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Aviation History
1923
1923 - 0387.PDF
JULY 12, 1923 "FLIGHT" GLIDER DESIGNING COMPETITION Monoplane Glider " Norbet (Continued from page 332) ON June 21 the general arrangement drawings of the monoplane glider " Norbet " were published, as well as construction drawings of the fuselage. This week the description is con- tinued with details of the wing construction. Wing ConstructionIn the comments by one of the Judges, previously quoted, reference was made to the spar construction of " Norbet," itbeing pointed out that the deep and thin three-ply webs may have severe loads thrown upon them. Nevertheless, thistype of spar is fairly extensively employed, and is reasonably cheap to build. The dimensions of the main spars are in-dicated in one of the set of drawings. The spruce flanges are 1 in. deep by | in. wide, with the top flanges bevelled toconform to the rib curves. The same sheet of drawings also shows the Duralumin fittings used for securing the spars to thetop longerons of the fuselage. While we have no personal objection to the use of Duralumin, it should be pointed outthat the Air Ministry does not allow this material to be used for any part which has to withstand any heavy stress. Also for amateur construction it would be somewhat expensive to make the fittings shown. The wing ribs are shown in considerable detail in the second set of drawings. The construction is simple, but the design is fundamentally wrong in that there are no diagonal members between upper and lower flanges in the bays between the . spars. This defect in design was pointed out in the Judge's criticism, and we call attention to it again. Especially in a cantilever monoplane, where torsional stresses are the most difficult to take care of, it is of the utmost importance that the ribs should be capable of transmitting loads from one spar to the other. This the type of rib designed by Mr. Smith would not do, and the rectangular rib bays between the spars would have to be triangulated before the wing could be considered safe. To do so would, however, be a relatively simple matter. The designer does not show the form of internal drag bracing which he intends to use, but either box ribs and wire bracing or tubular compression struts and wire bracing could be used. (To be continued.) INDEPENDENT FORCE REUNION FOR the fifth Annual Reunion Dinner of the IndependentForce, Royal Air Force, Air Chief-Marshal Sir H. M. Trenchard again occupied the chair at the Hotel Cecil on June 26. Over50 members were able to be present, and again this annual event emphasised the great wisdom of bringing togetherthose who, in the most anxious and vital period of the War, were concerned together in their highly specialised art inhelping so materially to bring about the final collapse of the enemy. There was a more subdued and expectant spiritover the meeting ; possibly from the fact that such gratifying progress was being made in bringing aviation into its own atlong last. Even the Chief appeared to be affected by its great influence, and, naturally, with so sympathetic a headas " Boom " it was impossible for those who so lovingly surrounded him to be untouched. Following the pre-dinner gathering and a very excellentbanquet, Sir Hugh Trenchard said that he wished to thank very cordially "Toe" Smith and Sq.-Ldr. Cleverly for theirefforts in keeping the numbers up for the reunion. But he wished to see a much greater assembly as each year cameround. He hoped each one present that evening would increase next year's number by one, and he would undertaketo add ten as his own quota. Upon this occasion, he would say nothing respecting immediate developments, havingregard to the position at the moment of aviation matters, and therefore his customary speech would have to be excused. Col. Sir Walter Lawrence, in proposing the health of theChairman, was even more brief. He recalled his statement last year that so long as there was a Trenchard with them,there would always be a " Boom " in the Air Service. It was significant that the momentous announcements in Parliament were being made at the time they were meeting there, and h©therefore with great pleasure gave them the toast of Sir Hugh. Sir Hugh Trenchard was content to acknowledge the greatround of applause, followed by musical honours, with the one expressive word : " Thanks." After which the company adjourned for reminiscences,regretting that it had been necessary for H.R.H. the Duke of York, owing to the pressure of engagements, to send thefollowing message : "I am sorry that I cannot be with you, and I wish you all a very happy evening." Those present were :—Major-Gen. J. E. Dickie, Col. SirWalter Lawrence, Group Capt. C. L. N. Newall, Wing-Cdr. A. V. Bettington, Wing-Cdr. M. G, Christie (U.S. Attach6at Washington), Wing-Cdr. W. D. Beatty, Wing-Cdr. H. R. Nicholl, Wing-Cdr. L. A. Pattinson, Wing-Cdr. J. H. A,Landon, Wing-Cdr. C. E. H. Rathborne, Lieut.-Col. R. H. Collier, Lieut.-Col. R. C. Donaldson-Hudson, Lieut.-Col.F. H. Errington, Lieut.-Col. the Hon. V. Russell, Lieut.-Col. J. Waley-Cohen, Sq.-Ldr. S. M. Cleverly, Sq.-Ldr. A. Gray,Sq.-Ldr. J. C. Quinnell,- Sq.-Ldr. W. R. Read, Sq.-Ldr. W. J. Ryan, Sq.-Ldr. W. G. P. Young, Major E. K. Brown, MajorS. A. Chambers, Major F. M. Iredale, Major L. G. S. Reynolds. Major T. V. Smith, Flt.-Lieut. J. H. Dale, Flt.-Lieut. R,Halley, Flt.-Lieut. E. J. McLoughlin, Flt.-Lieut. W. E, Reason, Flt.-Lieut. C. A. Stevens, Flt.-Lieut. R. S. Topham.Flt.-Lieut. Stammers, Capt. L. C. Bygrave, Capt. E. D. Harding, Capt. T. B. Marson, Capt. A. G. Trussell, F.O. W. W.Bradford, F.O. M. Burbidge, F.O. J. W. Jean, F.O. C. G. Jenyns, F.O. R. S. Martin, O.O. J. Mitchell, Lieut. J. H.Dewhirst, Lieut. R. A. Martin, Lieut. L. C. Pitts, 2nd Lieut, W. L. Beck, Mr. C. G. Grey, Mr. Stanley Spooner. LONDON TERMINAL AERODROME Monday evening, July 9, 1923 THE outstanding feature of the past week on the continentalairwaj'S has been the rise in popularity of the London- Amsterdam-Berlin route operated by the Daimler Airway andthe K.L.M. Passengers on this route are now so numerous that it is almost a daily occurrence for more seats to be enquiredfor than are available, and the through machines to and from Berlin are always full to capacity. This state of affairs has,of course, been in evidence for some time on the London- Paris route, but it is extremely gratifying to all concernedthat London-Amsterdam-Berlin route, which was at one time looked upon as being a purely goods' service, shouldimprove to its present state. Incidentally, the most gratifying point of this improvement is that the majority, in fact,practically all, the air travellers are business men, whereas the popularity of the Paris line depends to a large extent onpleasure-seekers. Capt. W. R. Hinchcliffe, who was chief pilot for theDaimler Airway since its inception, has now joined the Instone Air Line as pilot and will in future fly regularly for them. The Heat-Wave and the AirwaysThe intense heat of the past few days has had its effect in increasing to some extent the traffic on the airways, and, infact, there is little doubt but that air travel is the coolest—and only enjoyable—method of transport during spells of heat like that of the last few days. Pilots have had to dispense with their flying-kit, and were even then, at times, oppres- sively warm when flying some thousands of- feet up. King's Cup Competitors Preparations for the King's Cup Race round Britain are, as far as the aerodrome is concerned, being pushed rapidly forward, and during the week-end the two competitors from the 'drome have been making several trial flights. Mr. F. L. Barnard, last year's winner, has been testing the Instone D.H.4A, which has a specially-tuned Rolls-Royce engine fitted, and he is hopeful of again pulling off the race. The D.H.34, which Mr. Theodore Instone had entered, was scratched on Saturday owing, it is said, to the demands oa the regular service. Mr. Powell is extremely disappointed at this, as with Mr. R. M. Dixon, as his navigator, and Messrs. W. Clark, C. Davis and H. Hall, as crew—to attend to the machine at the various halts during the flight—he was very hopeful of being well-placed at the finish. During the week a basket of Dutch cherries arrived by a Daimler " air express " from Amsterdam, consigned-to the Queen of Holland in the Lake District. These were im- mediately despatched from Euston by passenger train, and arrived in the Lake District the morning after they had beeif gathered in Holland. - . j. * •• • 387
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