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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0320.PDF
MAY 12, 1927 bulkheads or formers, the skin being riveted to both spars and formers. In addition, the thickness of the skin varies from point to point in the wing according to local stresses, the change being effected partly by using sheet duralumin of different gauges and partly by lamination. The more or less closed box construction of the Rohrbach wing has necessitated a somewhat unusual arrangement of the leading and trailing edges. These are hinged to front and rear spar at short intervals, and are attached in such a manner that by undoing a number of small bolts the leading and trailing edges can be swung up or down in such a manner as to enable an inspection of the interior of the wing box to be made, or even minor repairs to be effected. Also, should any sea water have got inside the wings, in taxying in a very rough sea, for instance, the water can be drained out, and leading and trailing vdges opened so as to enable air to get at the interior of the wing and dry up any water that may have collected in out-of-the-way corners. The boat hull is of the fiat-sided variety, "this form evidently having been chosen in order to avoid as far as possible the somewhat expensive panel beating which is necessary where sheet material has to be bent over a double curvature. An exception is formed by the planing bottom of the hull, which, in the latest type "of Rohrbach, is of pronounced " V " formation, the "flat-bottomed hulls of the earlier Rohrbachs having, we believe, given a certain amount of trouble owing to leakage as a result of hard landings. There a wing float is punctured, and the machine begins to heel over, the wing tip will meet the water, and by the buoyancy of the wing tip boxes, acting on a long lever arm, will effectively prevent the machine from turning right over, although it would naturally be over at a rather uncomfortable angle. Hull Accommodation The boat hull of the Rohrbach " Rocco " is, as already mentioned, divided into a number of compartments. The nose of the boat forms what is terned a " collision compart- ment," which is separated from the rest of the boat by a watertight bulkhead. In this compartment is carried the gear for handling the machine on the water, such as anchor ropes, boat hooks, drogues, etc. This collision compartment would protect the rest of the boat in case of accidental ramming of any obstacle resulting in a leak in the forward part uf the hull. Aft of the collision bulkhead is the pilot's cockpit, in which are placed two seats side by side, and all the controls, instruments, etc Owing to the situation of the cockpit ahead of the wings, the view is particularly good in all directions, especially as the boat hull is of relatively narrow beam. Behind the cockpit is the wireless compartment, which has a length of 0-92 m. (3 ft.) and a width of l-5m. (4 ft. 11 ins.). In addition to the wireless outfit, table, seat, etc., this compartment also contains the auxiliary engine, SPAN LENGTH WING AREA 85'- A 59'-3" l,OOOSq. Ft. ROHRBACH "ROCCO" 2 ROLLS - ROYCE "CONDOR El" ENGINES THE ROHRBACH " ROCCO General Arrangement Drawings, to scale. are two steps in the hull, as in most modern flying-boats, the steps being of the closed variety. In the detail construction of the hull, as well as in that of the wings, only flat sheet and open sections are employed in order to afford cheap construction and ease of inspection. Thus, it is claimed that no hidden rivets are found anywhere in the structure, all riveting being open to inspection from both sides. Furthermore, both during actual construction and in use later on the open sections employed render the operation of protecting the material against corrosion easier and more certain. A number of bulkheads divide the boat hull into watertight compartments, and all the doors in the cabin are so made as to be watertight when closed, thus reducing the risk of sinking in case of damage in one com- partment, It is even claimed that the buoyancy of the hull is such that with all doors and windows closed the machine would remain afloat with two adjacent compartments damaged. A similar principle applies to the out-board wing floats, and as a safeguard against the machine turning over in case of damage to a wing float the outer few feet of the wing itself have been formed into watertight boxes, so that if which is so arranged as to reduce the noise of it to a minimum, by being housed inside a sound-proof compartment. The auxiliary engine is a Bristol gas starter, which, in addition to its main function of starting the engines, is also employed for driving the electric generator and the bilge pumps. The saloon has a length of 6-8 m. (22 ft. 4 ins.) and a width of 1 • 7 m. (5 ft. 7 ins.) and there is ample head room for standing upright throughout. A watertight bulkhead divides the saloon into two separate compartments with a watertight central door giving communication between the two. '^ forward compartment has accommodation for four passenp -^ and the aft one for six. Entrance to the saloon is throun" a hatchway in the deck of the hull at the aft end of the sal""^ The saloon is covered with leather and other material wluj is so arranged as to absorb a considerable amount ol '• noise from the engines. The seats have adjustable t>a-^ rests and are claimed to be extremely comfortable. ^ windows of the saloon are in the form of'round portholes .< ^ like the various doors and hatch covers, arc so made as t' watertight when closed. The saloon is well ventilated ^^ heated and by each passenger's seat there is an electric if. 288
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