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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0852.PDF
NOVEMBER 25. 1926 THE SUPERMARINE SOUTHAMPTON " : Two views of the cantilever tail, illustrating how little the field offire is interfered with by the tail. is provided with a trimming gear, so as to balance the machine in the engine-on and cngine-off condition, and also, of course, to allow for any differences in trim due to variations in load. The Power Plant The Napier " Lion " engines are mounted on substantial bearers carried on pin-jointed tubular struts. The engine mountings are separate units mounted on the lower centre section, and can be easily removed without interfering with the wing structure by removing five pins in the strut ends, and by disconnecting the engine controls and petrol leads. Each engine has its radiator mounted in front of it, and an oil tank behind it. which are removed with the engines and mountings. As all the engine instruments are mounted on the engine bearers the complete engine unit can be lifted out of the machine with a sling from directly overhead, the position of the engines forward of the wings rendering this possible. The petrol system is by gravity feed only, no petrol being carried inside the hull. The two main petrol tanks are slung underneath the top centre section, and are of very large capacity. One of our photographs shows the internal arrange- ment of baffle plates in a tank. Hand starting gear is fitted to each engine, suitably geared to make the handles easy to turn. Standard priming pumps are fitted which feed from the niters, and the starting magnetos are geared in with the starting handles. Owing to the absence of wire bracing over the centre portion it is very easy for mechanics to climb down into the rear cockpits after starting up the engines. The Boat Hull The hulls of the standard " Southampton " flying-boats are of all-wood construction, although, as previously mentioned, an all-metal hull is now being produced. Both hulls are of the circular section flexible type. The standard hull embodies all the latest developments in Supermarine wooden hull design, including raised and flared bow, double bottom with air space from bow to rear step, brass running strakes and transom protecting strips. The double bottom is divided into ten THE SUPERMARINE " SOUTHAMPTON Photographs of a tail plane, main 'plane, and rudder in skeleton. 760
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