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Aviation History
1929
1929 - 1011.PDF
FLIGHT, MAY 16, 1929 THE VERVILLE "AIR COACH An American Cabin Monoplane «* WE give below a brief description, together with illustra-tions, of a commercial machine produced by theVerville Aircraft Co., of Detroit, Mich., and which was recently flight-tested at the Ford Airport, by William S. Brock. The Verville " Air Coach " as it is called, was designed by >lr. Alfred V. Verville—secretary and chief engineer of the company—who is an aeronautical engineer of some years' and 16-in. in length, project horizontally from the lower longeron in the 'plane of the front spars. To these the forward wing brace struts and chassis oleo struts are attached. By attaching the wing struts in this manner parasite resistance is reduced, as compared with the conventional type of exposed strut bracing now in vogue. The landing gear shock struts are attached at the outer extremity of the stubs, allowing a THE VERVILLE " AIR COACH Front view. Note the method of attaching Oleo struts and frontwing-braces. standing, having been responsible for the design of several successful machines, amongst which may be mentioned the pursuit 'planes V.C.P.-l and P.V.-l, the Verville-Sperry "Messenger," the Verville-Packard racer (1920 Pulitzer winner), the Verville-Sperry (1924 Pulitzer winner), the Buhl " Airster," etc. The " Air Coach " is a 4-seater high-wing " semi-cantilever " monoplane, similar in general appearance to other machines of this type, but possessing several original constructional features. The most important of these is perhaps the fuselage structure, which eliminates the inter-section of fuselage truss tubes intersecting the side windows and so providing a range of vision entirely free from obstructions. Unfor- tunately, details of this fuselage construction (a patent on which has already been applied for) are not at the moment available, but it will be apparent from our illustrations that whatever it is, an exceptionally neat job results. Another unusual feature is in the method of attaching thew 'ing-hrace and chassis struts on the fuselage. Two short streamline sponsons, or stubs, semi-elliptical in plan form, 7-ft. chassis wheel tread. The stubs or fins, as they might becalled, also serve as small compartments 8-in. deep, with hinge doors on their top side. The left compartment willbe used for the lighting battery, and the other for tools ; thereby making possibility of more room in the alreadyspacious cabin. Other items distinctive in the Verville " Air Coach " includea rudder streamlined into the fuselage, and an especially designed selective and service hand brake control, allowingfor easy braking of either wheel alone, or the locking of both wheels. A tail wheel equipped with full caster aerol shocksand built into the fuselage is provided to decrease drag and for simplicity and sturdiness of construction. With his wide experience in the designing of racing andpursuit aircraft, Mr. Verville has succeeded in combining many speed producing characteristics of these types withthe convenience and comfort of the modern automobile sedan. The cabin of the " Air-Coach," in size, lines and appoint-ments, is closely analogous to those of the modern auto body. VERVILLE " AIR COACH '' ; Side view of this American commercial monoplane, fitted with a 110 h.p. Warner engine. 397
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