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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0683.PDF
OCTOBER 23, 1924 Those wishing to get m touch with others interested in matters relating to eliding and the construction of gliders are invited to write to the Editor of FLIGHT, who will he pleased to -publish such communications on this page, in order to bring together those who would like to co-operate, either in forming gliding clubs or in private collaboration. UNDER the Official Notices of the Royal Aero Club last week was published a table giving the net lap times, etc., of the various competitors in the Grosvenor Cup Race held at Lvmpne on October 4. Several interesting facts, apart from the'actual speeds made, emerge from this. The regularity with which all those competitors who completed the 100 miles' course did their laps is rather remarkable, the majority being within a very few seconds of the same time for each lap. The winner, Hinkler, on the Avro " Avis," differed onlv by 18 sees, between his fastest and his slowest lap. Some'wha't similar results were attained by other competitors. The fastest machine to complete the course was the Parnall " Pixie II " single-seater of last year, but fitted with a special 1,000 c.c. engine. The R.A.E. Aero Club's "Hurri cane " was not, however, very much slower, and actually covered the sixth lap at a slightly higher speed than that of the " Pixie II." It forced-landed in the seventh lap, how ever. The long time taken by the Vickers " Vagabond " No. 16, for the first lap is accounted for by a delay which occurred in starting the engine, the time thus spent counting as flying time. * * * IN the case of those competitors who did not complete the course no speeds are given in the table, but the following are the approximate average speeds for the number of laps completed :— No. 16, 69 m.p.h. ; G-EBHN, 66 m.p.h. ; No. 7, 70 m.p.h. ; No. 20, 78 m.p.h. REFERENCE has already been made in these notes to the interest taken by the Air Ministry and the R.A.F. in the Lympne light 'plane competitions. Distinguished repre- senatatives of both were present throughout the trials, and as further evidence of their interest the Air Ministry intimated, immediately after the Lympne week, that it had been decided to test thoroughly at Martlesham any light 'planes which constructors might care to send there for test. Thus the machines that were prevented by sundry minor troubles from taking part in the competitions will be given a perfectly fair trial, and will be tested for performance with the aid of all modern appliances so as to ensure exact comparative results. WITH commendable promptitude the Royal Aeronautical Society has arranged for a paper to be read on the subject of the Lympne light 'plane trials on October 30, and it is significant that the lecturer on this occasion will be Major J. S. Buchanan, A.F.R.Ae.S., of the Technical Department of the Air Ministry. Thus again we have proof of the keenness with which the Air Ministry is watching the light 'plane development, and although it appears probable that Major Buchanan will be expressing personal opinions only, it is equally likely that his view will not differ widely from those of the Air Ministry. The paper should, therefore, be of more than usual interest, especially as Major Buchanan was present at Lympne throughout the week and had unrivalled oppor tunities for studying the machines at close hand. The paper, as we have said, should prove uncommonly interesting, and all of our readers who can possibly do so should make a point of attending. The lecture will be held at the Royal Aeronautical Society's offices, 7, Albemarle Street, and will commence at 5.30 p.m. * * * IN connection with our remarks in these columns last week, concerning the use of pre-War 30 h.p. " Y "-type Anzani engines for giving the slow-speed light 'plane engine a practical trial before definitely deciding upon the type to develop, we have received from the Northern Engineers Supply Co., of Canning Road, Abbey Mills, West Ham, London, E. 15, a H H An Egyptian Air Force THE Egyptian Government is examining the proposal submitted a year ago for the creation of an Air Service under the Ministry for War. It is proposed to purchase eight aeroplanes and to send selected Egyptians to England and letter stating that this firm has four of these engines in perfect order, but without magnetos and carburettors. We under stand that these engines are to be had very cheaply should any firm be interested in giving them a trial in a modern light 'plane. * * * AUSTRALIA is taking a keen interest in the light 'plane movement, and it is felt that in the outlying districts of the British Empire even more than at home, there will be a great future for aeroplanes of this type. Whether or not the " right" type has been evolved is, perhaps, open to argument, but manufacturers would do well not to overlook the possibilities of business in the Dominions. It appears likely, however, that what will really be required there is something more simple and robust than some of the machines produced for the actual Lympne competitions. It should be recollected that the formula upon which was based the award of marks placed a premium on wide speed range, and in order to get this very special features were called for. Probably the private owner-pilot, especially abroad, will prefer to sacrifice a certain amount of performance in order to have a 'plane which is simple and strong, provided the weight does not become such as to overload the engine iitted. * # * INCIDENTALLY, this question of designing for the special conditions obtaining in the Colonies, raises the problem of wood versus metal construction. Owing to the extreme temperatures to be met with, there seems to be reason to suppose that metal construction would have a considerable advantage, although against its use is frequently advanced the objection that repairs and replacements are more difficult to effect, at any rate by local and more or less unskilled labour. On the other hand, it might be argued that, except for bad crashes, the need for repairs should be less frequent than in the case of the wood machine. Lympne certainly produced excellent machines of both forms of construction, and doubtless the future will show that there is a market for both, one type being suitable in one part of the Empire and another more favoured in other districts. WITH regard to the wood machine there is a further development along the lines of construction employing local timber. It would seem likely that, until such time as quantity production of all-metal light 'planes becomes a commercial proposition, a good plan might be for our designers to supply complete designs of their machines to be built under licence from timber actually grown in the locality where the machines are. to be used. There are, of course, certain difficulties in the way, such as a thorough knowledge, on the part of the designer of the machine, of the character istics and suitability of the timbers obtainable, but doubtless the various forestry departments would be willing to help with any information likely to be of use. * * * IN the meantime Australia has taken the lead as regards home construction of light 'planes, and we understand that arrangements have been made for a light 'plane competition to be held there shortly. At the moment no particulars are available, but we hope to be able to publish an account, and possibly photographs of some of the Australian machines in a forthcoming issue of FLIGHT. It will be interesting to see how Australian designers tackle the problem of the light 'plane. While they may be assumed to have had less experience of aircraft design than our old-established firms, they will undoubtedly have their own ideas as to what is required, and this fact in itself should prove highly instructive to our own designers. * * * A READER has written to remind us that the Selfridge glider prize of 1,000 guineas is still open for competition. This prize, it will be recollected, is offered for the first cross country flight of 50 miles in a glider, measured from starting to landing point. If the prize is not won, half the amount will be awarded to the pilot who first covers 25 miles in gliding flight. m H British air centres,in Egypt for training as pilots and mechanics. The main idea is that the Air Service should supplement the Camel Corps in patrolling the land frontiers, which are very long and run entirely through desert, both west and east. The main frontier stations will be at Solium and El Arish. 683
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