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Aviation History
1925
1925 - 0373.PDF
JUNE 18, 1925 THE Vauville meeting, which is international in character•commences on July 26 and finishes on August 9, and is •endowed with prizes to the value of 100,000 francs. It isopen to gliders and light 'planes, but the performances demanded are, of course, quite different in the two classes.In the case of light 'planes the actual competition is in the form of speed trials over a measured course of 70 kras.,which has to be covered once a day during the competition' and prizes will be awarded both for highest speed over thecourse on each day and for the highest aggregate speed during the meeting. * * * BEFORE being allowed to take part in the competition,machines are required to pass eliminating tests in which the power limit takes the form of a limit on fuel consumption.In these eliminating tests the machines will be required to fly a distance of 50 kms. (31 miles), at an altitude of lessthan 200 m. (6aO ft.), after which they must climb to an altitude of 2,000 m. (6.600 ft.). The completion of the50 kms. circuit, and the subsequent climb to 2,000 m., must not occupy more than two hours. Landing betweencompleting the circuit and doing the climb will not be permitted, and the amount of fuel allowed for the particulartests must not exceed 8 kgs. (17-6 lbs.) for single-seaters, -and 12 kgs. (26-4 lbs.) for two-seaters. These eliminating founder and proprietor of Flugzeughau Messcrschmitt, of Bam-berg, the following letter, written in hospital, where Herr. Messerschmitt is at present confined to bed as a result of aserious crash. He had entered two machines for the Round- Germany competition, both of the M.I7 type and both fittedwith A.B.C. " Scorpion " engines : " During a test flight on the first M.I7, on May 14, I got caught in the overheadcables of an electric high-tension power line. The machine was badly damaged, and I myself rather seriously injured,which is the reason I am writing from this sanatorium, where I have been since the accident. It took so long to effectrepairs that the machine could not be ready in time for the B.Z. competition. The second machine was not finisheduntil two days before the start and was, unfortunately, com- pelled to make a forced landing in the Thiiringer-Wald onaccount of plug trouble. The machine was only slightly damaged, but repairs could not be completed in time. It, inspite of these troubles, you are still interested in particulars of the M.I7, I will give them here. * * * " The M.I7 is a high-wing monoplane two-seater, withpilot at the back and passenger in the front, both seated below the wing. In order to improve the view, the upperportion of the fuselage is narrowed-in, so that the wing rests on a fuselage width of 23 cm. (9 in.) only. The wing is attached A NON-STARTER IN THE RUNDFLUG : The Messerschmitt M.17 light monoplane, with A.B.C. " Scorpion engine, which crashed owing to coming into contact with some overhead electric high-tension cables. tests may be expected to keep the power of the enginesused within reasonable limits, with probably a maximum of in the neighbourhood of 30 h.p. for single-seaters and45 h.p. for two-seaters. In view of the fact that the British light 'plane meeting at Lympne is to be held on August 1,2 and 3, it seems very doubtful if any British light 'planes will be competing. * * * UP to the present 23 machines have been entered, and it is expected that something like 30 all told will be officially entered before the closing date. So far, four countries are represented, namely, France, Belgium,'Holland and Roumania. The following is the entries list, and it may be mentioned that in the competition the machines will carry the same numbers as are shown in the following list. The letters in brackets after each entry indicate : B, Belgium ; F, France ; H, Holland ; R, Roumania. Nos. 1, 2 and 3—S.A.B.C.A. (B.) ; 4—Georges Ligreau (F.) ; 5 and 6—H. Pander en Zoonen, (H.) ; 7—Eric Nessler, (F.) ; 8—H. & M. Farman, (F.) ; 9—Henry Potez, (F.) ; 10—Victor Simonet, (B.) ; 11— Briens-Chapeau, (F.) ; 12—Bardin-Alerion, (F.) ; 13— C. Jonesco, (R.) ; 14—Robert Ferber, (F.) ; 15—Georges Sablier (F.) ; 16—Bourriau-Chapautau (F.) ; 17—Aero-Club Sablais (F.) ; 18—Alfred Auger, (F.) ; 19 and 20—Louis Peyret, (F.) ; 21—J. Rolle, (F.) ; 22—Rousset, (F.) ; and 22—Leon Gateu (F.) . * * * WE have received from Herr. Ing. Willy Messerschmitt, to the fuselage at four points, and is without bracing. Thepilot enters his cockpit through a small trap-door in the trail- ing edge of the wing, while the passenger enters through adoor in the side of the fuselage. The wing is in three parts, with the two end pieces made easily detachable. The centreportion has a span of 2 m. (6 ft. 7 in), and remains in place on the fuselage during transport or storage. The under-carriage has a rectangular box-section steel axle working in slots in the sides of the fuselage and carrying at its ends twoshort lengths of steel tube on which the wheels take their bearings. " The main characteristics of the M.17 are : span 11 -6 m.(38 ft.), length, 5-4 m. (17 ft. 8 in.), wing area, 10-3 sq. m. (Ill sq. ft.) ; weight, empty, 180 kg. (396 lb.),; useful load190 kg. (418 lb.) ; total loaded weight, 370 kg. (814 lb.). Take-off in 45 metres and 5 sees. The engine is an A.B.C." Scorpion," running at 2 400 r.p.m., at which speed it develops 24 h.p. The top speed is 150 km. (93-5 m.p.h.),and the landing speed, 65 km./h. (40 m.p.h.). The climb to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft.) occupies 6£ minutes."* * * THE general appearance of the Messerschmitt M.17 may be gathered from an inspection of the accompanying photo- graphs. The machine is not unlike the Beardmorc " Wee- Bee I." which won last year's light 'plane competition at Lympne, but the fuselage is considerably deeper, and the wing is of pure cantilever type, tapering in plan of form and thickness. . . , 373
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