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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 0484.PDF
FLIGHT, MAY 22, 1931 CfUdUiXj PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTHSEA Gliding Club.—The•* first annual General Meeting of the Portsmouth and Southsea Gliding Club was held at the Sussex Hotel, Ports-mouth, on May 1. The report showed that since the start of the club's operations, sixteen " A " pilot certificates hadbeen obtained. The storm which swept the south coast last year prac-tically destroyed the club's three training gliders, and cost a very heavy amount for repairs. One complete machinewas, however, assembled from the bits, and the rebuilt fuselage of another will soon enable a second machine tobe in commission. Mr. George Knight has been elected Chairman of theClub ; Councillor Webb, Vice-Chairman ; Mr. Finley Day, Hon. Secretary ; Mr. Yelf, Assistant Hon. Secretary ; Mr.L. Limpany, Ground Engineer ; and Mr. M. L. Puttick, Ground Captain. During the last two Sundays a large number of success-ful glides have been made from the top of the hill, and several members are ready to qualify for their " B "certificates. T HE SAILPLANE CLUB.—Gliding will be carried on bythe Sailplane Club at Smalldole on Whit Monday, as well as Sunday. Those who wish to go down and visit the club shouldapply to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. E. G. Smettem, 2, Wine <J> <$> Office Court, Fleet Street, E.C.4, for a small road map which will enable them to reach the site easily. COUTH ESSEX Aero Club.—Many good flights were *~* made from No. 2 hill during the week-end, despite the somewhat discouraging weather. During the afternoon the wind direction changed, and another hill, which had not previously been used by the club, was tried. From here a still greater number of excellent flights were made. Mr. Hitchcock, one of the club's members, was busy with a cinema camera, and they have found great instruc- tional value from showing pupils films of their flights afterwards, so that they are able to see themselves making various small mistakes. During the whole of the Whitsun holidays flying will be carried on at Langdon Hill, when all visitors will be welcome. A GLIDER EXHIBITION in Scotland.—A temporary ** exhibition illustrating gliding is now open in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh. Percy Pilcher's actual glider, a model of Lilienthal's glider, a model of a modern primary glider, and numerous photographs of gliders and sailplanes are exhibited. There is also a sec- tion of general aeronautical exhibits which illustrate the most important types of machines, engines and methods of construction. AN IMPROVED WESSEX S III 'ME Westland Wessex, which has already been(^ III described in FLIGHT, has now been fitted withIII three 7-cylinder Genet engines instead of the older 5-cylinder type. As one would naturally expect, this has increased theperformance considerably, and the take-off is now admir- able. There is no difficulty at all in turning either waywith one of the wing engines stopped, and she will climb on full load to a ceiling of some 6,000 feet on any twoengines. A further refinement which has recently been added isthe wind screening of the pilot's cockpit. This has been to a certain extent re-designed, and the front panels arenow divided and made to open as well as the side panels, so that a good view is obtainable whatever the state ofthe weather. A recent flight in this machine convinced us of its com-fort, especially of its ease to handle with one engine stopped. This is, of course, largely taken care of by meansof the Westland-Hill patent rudder bias gear, which gives a new rudder setting for such conditions, but does not putany load upon the rudder bar. Flying with one wing engine stopped, therefore, does not become a tiring matter,such as is the case when the rudder bar is directly loaded. We have always considered that dual controls shouldbe fitted to every machine with a cabin accommodation such as the Wessex, but no doubt such would greatly in-crease the cost. The cabin itself is admirably upholstered and the seats comparatively comfortable, although onewould like to suggest that, a little more padding for the small of the back might tend to relieve fatigue on a longjourney. Conversation can be carried on in a reasonable manner, but the fitting of efficient silencers would, ofcourse, make a great deal of difference. The brakes are particularly efficient, and, when taxyingon the ground, it gives one a great sense of confidence to be able to pull up much in the same way as if one were ina motor-car. Balanced ailerons are now fitted as standard, makingthem particularly light and responsive in action. For those who require a medium size three-enginedmachine with a good performance, the Wessex, which is a product of Westland Aircraft Works, Yeovil, should suitthem admirably. Excellent visibility is provided in the cof kP'jof the Westland Wessex, and the front vino screen now opens both in the front Jthe side for use in bad weather. The model, with three 7-cylinder Genethas a fine performance, and a recent n in it with one engine stopped was a revelat a 454
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