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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 0028.PDF
FLIGHT, JANUARY 9. 1931 high backs and luxurious -boxspring cushions, yet light in weight. The cabin has unusually largewindows of non-shatterable glass, which give the passengers excellentvision. The walls are upholstered in leather up to the window, andline and cloth above. Trimmings are in walnut, and a carpet coversthe floor. Ventilation and steam heatingare provided. The walls are in- sulated against cold and noise bya special material installed between the upholstery and outer covering.The windows are fitted with sills roller shades. Drinking water ispart of the equipment. In fact, everything has been done to givethe passenger the atmosphere and comfort of a Pullman car. For maximum strength withlight weight, the greater part of the " Kingbird's " structure is built ofaluminium alloy, heat-treated steel being used for the more heavilystressed members. The wing spans are dural tubes in the inner panelsand welded steel tube trusses in the outer panels. Wing ribs arebuilt up of dural tubes, riveted together. The fuselage skeleton is con-structed of dural tubes riveted into dural or steel fittings at the junctionpoints. The tail surface skeletons are made up of spars and ribs stamped from sheets ofalclad, the aluminium alloy material which resists corrosion. A vertical tin and rudder is placed in the slip stream ofeach propeller, giving directional stability and control under all conditions. The landing gear is designed to give very smooth landingand taxying characteristics. A rubber-tyred tail wheel is provided, and powerful oleo-and-spring shock absorbers areinstalled both on the main landing gear and on the tail wheel. Bendix brakes are used.The wings, fuselage and tail surfaces are covered with highest quality fabric. The engine nacelles are covered withremovable dural cowling, giving easy accessibility to all parts of the power plant installation. As in the case with all Curtiss ships, the strength of everydetail of the structure has been most carefully checked by stress analysis supplemented by static tests.The " Kingbird " is completely equipped for night flying, having landing lights retractable into the fuselage cowling, An internal view of the cabin of the Curtiss "Kingbird." There are sixcomfortably-upholstered chairs, three a side with a gangway in between. navigating lights, instrument board lights and dome lightsin the cabin. The comfortable reclining chairs protect the passengers against fatigue on this type of service.The important control system has been given most careful consideration. A side-by-side dual system is used, therudders being actuated by pedals and the ailerons and elevators by a single flop-type wheel, which is always entirelyclear of the front seat not being used by the pilot at the controls. The elevators are worked by push-rods, the ruddci>by cables, and the ailerons by cables running up to the wing.* and connecting there with push-rods. The ailerons andrudders are balanced aerodynamically so as to give light loads on the controls. We understand that the " Kingbird " can be fitted withthe Wright J-6 nine-cylinder engines (375 h.p.), with a result- ing increased performance. For instance, the maximumspeed is increased to 160 m.p.h. and the climb to 1,600 ft. per minute. The service ceiling in this case is 21,000 ftand the absolute ceiling 22,500 ft. SPAN 54-6" LENGTH 34'-9' WING AREA 4OS SQ.Pr. CURTISS KINGBIRD" 2-225hp. WRIGHT WHIRLWIND ENGINES THE CURTISS "KINGBIRD": General arrangement drawings to scale. 30
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