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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0714.PDF
flights to be carried out without the thought always in mind that a crash during tests meant the absence of a challenger in the race. This is, of course, due to the Air Ministry's policy of undertaking the task of financing the production of the machines, the cost of which has now reached a magnitude such that it is quite outside the ability of any individual or aircraft firm to afford the expense. Quite apart from whether this country is successful in the race or not, we are quite sure that the expenditure will have been well worth while. The designers—and the technical staff of the Air Ministry—will have gained much valuable information, information which could not have been obtained in any other way. which will directly benefit the production of high-speed single- seater fighters for the Royal Air Force. Much can be discovered from wind tunnel experiments, and the de Havilland Aircraft Company has shown, with their " Tiger Moth," a description of which appears in this issue, that high-speed research can be carried out at relatively small cost, but there must always remain a certain number of problems connected with ultra-high speeds, which can only be settled by actual flying experiments. Moreover, there is always the subject of the engines. Whatever can be learned of aerodynamic problems from only moderately high- speed machines, there will always remain the subject of powerful, light and reliable engines, and it would be difficult to imagine anything better calculated to test to the uttermost the qualities of an aero engine than a race like that for the Schneider Trophy. Figures relating to the Napier racing engines are not available for publication, but it is no secret that the new engine develops a great deal more power than did the model fitted in the Supermarine and Gloster machines in 1925, while it is much " cleaner " for fitting into the machines. It is believed that the reliability is all that could be expected from the power- weight ratio obtained, while the gearing should result in a very considerable gain in propeller efficiency. So that altogether Great Britain may be regarded as being in a better position to win the race than she has been for several years ; in fact ever since Capt. Biard brought the Schneider Trophy to England on his Supermarine flying boat with Napier " Lion " engine. That the Italians have not been idle either is a foregone conclusion. The Macchi company accom- plished the incredible last year by increasing, in one bound so to speak, the speed of their machine from something like 160 m.p.h. to 246-5 m.p.h. B m Home Defence Observer Corps A SERIES of exercises commenced on September 19 by the Observer Corps as part of the Home Defence Scheme, in conjunction with four squadrons of fighters and three squadrons of Ixunbers. These exorcises, which conclude on September 23, will be the culminating point of the year's training for the ground observers. The Observers' Corps was established in 1924, starting on a small scale, and is organised on an entirely voluntary basis. The observers, who are sometimes described as special constables, are en- rolled in the counties and boroughs to which the scheme applies. The corps has been gradually expanded and now. so far as personnel and general organisation are concerned, is complete in the counties of Essex, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. Each group is organised into a network of observa- tion posts to report the movements of enemy aircraft over their respective sectors. The organisation is also being developed in other counties. The work of these volunteers is regarded by the authorities as vital to the Home Defence Scheme. The duties of the volunteers calls for continual and unpaid service when the exigencies of the service require SEPTEMBER 22, 1&2? around the Schneider course. A firm which was capable of doing that is not likely to have sat down and twiddled its thumbs, and from such scant infor- mation as has reached this country it would appear that the 1927 Macchi racer, type M.52, is a con- siderable improvement on last year's machine. It seems likely, however, that by far the greatest improvement will be found to have been effected in the Fiat engine, this year's model of which is rumoured to develop rather more than 1,000 li.p., with no increase in weight or frontal area. Should that be the case, it is obvious that the Italian defen- ders will be in a position to put up a formidable light, and whoever wins the race will evidently be very hard put to it to do so. A great deal will depend, apart from the qualities of engines, machines and pilots, on the organisation of the actual race, and in this respect it is known that Great Britain has gone into detail to an extent never hitherto attempted. For instance, some of the British engines are geared, while others are ungeared, and it is said that the machines fitted with the geared engines are slightly faster, owing, pre- sumably, to better propeller efficiency, or possibly to the geared engines being run at higher speeds, developing more power, but giving about the same propeller efficiency. On the other hand, the reduction gear introduces a certain small amount oi compli- cation, and it is conceivable that the tactics of the British team will be to put two geared engine machines and one ungeared in the race, on the assumption that if all goes well with the geared engines, these two machines will have the requisite speed, while the direct drive machine will be flown throttled down to some extent and will thus be able to open out during the race, should one or both of the faster machines meet with misfortune. It will be seen that team work will count for a very great deal, and it speaks well for the thorough sportsmanship of the British service pilots that they are one and all willing to subordinate personal interests and inclinations to considerations of the success of the team. In other words, the spirit in which the British pilots are tackling the race is that so long as a British machine wins the race, it is immaterial which pilot proves the victor, and in that spirit lies a tremendous strength. The result of the race for the Schneider Trophy cannot possibly be foretold. Personally we arc optimistic of a British success, but we hope the race will be a hard one, and " may the best man win."a a it. During the recent Air Exercises, when London was sub- mitted to a series of sham air attacks for five days, the work of the observers was highly praised by the authorities of Air Defences of Great Britain. In the present exercises the groups took part by rotation for the first four days, but on Friday there will be a grand finale with all groups on duty, and all the seven air squadrons engaged. The work of tin observers will be strenuous during tomorrow's operations, and we trust that the weather will not make it too un- pleasant. German Officers and Aircraft Banned TfiK use of ;i large Junkers' passenger machine for niakn , passenger and propaganda flights between Mainz and \\ i< baden over occupied territory has been forbidden by the int< Allied Khineland High Commission. Some German oflirt who wished to attend the meeting of the Aeronautical Scii' tific Society at Wiesbaden, commencing September 16, h;i also been forbidden entrance to occupied territory. P" Junkers intended to fly by seaplane to Mainz, but v refused permission. 660
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