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Aviation History
1923
1923 - 0528.PDF
SEPTEMBER 6. 1923 THE BOULTON AND PAUL "BODMIN An Exceptionally Interesting British All-Metal Machine IT is now several years since Boulton and Paul, Ltd., ofNorwich, decided, as a result of very extensive experimental research work on metal construction, to specialise on all-metalaircraft, and since that decision was taken several different types of all-metal machines .have been produced. As,however, these were built for the Air Ministry, it has not been permissible to refer to them in detail, and all that it hashitherto been possible to give in FLIGHT is external views ofsome of the types. The consequence has been that far less has become generally known about the really wonderful workbeing carried out by this firm than the character of the work merits. It is, therefore, with considerable satisfaction thatwe are able this week to give the first detailed illustrated description of a modern Boulton and Paul all-metal machine,the Air Ministry restrictions having been withdrawn as far as this particular type, the P.12, or " Bodmin," is concerned.The Boulton and Paul " Bodmin " is of quite exceptional interest to the student of aeronautics, partly on account ofits construction, but also because the design incorporates the planned with this object in view, and other considerations,sueh as extra long range and great carrying capacity, have been given second place. It will readily be understood that, however the problem isattacked, a machine with central engines and propellers on the wings must of necessity be heavier than one in which theengines are placed on the wings. Not only is there the extra weight of the transmission gear, but the fact that the enginesare centrally placed increases the load on the wings, which, therefore, have to be built stronger, i.e., heavier, than in theordinary twin-engined biplane with the engines on the wings. When, therefore, Boulton and Pauls have succeeded inbuilding a machine of this type, in which there is still a reasonably large proportion of useful load, this is an achieve-ment which has been rendered possible mainly by virtue of the all-metal construction. In his paper before the RoyalAeronautical Society, Mr. J. D. North, chief engineer of Boulton and Paul, Ltd., expressed the opinion that metalconstruction would ultimately afford a means of saving THE BOULTON AND PAUL "BODMIN " : Three-quarter front view. unusual feature of twin engines placed in the fuselage, with transmission drive to propellers placed on the wings. The " Bodmin," or P. 12, to give the machine its proper series number, was designed to an Air Ministry specification calling for central placing of the engines. It is not permissible to state for what particular purpose the machine is required, nor in which locality it is likely to be used, but the main object aimed at has been reliability—not merely reasonably good reliability, but the nearest approach to absolute reliability which, at the moment, it is humanly possible to provide. Consequently the whole power plant installation has been weight, and that already something like 20 per cent, of the structure weight could be saved by scientific metal con- struction. We believe that, as a matter of fact, the saving effected in the case of the " Bodmin " is of this order, and as the machine is a fairly large one, it will be realised that the effect on the useful load is very considerable. Thus, apart from the questions of rapid production, durability, fire-proof qualities, etc., it would seem to have been demonstrated that the employment of high-tensile steels, if skilfully used, can lead to weight savings which, on the one hand, may render possible the production of a type that wovild not otherwise THE BOULTON AND PAUL BODMIN " : Three-quarter rear view. 528
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