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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0434.PDF
METAL-CLAD AIRSHIPS [2140] I read with interest Mr. Upson's paper on " Metal- Clad Airships." As far as I can see, there is nothing new in his design. In fact, not so much as was incorporated in my corrugated system of airship and aeroplane construction exhibited at the Daily Mail Exhibition in April, 1907, photographs of this system exhibited on my models were extensively published and favourably commented on in the technical press at that date by the late Hon. Charles Rolls who said in the Daily Mail, when writing an account of the exhibits, that my system would be extensively used in the future construction of aeroplanes and airships. Mr. Berriman then Technical Editor of FLIGHT, and other writers on the subject also made favourable comments. The highbrows at the R.A.F. told me a metal machine would never rise from the ground, and if it did, it would smash (as they saw my metal machine smash in the competition) when it came to the ground, because, they thought, the machine would be too rigid, their ideas about an aeroplane being something like a sheet on a clothesline, and as far as I can see, the technical staff's ideas on engines at the Air Ministry now are on a par with the above. Professor Junker adopted the design in 1918 for aeroplanes, and it appears to me that Mr. Upson JULY 1, 1926 and Commander Barnley are now developing the system for airships in 1926. The airship hull I exhibited in 1907 was built of 30 S.W.G. corrugated aluminium, the sheets were double clinched together and riveted, which made the hull very rigid longitudinally, also gas and watertight, longitudinal bracing being unnecessary. The radial ribs are designed on a corrugated tension system, which is very strong, light and absolutely rigid. Since those days I have improved the design, and discovered a new system of constructing airships. A metal ship of any size can be built up from a platform about 15 ft. from the ground, no elaborate scaffolding being necessary. This reduces the cost very considerably, and facilitates the speed of construction, because the workmen have not to clamber about and work on dangerous scaffolding. The process of construction being automatic, almost like that employed in the construction of a Ford car. I shall be pleased to give information to any firm interested in metal construction. In conclusion, I would draw the attention of pioneers of Flight to a letter published in this week's Autocar, June 18, on " Nature's Speed Models and other Flight Matters." WILLIAM COCHRANELondon, June 19, 1926. ~-.it*. A NEW GLOSTER SINGLE-SEATER FIGHTER : We show above two views of the " Gorecock," a fast single-seater fighter designed by Mr. H. P. Folland, of the Gloucestershire Aircraft Co. This is an " external view Only " machine, so we can only draw attention here to its clean design, and the neat wing radiators. It is fittedt - " with a direct-drive Napier "Lion " engine. 372
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