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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0431.PDF
JULY 1, 1926 THE ARMSTRONG-WHITWORTH "ARGOSY " : Front view, from which the arrangement of the three Siddeley " Jaguar " engines may be seen. construction (which, by the way, is employed largely through- out the construction of this machine), noteworthy for the fact that welding is conspicuous for its absence. The pilot's cock- pit is located high up in the forward portion of the fuselage. Provision is made for two pilots, seated side by side, and seated high up, well in front, as they are, they have an excellent all- round view. Dual control is provided, and the arrangement and equipment of this cockpit is about the best we have had the pleasure of seeing. Immediately behind the pilot's cockpit is a space which contains the wireless outfit, while a small window enables one pilot to look back right into the main cabin. Aft of this comes the main passenger cabin, some 30 ft. in length and about 6 ft. high. There is, in fact, an exceptional amount of room for the passengers, who enter the cabin by a door on the port side of the fuselage, and there is no transverse bracing of any kind inside this part of the fuselage. The passengers are accommodated in two rows of very comfortable wicker armchairs, with a central gangway. Spacious windows (which can be opened), level with the passengers' heads, extend the entire length of the cabin walls, so that the interior of the cabin is not only very bright and cheerful, but an excellent view of the country below is obtained. Above the seats are racks for hats and light luggage. For night flying the cabin is provided with electric light, while on the front wall of the cabin are instruments indicating the speed and altitude of the machine. A lavatory adjoins the main cabin, and another compartment behind is provided for luggage—there being also another space for small packages beneath the pilot's cockpit. The total weight of the " Argosy " is nearly 8 tons, of which 2 tons are paying load. Sufficient petrol is carried for a flight of 400 miles. Its top speed is in the neighbourhood of 110 m.p.h. and the normal cruising speed is 90-95 m.p.h. The " Argosy " was put through its final trials before going for the Air Ministry tests last week by Capt. F. L. Barnard, the well-known Imperial Airways pilot—who, by the way, is responsible for numerous practical " brain waves " in its design. This huge machine certainly put up an exceptionally good performance. It takes off after a remarkably short run ; in fact, it is able to take the air after a run of some 350 yards, and can attain an altitude of 3,000 ft. in five minutes. It flies well and comfortably on only two engines, making right and left turns without difficulty with either wing engine cut out. In conclusion, we would like to say from actual experience that it is an exceptionally comfortable machine to fly in there being comparatively little noise, from the engines, inside the cabin, and even with Barnard's remarkable banked turns, we felt entirely at our ease seated in one of the roomy and comfortable chairs. Eventually the " Argosy " will be put into service by Imperial Airways. THE KING'S CUP AIR RACE THE race for the King's Cup, presented by His Majesty the King, will be held at Hendon Aerodrome on Friday and Saturday, July 9 and 10. The race will start early in the morning and competitors will be arriving and departing at short intervals throughout each day. Members of the Royal Aero Club will be admitted free on presentation of their membership badges. The charge for motor-cars will be 2s. The following competitors are expected to take part:— Vickers " Vixen " (entrant, Mr. Douglas Vickers), 450 h.p. Napier " Lion " (pilot, E. R. C. Scholefield). Nimbus-Martinsyde (entrant, Col. J. Barrett-Lennard), 300-330 h.p. " Nimbus " (pilot, Capt. F. T. Courtney). Martinsyde A.D.C.l (entrant, Col. M. O. Darby), Mark IIIA " Jaguar " (pilot, Squad.-Leader W. G. Hubert Jones). D.H.51 (entrant, Air Commodore J. G. Weir), 120-h.p. Airdisco (pilot, Col. The Master of Sempill). " Bristol " Badminton (entrant, Sir George Stanley White), Bristol " Jupiter " (pilot, F. L. Barnard). D.H. " Moth " (entrant, Capt. G. de Havilland), 27-60 " Cirrus " (pilot, Capt. G. de Havilland). D.H. " Moth " (entrant, Sir Charles C. Wakefield, Bt.), 27-60 " Cirrus " (pilot, Capt. H. S. Broad). D.H. " Moth " (entrant, The Duke of Sutherland), 27-60 " Cirrus " (pilot, Capt. F. G. M. Sparks). Nimbus-Martinsyde (entrant, Col. M. O. Darby), 300-330 " Nimbus " (pilot, H. H. Perry). Cranwell monoplane (entrant, Squad.-Leader W. Thomas), Bristol " Cherub " (pilot, F. Compers). D.H.37 (entrant, A. S. Butler), 300-330 h.p. " Nimbus " (pilot, A. S. Butler). The course for each day is as follows :— Hendon—Martlesham . . 72 miles. —Cambridge .. 49 —Hendon . . 45 (Compulsory stop of 30 minutes.) Hendon—Coventry . . 74 miles. —Cheltenham . . 44 ,, —Hendon . . 82 ,, (Compulsory stop of 1 hour.) Hendon—Martlesham .. 72 miles. —Cambridge . . 49 —Hendon . . 45 (Compulsory stop of 30 minutes.) Hendon—Coventry . . 74 miles. —Cheltenham . . 44 ,, —Hendon . . 82 ,, Total, 166 miles. Total, 200 Total, 166 Total, 200 Total for each day .. .. 732 miles. Turning Points Martlesham Heath.—30 ft. flagstaff flying Royal Air Force ensign, planted at the initial letter " M " in the name of station, " Martlesham Heath," set out in chalk letters on the middle of the aerodrome. Cambridge.—A white cross on the ground in field 200 yards east of Cambridge railway station. Coventry.—Whitley Aerodrome, 3 miles south of Coventry. Wind cone on the extreme south hangar on the aerodrome. Cheltenham.—Brockworth Aerodrome (Gloucestershire Air- craft Co.), 7 miles south-west of Cheltenham and 3 miles east of Gloucester. White cross on aerodrome. 369
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