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Aviation History
1925
1925 - 0568.PDF
SEPTEMBER 3, 1925 spar of the main wing, and are of similar construction. For lateral control thev are interconnected, but are independent of the auxiliary wings. Each aileron is provided with two steel operating levers, faired by plywood. The control cables, also doubled, pass through the wings and the fin-like cabane supporting the wings on the fuselage. Inspection doors are provided for the cables and pulleys. The main wings, which are in two portions, are attached to a fin-like cabane projecting from the fuselage by means of three detachable metal fittings, corresponding to the three main longerons of the wings. The attachment at the central, or primary, longeron is of the articulated spherical type, while the two other attachments are of the fork type, adjustable as to height and thus allowing the wings to be set at any desired angle of incidence. It is of interest to note that the central attachment on the cabane is formed covering of special plywood. At the rear of, and built integral with, the fuselage are the fixed tail surfaces, comprising a ver- tical fin, to which is hinged the rudder, and two small tri- angular horizontal surfaces (one each side of the fuselage) carrying the comparatively large one-piece balanced ele- vator. The forward or engine section of the fuselage is constructed of metal and forms a self-contained unit entirely separate from the fuselage, from which it is divided by a fireproof partition. This engine section can easily be detached, enabling, if necessary, another unit with similar or different type of engine to be as easily substituted. The engine fitted is an Anzani 50 h.p. type 6A.20 air-cooled radial, but we under- stand that a rotary engine such as the 50 h.p. Gnome can be fitted. The engine is mounted in a metal frame attached to the fuselage by four detachable fittings in such a way that THE PIERO MAGNI " VITTORIA 1924" SESQUIPLANE : At the top is a view of the partly-coveredfuselage, showing the triangular steel frame support for the main planes. Below is the pilot's control, the two side levers operating the auxiliary wings. on a triangular transverse member of the fuselage, of metal tubes, to the bottom of which are attached the main wing struts (which also carry the auxiliary wings). All wing loads are thus centred on this transverse triangular metal frame, thereby relieving the fuselage of any heavy wing loads. Of course, all wing joints or attachments are designed so that they allow for all variations of incidence setting. The auxiliary wings are similar in construction to the main wings, and each consists of a main wooden box spar through which passes the main wing strut, a secondary spar at the rear, spruce ribs, and a plywood covering. The main spar is mounted on the wing strut by means of special bearings which allow the auxiliary wing to rotate through a range of incidence between —3° to 90°. At the lower end of each auxiliary wing is a steel crank lever, faired with wood, working in a recess formed in the side of the fuselage and to which is attached the operating rod from the pilot's control lever—there being a lever for each wing situated on either side of the pilot. The fuselage is composed of two main portions, the engine section constructed entirely of metal, and the body proper constructed of wood and carrying the wings, pilot, chassis tanks, instruments, tail surfaces, etc. The body proper is of the " coque " type and is built up of circular hoops, diaphragms, and longerons of wood, and to the framework thus formed is attached, by brass screws, a the whole engine unit can pivot on two of these fittings and swing clear of the fuselage, thus greatly facilitating repairs, inspection, etc. A quickly detachable aluminium cowling encloses the engine, and forming a continuation of the cowling is a spinner, also of aluminium, mounted on the airscrew. The pilot's cockpit is located at the rear of the main wings where, as previously stated, he has a remarkably good all- round range of vision. In front of the pilot is a wind shield, of Triplex glass, and behind is a fairing for his head. This fairing also contains the parachute, for use in case of accidents. The landing chassis is composed of two faired inverted L- struts carrying two large-diameter Palmer aero wheels mounted on a steel axle, sprung by " Sandow " shock absorbers. The principal characteristics, for normal flying, of the " Vittoria 1924 " are :— Span 26 ft. 3 ins. O.A. length 18 ft. Height Wing area (total) Wing area (effective) Weight (empty) Weight (laden) Useful load Wing loading Power loading 7 ft. 4 ins. 118 sq.ft. 107-6 sq.ft. 623 lbs. 905 lbs. 282 lbs. 8-4 lbs./sq. ft. 17-08 lbs./h.p. R.A.F. Flying Accident Flying Officer Harry Butlin, the pilot of one machine, and THE Air Ministry regrets to announce that, as a result of his passenger, Pilot Officer Dermot de Robeck, were killed, a collision in the air at Hinxton, Cambridge, between two Pilot Officer Hugh Peck, the pilot and sole occupant of the Siskin machines of No. Ill Squadron, Duxford, on August 28, other machine, was also killed. 568
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