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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0214.PDF
MARCH 25, 1926- DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL MARINE AIRCRAFT Some unusually interesting data collected by Mr, O. E. Simmonds THE paper read by Mr. O. E. Simmonds before the Institution of Aeronautical Engineers on March 9, under the title " The Development of Civil Marine Aircraft," proved an unusually interesting one. The paper was rather long, and does not lend itself to being summarised, but a lot of very valuable information was contained in a series of tables, which we reproduce on p. 181. For the first time comparative figures for a number of seaplanes have been made available, and in order to appreciate what the tables actually mean, we quote below the lecturer's explanatory remarks :— (1) The machines are arranged in order of power loading. (2) As the aim of the tables is to compare designs, hull soakage is not included in the structure weight of wooden machines. (3) Machines built as amphibians have had all amphibian gear removed in computing structure weight in order to obtain more accurate comparisons. (4) All figures are calculated on the basis of a 300-mile flight at cruising speed, and the effect on paying load of each additional 100 miles is indicated. (5) Disposable load includes crew, equipment and paying load—not fuel. (6) Table I indicates the maximum number of crew and passengers for which provision is made. In other tables, aircraft of less than 10,000 lb. gross weight are assumed to require one pilot only ; above that weight allowance is made for a second member of the crewj (7) It will be noted that considerable disparity exists between the weight of accommodation and equipment for the various machines. As in some instances items naturally falling under these headings may be fixtures and thus become included in structure weight, no attempt has been made to reduce the weights under these two headings to a standard figure. All machines carry wireless equipment, flying instruments and marine gear, although the weights of these items vary considerably. (8) In Tables III and IV the complete list of component weights is given in terms of normal horse-power and as percentages of total weight respectively. By this means comparisons of enhanced value are obtainable, since inefficient components of each machine can readily be seen and their, bearing on the final index figures gauged. By way of assisting in forming an idea of the various types, of machines in question, we give, on p. 180, photographs of. 14 out of the 16 machines dealt with by the lecturer. Although the photographs are small, they should illustrate such points as must be kept in mind in making comparisons, the more so as all the machines will be fairly familiar to readers of FLIGHT, practically all the machines having previously been described and illustrated in FLIGHT at some time or other. As regards the paper itself, it may be said to have tended to demonstrate that the seaplane, regarded as a commercial vehicle, is not anything like as inferior to the landplane in the matter of load carried per horse-power as many have imagined. The Polar Flight Expeditions JUST as everything was ready for a start with the polar flight expedition, led by Capt. G. H. Wilkins, both the aero- planes to be employed for the purpose of exploring the unknown arctic regions were damaged during trial flights at Fairbanks, Alaska. As a result, it will be some days before the machines can be repaired and a start for the Pole made. Meanwhile successful trials are being continued with the Amundsen-Ellsworth polar airship " Norge " at Rome, while it is reported from New York that Commander Richard E. Byrd has obtained leave from the U.S. Navy to attempt a flight to the North Pole. He proposes to use a Fokker machine and to start from Spitzbergen. Pussyfoot Claws at Croydon ONE of the items—and a much-needed one—of the improved London Terminal Aerodrome at Croydon that had been planned by the Air Ministry was the erection of a big modern hotel, worthy of what was hoped would be Europe's most important of airports. The Croydon Borough Justices, however, have decided otherwise—although not unanimously —for when an application for a licence for the hotel was made by the contractors, backed by the Air Ministry, it was refused. It is difficult to understand the reason for such an outrage against public convenience, an action which makes London official methods the laughing stock of Europe. South of England Aeroplane Club WE have received the following announcement respecting the above Club :—The South of England Aeroplane Club, which has been formed under the patronage of Sir Frederic Wise, M.P., and others, expects to commence operations at Brooklands aerodrome in the course of next month, using Avro S04K and D.H. " Moth " machines. A large number of applications for membership have been received, but there are still immediate vacancies. Those who wish to learn to fly during the coming summer should lose no time in getting in touch with this Club. Particulars of the club and its activities can be obtained by sending a stamped envelope to the Secre- tary, Flying Officer W. Knox, at 21, Airlie Gardens, Ilford, Essex. We understand that it is intended that this club should embrace the whole of the south of England, and not Essex only, as originally intended. Application has been made to the Air Ministry for inclusion in the Light Plane Club scheme. The Danish Flight to Tokyo THE two Danish pilots, Lieuts. Botved and Herschend, who left Copenhagen on March 16 in an attempt to fly to Tokyo in two " Junkers " aeroplanes, proceeding from Berlin which was reached the same afternoon, they reached Constantinople a few days later. Lieut. Herschend got to' Aleppo on March 21, but lost sight of his companion en route. Lieut. Botved, however, had to descend at Eski Shehr (Asia, Minor) in foggy weather, but rejoined his companion later jit Aleppo. Coupet's New Record LIEUT. LUCTEN COUPET, flying a Breguet XIX fitted with a 500 h.p. Farman engine at Villaconblay on March 17, established a new world's altitude record for a machine carry-., ing a load of 1,000 kgs., when he attained an altitude of 6,450 m. (21,158 ft.). Commercial Air Lines in South America THE first Bolivian air traffic line is a weekly service- running between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz ; it is operated with all-metal Junkers-type F.13 aeroplanes, and in the first three months 385 passengers have been carried. This interesting airway development is all the more striking in that it is actually the highest altitude airway in the world; Santa Cruz being 987 ft. above sea level, whilst Cochabamba is at an altitude of no less than 12,000 ft. above sea level and is the world's highest air port. Reports received from Buenos Aires state that the Junkers Mission in South America intends operating a passenger air line between Buenos Ayres and Montevideo, which is to be flown three times a week. The manager of the Junkers Mission travelled by a Junkers seaplane to Montevideo for the purpose of entering into negotiations with the Postmaster- General of Uruguay. It is hoped that as a result of these discussions the new route will be opened shortly. Over Siberian Plains by Air UNDER the pilotage of M. Balyscheff a Russian-built Junkers aeroplane belonging to the " Dobroljot " recently flew from Moscow to Krasnoyarsk. The machmf was en route for Turuchansk and carried mails and passengers destined for several villages in the North Siberian Plains. It is a survey flight, undertaken for the purpose of studying the possibilities for opening an air express service for the benefit of fur traders. The Rolls-Royce Condor Series III A DESCRIPTIVE handbook on the Series III Rolls Rove. "Condor" aero engine has just been issued by the A Ministry (Air Publication 1158). Copies can be obtaine from H.M. Stationery Office, Kingsway, W.C.2, the pn< being 4s. net. The book, which is remarkably well illustrate j. by photographs and sketches, is divided into 3 parts ; Part 1 being a description of the engine, Part II instructions f - dismantling and assembling, and Part III directions i - running and maintenance of the engine. 182
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