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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 1118.PDF
NOVEMBER 29, 1928 THE ALL-METAL LIGHT 'PLANE Canadian Reid " Rambler " THE flying club movement in Canada has spread rapidly during the last year and thereby made some of the most lucrative orders for manufacturers of light aeroplanes. Needless to say, England has had the greatest benefit of this progress and has certainly laid a firm foundation for con- tinued success. Inevitably, though, designers are being attracted to such a promising market, and we see local pro- duction in the light 'plane class heralded by the appearance of the Canadian Reid " Rambler," of which brief reference was made in our columns recently. Even in this local effort, however, an Englishman is the responsible person. The designer, Mr. W. T. Reid, was formerly of the Royal Aircraft Establishment and the Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd. He went to Canada some time ago as designer for Canadian Vickers, Ltd. Now he has formed the Reid Aircraft Company of Montreal, to produce his own design. The primary rate of production will be two a week, and when their plant is extended the rate will increase to seven a week. involves a form of rubber buffer, consisting of a series of rubber discs of approximately streamline shape which become compressed under the shock of landing. Differential hydraulic brakes are standard. Tail skid is of simple design and the shoe is easily removable in the event of wear. A metal propeller is standard. Skiis or twin floats are interchangeable with the land chassis There is a dual control system, and an adjustable spring is fitted to the elevator controls to trim the machine in flight In the gravity feed system is fitted a tank cock so that in flight a quantity of petrol sufficient for half an hour's flight is trapped as an emergency supply. Complete set of instruments is fitted on an indirectly lighted panel of automobile pattern, and there is a luggage compartment behind the rear cockpit. Engine installed is an A.D.C, " Cirrus " Mk. II. Dimensions :—Length of machine when the wings are open is 22 ft. 6 in. and when wings are folded, 24 ft. 6 in. Two views of the all-metal Reid " Rambler " light aeroplane fitted with an A.D.C. " Cirrus " Mk. II engine. It is a new Canadian production and will soon be produced, according to present plans, at the rate of seven per week. One of the machine's foremost features is the all-metal construction. The experience of the manufacturers has apparently proved to them that a wooden machine would not be equal to the climatic conditions. The changes in tempera- ture result in the expansion and contraction of wood. This Reid " Rambler " is a sesquiplane type, the top wing being of considerably greater area than the lower wing, and the usual folding qualities are applied. A very wide view from the two in-line cockpits appears obtainable owing to the small area of the lower wing. Wing spars and ribs are made of a strong aluminium alloy. The ribs, which are one-piece pressings, are riveted to the spars. All internal bracing is tubular, whilst the vee-shaped interplane bracings are of streamline seamless steel tubing— which obviates rigging adjustments. In the top centre plane is the gravity tank, with a capacity of 20 gallons. Seamless steel tubing is also employed in the design of the tail plane, elevators and rudder. The supporting struts for the tail plane from the fuselage are streamline steel. A special type undercarriage, with a wheel track of 6 ft., Span of wings, 33 ft. Width of machine with folded wings lift. 1 in. Height, 8 ft. Weights :—Machine empty weighs 850 lbs. ; petrol (20 galls.) 145 lbs. ; pilot and passenger, 180 lbs. each ; luggage, 80 lbs. Useful load, 600 lbs. Total loaded weight is 1,450 lbs. Performance:—Top speed, 102 m.p.h. ; landing speed, 38m.p.h. Apart from utility for private owners, flying clubs and schools, the Reid " Rambler " has claims for forestry patrol work and transportation work where economical conveyance of single passengers or equivalent weight of freight is required. A certificate of airworthiness, issued by the Director of Civil Aviation, Ottawa, is supplied with every machine. The Reid Aircraft Company is controlled by Capt. W. S. Lighthall (Chairman), Mr. W. T. Reid (President), Major T. C. Lamb, M.C. (Director) Capt. E. F. Peacock (Vice- President) and Capt. C. Barclay Drummond (Director). Mrs. W. T. Reid made the first passenger flight in the " Rambler " last September. "D.H. Gazette" ' ' ; A NOVEMBER issue of the D.H. Gazette has appeared in a new form. The chief change is in size, which has expanded. • There is, however, no sacrifice whatever of the usual excel- -lency of production, the clear bold type, the art paper, and, most of all, the informative, chatty contents. All the major events in the recent history of the de Havilland Company are a feature of the issue, profusely illustrated with live, intimate photographs. The interests of the company are spread so widely throughout the world that its Gazette is much more than a mere works magazine restricted to local items. The Editors can be congratulated on the improvement. Copies can be obtained from the company, 7 id. each, post free. 102.
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