided it does not depart too much from existing types. The use of two steps, and the reduction in, or in some cases limitation of, " porpoising," are to a very large extent the result of work in the tank, and although certain features cannot well be reproduced in the tank, there are few points upon which model tests and full-scale tests do not agree with reasonable accuracy. Future Tests The last part of Mr. Baker's very instructive paper contains several interesting statements on the subject of future tests, and we therefore reproduce it in full:— " In the lecture so far the author has tried to show how the experiments in the past have grown in purpose and usefulness, and slowly taken certain more or less standard shapes. It is to be assumed that in the future these methods will grow and change with the types of the machines, and one's endeavour in test work is to keep always a little ahead of such changes, so that the test data serve as a guide to the designer. We are beginning to regard data from two points of view, the small machine and the really big one, leaving intermediate ones for individual consideration. Ten years ago our first research paper dealt with the machines then in use of weight less than 1 ton. Our latest general research paper covered machines of the single-hull type weighing 50 tons: Our other work has dealt with machines mostly of 2 to 5 tons, occasionally of 15 tons, generally of amphibian character, and these for the most part indicate the drift of design. Qualities which are easily embodied in a small machine become more difficult of attainment in the large, and in some cases more essential. The bigger the machine the greater is the accuracy required in the design, and in such machines model tests of all features are imperative. In the small ones, small errors in design are easily eliminated often at less expense than is involved in making tank tests. But new types, especially of amphibian machines, should be tank tested. Special tests at high speeds are now made with these, for trimming when settling on the water, to determine the trimming effect of the wheels. " Whether the next developments will follow the two general lines of small amphibian and large flying boat cannot be said with any certainty. In the author's opinion the really large flying boat is coming. The direct trade routes from this country to Scandinavia, the ports of the Baltic Sea, Germany and to America, are almost entirely by water, and all our Colonies are separated from us by great oceans. To carry a large number of passengers large machines are required, and any machine not capable of settling on the water would hardly come up to accepted standards of safety on these routes. Research on such lines should not be deferred until the machines are here, but should be well in advance of the present requirements and should be unre- stricted in its general character." [The italics are ours. The opinions expressed by Mr. Baker tally so exactly with views expressed by us in FLIGHT that we wish to draw special attention to them.—ED] THE ROYAL , "--.•• London Gazette, January 30, 1923 General Duties BranchFlying Offr. C. H. Stilwell is granted permanent commn. in rank stated ; Aug. 31, 1922. Flying Ofir. G. "Martyn is granted permanent comma, inrank stated; Dec. 12, 1919 (since promoted). Gazette Dec. 12, 1919, appointing him to short service commn., is cancelled. Flight Lieut. A. J. G.Styran, M.C., A.F.C., is granted short service commn. in rank stated ; Jan. 18. C. H. Brill is granted short service commn. as Flying Offr., with effect from,and with seny. of, Jan. 17. Lieut. W. J. Eldridge, D.S.O., M.C., R.G.A., is granted temporary commn. as Flying Offr. on seconding for four years'duty with R.A.F. ; Jan. 12. The follg. Pilot Offrs. on probation are confirmed in rank :—W. A. C. A.Yearsley ; Jan. 4. R. G. Chapell; Jan. 14. The follg. are transferred to Reserve (Jan. 30) :— Class A.—Flying Offrs.—C. V. Frith. A. Knox, J. H. Vickers. Class B.—Observer Off.—W. B. Mortimore. Class C—Flying Offr.—V. Colbeck, M.B.E. AIK FORCE Flying Offr. A. G. Thackray to take rank and precedence as if his appoint- ment as Flying Ofir. bore date Oct. 1, 1919, immediately following Flying Offr. G. Wilson ; reduction to take effect from Nov. 2, 1922. Flight Lieut. A. W. C. V. Parr is placed on half-pay, Scale B ; Jan. 15. Wing Comdr. (actg. Group Capt.) R. D. S. Stoney, C.B.E. (Lt.-Col. and Staff Paymr., R.A.P.C.), relinquishes his temp, commn. on retirement from the Army ; Jan. 3 (substituted for Gazette Jan. 2). Medical Branch W. B. Stott is granted a short service commn. as Flying Offr., with effect from, and with seny. of, Jan. 15. . Memoranda P. F. Parton is granted an hon. commu. as Sec. Lieut. : Aug. 14, 1918, Capt. H. D. Briggs, C.M.G., is granted hon. rank of Brig.-Gen., R.A.F., on retirement from Royal Navy. ROYAL AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE Appointments.—The following appointments in the Royal Air Forceare notified:— Wing Commanders: W. L. Welsh, D.S.C., A.F.C., from No. 1 GroupHeadquarters (Inland Area) to Headquarters, Coastal Area (Supernumerary) ; 15.1.23. A. L. Godman, C.M.G., D.S.O., from Headquarters. R.A.F.,Cranwell to Headquarters, R.A.F., India. 19.1.23. E. R. C. Nanson. D.S.C., A.F.C., from No. 4 Flying Training School (Middle East) to R.A.F. Depot(Inland Area) (Supernumerary). 8.1.23. T. O. Hubbard, M.C., A.F.C., from R.A.F. Trans-Jordariia Headquarters (Palestine Command) to commandPalestine Wing Headquarters (Palestine Command). 22.11.22. J. Mclntyre, M.C., M.B., M.A., from Headquarters, No. 1 School of Technical Training(Boys) (Halton) to Headquarters, R.A.F., India. 19.1.23. J. R. W. Smytb- Pigott, D.S.O., from Aeronautical Committee of Guarantee (British Section),Germany, to R.A.F. Depot (Inland Area) (Supernumerary). 23.1.23. Squadron Leaders : L. T. N. Gould, M.C., from Headquirters, Iraq Corn-command, to Headquarters, R.A.F., India. 7.12.22. J. Kemper, M.B.E., from No. 4 Flying Training School (Middle East) to Headquarters, IraqCommand. 5.1.23. J. Sowrev. A.F.C., from R.A.F. Cadet College (Ground Wing) (Cranwell) to Central Flying School (Inland Area). 29.1.23. H. G.Smart, O.B.E., D.F.C., from R.A.F. Depot (Inland Area) to Central Flying School (Inland Area). 4.2.23. A. J. Capel, from Headquarters, R.A.F.,Cranwell, to R.A.F. Cadet College (Ground Wing) (Cranwell). 29.1.23. Flight Lieutenants: R. Halley, D.F.C., from Half-pay List to R.A.F.Depot (Inland Area) (Supernumerary). 15.1.23. G. C. Anne, O.B.E., from Inland Area Aircraft Depot (Inland Area) to Air Ministry (Dept. ofA.M.P.) (D.D.P.). 2.1.23. D. G. Boddie, M.B., from R.A.F. Trans-Jordania Headquarters (Palestine Command) to Headquarters, Iraq Command (Super-numerary). 26.12.22. T. J. Thomas, M.B., from Engine Repair Depot (Middle East) to Headquartero, Iraq Command (Supernumerary). 26.12.22.J. R. Crolius, M.B., from Headquarters, R.A.F., Middle East, to R.A.F. Trans-Jordania Headquarters (Palestine Command). 3.1.23. A. W. C. V.Parr, from Central Flying School (Inland Area) to Half-pay List. 15.1.23. A. W. Cuddon-Davis, from No. 25 Squadron (Constantinople Wing) to R.A.F.Depot (Inland Area) (Supernumerary). 29.1.23. M. Moore, from Head- quarters, R.A.F., Middle East, to command Aden Flight (Middle East).10.1.23. W. E. Hodgins, M.B., from Headquarters, R.A.F.. India, to No. 5 Squadron (India). 23.12.22. J. C. Slessor, M.C., from R.A.F. Depot (InlandArea) to Air Ministry (Dept. or C.A.S.) (D.T. and S.D.). 1.2.23. R. H. Hanmer, M.C., from R.A.F. Cadet College (Flying Wing) (Cranwell) to Head-quarters, R.A.F., Cranwell. For duty as Adjutant. 29.1.23. 85
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