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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0246.PDF
flight was that whatever the speed shown on the indicator, the level of the fuselage altered but little. This was, of course, to be expected, as the fact of the flaps coming down virtually increases the angle of incidence as well as the camber, and is thus equivalent to dropping the tail. It was, however, rather startling to have the fact brought home to one by actual experience. Even on approaching the aerodrome when about to land, the tail remained nearly horizontal, and the speed at which to this flap gear might accidentally stall the machine, being accustomed to dropping the tail far lauding, but this is purely a question of the pilot getting used to the particular machine, and is hardly worth serious consideration. It is not difficult to foresee a line of development by which the Handley Page front slot and permanently slotted ailerons are combined with the de Havilland automatic cambering device, and, as a matter of fact, some such combination should add very greatly to the speed range of a machine, especially THE DE HAVILLAND AUTOMATIC CAMBERING DEVICE : On the left the inspection door on the lower starboard wing is shown open, disclosing the aileron sprocket. On the right a view underneath the wing, showing the crank, rod, and king-post of the aileron and flap control. the aerodrome was approached seemed ridiculously low, especially when taken in conjunction with the level fuselage. As a matter of fact, the feeling of floating into an aerodrome at about 45 m.p.h. air speed with the tail still well up is wholly delightful, and gives a sense of security that must be experienced to be appreciated. On dropping to the ground the machine stopped its forward speed almost in its own length, the flaps, then right down and the whole wing at a large angle, acting as a very efficient air brake. There is, of course, the risk that a pilot unaccustomed by using the new type H.P. metal auxiliary aerofoil, which does not affect the wing at all when closed. The disadvantage of the large angler necessitated by the H.P. slotted wing should be to a great extent counterbalanced by the D.H. camber gear. In the meantime we understand that the de Havilland Aircraft Company are prepared to consider the granting of licences to any constructor who desires to employ the camber gear, much as several constructors are already incorporating the de Havilland differential aileron gear, which also con stitutes a de Havilland Patent. W. W: A Sign of the Times : A batch of 12 D.H.53 light 'planes coming through the shops at Sta£ Lane. 246
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