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Aviation History
1929
1929 - 0511.PDF
FLIGHT, MARCH 14. J929 NEW ARMSTRONG-WHITWORTH "ARGOSIES" Many Improvements in 1929 Types FOR use on the first stage of the new England-Indiaair route which is to come into operation this spring,Armstrong-Whitworth " Argosies " of improved design are being produced, and are now nearing completion at the Whitley works. We are able to give this week photographs of some of the new features of these machines. A very interesting innovation is the use of servo-rudders for the lateral controls. The angle of the servo-rudder can be varied by the pilot, and in spite of small forces on the control stick considerable forces may be exerted on the ailerons. Hitherto servo-rudders have been used mainly in connection with the main rudders of an aircraft, and the application of this principle to ailerons is distinctly interesting. The use of geared " Jaguar " engines on the new " Argosies " should result in a considerable improvement. This will be particularly noticeable in the case of the take-off, where the extra propeller efficiency of the slower-running airscrews should shorten the run to take off considerably, or alter- natively enable the machine to take off with a greater load. The economy at cruising speed will probably also be better, and as it seems likely that the new cowling, with which experi- ments have been carried out with considerable success, will be fitted on the " Argosies," the overall efficiency of the machine should improve to an extent which appeared out- side the sphere of practical realisation but a few years ago. In fact, it is to be expected that the new " Argosies " will come much nearer to " paying their way " than has any three-engined machine of the same power. As the " Jaguar " is reliable in service, the new machines should combine in a remarkable degree the freedom from forced landings, coupled with good operational economy. The mounting of the outboard " Jaguar " in the new machines will differ from that previously used, and one of the photographs shows the framework of the mounting. The skeleton of the former indicates that the cowling behind the engine is to be very complete, and used in conjunction with the " ring " should reduce the drag of the outboard engines a great deal. The mounting of the fuselage engine is shown in another photograph. The tubular framework will carry a fireproof bulkhead and a quickly-detachable engine mount- ing. The petrol capacity of the new " Argosies " will be increased to 360 gallons, the fuel being carried in two tanks (one of which is shown in a photograph) of 180 gallons capacity each, slung under the top plane. A petrol gauge will be fitted in the front of each tank so that the pilot can see at any time how much petrol is left. The capacity is estimated to be sufficient for a range of 500 miles. The wide-track undercarriage unit is also shown in a photo- graph. The wheels and tyres are made by the Dunlop Com- pany, and springing is by oil-damped buffers. DETAILS OF THE NEW "ARGOSIES " : The landing gear unit is shown in 1, and the mounting for one of the wing engines in 2. One of the large petrol tanks is shown in 3 (inverted). The capacity is 180 gallons. THE COACH MAKERS AND COACH HARVESS MAKERS DINE THE Livery Dinner of the Worshipful Company of CoachMakers and Coach Harness Makers took place onMarch 6. Mr. W. J. McCormack, the Master, presided. Now that this Company has extended its ancient rights and privileges to those who may be entitled to them, connected with the motor and aeronautical industries, its doings are becoming of great importance and interest to these two great arts. The guests numbered many representatives of both, and the Lord Mayor of London (Sir J. E. Kynaston Studd) responding to the civic toast given by Sir Edward Manville, the Upper Warden, said, in the course of an interesting and witty speech, that to dine with the Company of Coach and Coach Harness Makers' was ever pleasurable. The Guild was of ancient origin and its trade still existed in spite of the drastic changes in locomotion. State coaches were, however, not used as of yore. The King and Queen still went in a State coach for the opening of Parliament, and the Lord Mayor occupied that capacious vehicle irreverently called " The Gingerbread Coach " on November 9, when he drove to the Guildhall to be sworn in. Speaking of the history of that coach, the Lord Mayor said that he was told by his coachman that it was built in 1757, and weighed 3 tons 17 cwt. It was so beautifully proportioned that a man 6 ft. high, wearing a bowler hat, could stand inside without touching the top. No lady had ever travelled in it. The panels, which were of great beauty, were painted by Cypriani, and were detachable and (although his great secretary. Sir William Soulsby, would not have it so) they were insured for ^16,000. Lord Colwyn submitted the toast of " The Company," with a speech marked by very humorous stories, and the Master, in responding, said that during its many centuries of history, the Company had justified its existence in a most important and interesting way ; but that day it was serving a more useful purpose than ever before by placing itself at the service of youthful kindred associations controlling both land and air transport. Mr. W. Lawton-Goodman, the Renter Warden, proposed " The Guests," and remarked that the Coachmakers had kept pace with the wheels of progress and followed the evolution of locomotion and transport. He believed that in the next generation the motor car manufacturers would give place to aircraft builders. Indeed, they welcomed that evening among their guests several constructors of air- craft. Other speakers were Mr. Sydney Guy, Vice-President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and Mr. E. C. Gordon England, President of the Motor Agents' Association. Among those present were :—The Marquis of Cambridge, Sir George Baharrell, Maj.-Gen. Adrian Carton de Wiart, Sir Charles Nicholson, Sir Herbert Austin, Mr. C. A. Mercer, Mr. F. Handley-Page, Mr. E. H. Siddeley, Col. Mervyn O'Gorman, Sir William Letts, Mr. Henry Smith, Sir Charles Morton, Wing-Comdr. F. C. V. Laws, Sir Walter Schroder, Sir Alexander Houston, Mr. Stanley Spooner, Lieut.-Col. A. F. Mulliner, Maj. W. P. Wilton, Mr. Percy Preston, Mr. E. C. M. Burrell, Mr. Ernest Peachell. Mr. D. ~H. Bfe^ Rolfe and Commander H. Perrin. 205
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