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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0945.PDF
DECEMBER 9, 1926 27,000. No trouble whatever was experienced with theaircraft or engines. The third flight was carried out by two Vickers' troopcarriers, each fitted with two 450 h.p. Napier Lion engines, and the journey from Cairo to Aden and back was carriedout without mechanical trouble, a total engine mileage of 18,000 being covered. It is of interest to note, as showingthe consistency of the Napier engine, that in each one of these flights the engines were taken from store in the ordinary way,and were not specially tuned up for the strenuous flights they had been chosen to undertake. Another achievement carried out in 1926 was the remarkableflight by Commandante Franco, the famous Spanish aviator, who piloted a Dornier Wai flying boat fitted with two NapierLion engines, from Spain to Buenos Aires, a total distance of 6,259 miles, in 59J hours' flying. This flight was carried out bya series of long hops, including a non-stop journey across the open sea of 1,440 miles. This was the first occasion on whichthe South Atlantic ocean had been flown without change of machine or engine. In the last few months a most strenous test has beencarried out in Germany ; a competition was arranged in order to discover the best German commercial seaplane. Out of17 entries, only 3 survived the trials, which occupied a period of 10 days. The first prize was awarded a Heinkel machine,fitted with the only British Napier engine in the competition. Following this success, news has just come to hand of twoworld records which have been awarded the winner of this competition for high altitude whilst carrying heavy loads.On the first occasion an altitude of 3£ miles was reached, with a weight of 500 kgs., and on the second occasion analtitude of 2| miles was attained with a machine carrying 1,000 kgs. At the time of writing these records havenot been confirmed by the Federation Aeronatique Interna- tionale. Another phase of flying where the Napier Lion has provedits wonderful efficiency is on the commercial side. Imperial Airways have in use 20 of these engines which have covered anaggregate of over 2,000,000 miles, one engine alone having flown over 200,000 miles. During the 12 months endingSeptember 30, 1926, these Napier engines in use by Imperial Airways covered an aggregate of 566,200 miles withoutinjury to passengers or crew. In addition to the standard geared " Lion," the Napier Co.also manufacture a direct-drive model, which has given great success, and it is from this famous factory in London thatthe 1,000 h.p. Napier " Cub " was produced, which is the only engine of this high power to take the air successfully. The Napier Co. have also achieved considerable successwith a racing type Napier " Lion " engine in which the power has been increased to an amazing extent, togetherwith considerable reduction in the weight. The above is just a brief review of the construction andachievements of the world-famous Napier. Apart from the British Government, over twenty countries THE NAPIER " LION" IN THE MAKING : Machiningthe crankshaft. now employ the Napier engine. This world-wide successhas been achieved because of the outstanding reliability and high performance of the Napier " Lion," combined witha modern design giving a very high power-weight ratio. Below is given a brief specification of the famous NapierLion," and attention is drawn to the fact that the weight of the engine dry, complete with reduction gear, airscrewboss and starter, is less than 2 1b. per horse-power developed at maximum speed of revolutions :— Cylinders, 12 in three blocks of four each, one vertical,two at 60° ; horse-power (with 5-8 to 1 compression ratio), 450 at normal speed, 2,000 r.p.m., 502 at maximum permissiblespeed, 2,200 r.p.m. ; speed of airscrew shaft, 1,320 r.p.m. ; oil consumption (average), 0-0235 lb. per b.h.p.-hr. ; starter,petrol priming system and hand-turning gear ; weight of engine dry, 940 lbs. (approx.) ; weight per horse-powerdeveloped, under 2 lb. ; length overall to centre of airscrew boss, 4 ft. 9 ins. (approx.) ; height overall, 3 ft. (approx.) ;width overall, 3 ft. 6 in. (approx.). IN THE NAPIER FACTORY AT ACTON : Checking crankshafts, etc., of the " Lion '' in the View Room. 8%
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