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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 1176.PDF
FLIGHT, NOVEMBER «, 1931 THE;/'VILDEBEEST" IN FLIGHT: The shape of the float.bottoms, steps, etc., may be seen in this photograph. guns freely. A prone bombing position in the fuselageenables the bombing ofiicer to sight in comfort. There is telephonic communication between him and the pilot, and,if desired, the bomber can operate the rudder bar. The " Vildebeest " can be used either as a two-seater or as athree-seater. In spite of the heavy load carried, the land- ing speed is low. The " Vildebecst " is identical in its landplane andfloatplane forms, except for the undercarriage, and the following notes may, therefore, be taken to refer to bothexcept where otherwise indicated. Structurally, the " Vildebeest " is mainly of duraluminconstruction, except for a few items of mild-steel tubes. The covering of fuselage and wings is fabric. Vickers(Aviation), Ltd., have evolved forms of duralumin con- struction, in which all rivet heads are visible and easilyaccessible, and the structure of both fuselage and wings is so designed that repairs can be readily made without dis-turbing the rest of the structure. For example, the wing structure has been so planned that in case of damage asingle rib can be replaced without dismantling the wing. All duralumin surfaces and parts are, needless to say,treated against corrosion by the anodic process, and are further protected by being afterwards sprayed with a cellu-lose paint. In the seaplane version of the " Vildebeest " the duralu-min floats have a buoyancy 83 per cent, in excess of the total all-up flying weight of the machine. Each float isdivided by bulkheads into seven watertight compartments. The floats are lifted with water rudders, so that when themachine is being taxied on the water the pilot has full control even at speeds so low that the air rudder wouldbe ineffective. The accommodation for crew is in open cockpits, withthe pilot in front. An adjustable seat is provided. The machine is bonded for wireless, and also wired for navi-gation lights. In the particular machine shown in the photographs, theengine is a geared Hispano-Suiza type Lbr., which de- velops 595 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m. at sea-level density.Other types of engine can be installed, and the machine has already been flown successfully with Bristol" Jupiters," types IX.F. and X.F.BM. The two main petrol tanks are housed in the top wing,and give direct gravity feed. Each has a capacity of 62 gallons, or a total of 124 gallons. If the machine iswanted for longer ranges, an extra tank of 60 gallons capa- city can be installed, and used in conjunction with theVickers petrol pump. A Vickers-Potts oil cooler is provided. Handley Page wing-tip slots are fitted, and the " Vilde-beest " is reported to be very easy to fly, and to be con- trollable at the stall, while it can easily be sideslipped, andis stable in that manoeuvre. In the table of data the figures refer to the seaplaneversion. In the tare weight figures are included the fol- lowing equipment: Instruments, air-pressure enginestarter, Handley Page slots, and Stub exhaust pipes. The armament consists of pilot's and observer's guns,with 500 rounds of ammunition for each, and the bomb load may consist in two bombs of 200 kg. each and fourof 12.5 kg., or four bombs of 100 kg. each and four of 12.5 kg., or eight bombs of 50 kg. each, plus four of12.5 kg. When used as a torpedoplane the " Vildebeest " is, ofcourse, equipped with the necessary carrier and release gear, Vickers-Armstrongs torpedo sight, and a 45-cm.Whitehead torpedo. VICKERS "VILDEBEEST" SEAPLANE Hispano Length (overall) . . Wing Span Height (overall)Wing Area Aerofoil Section .. TareDisposable Gross Wing Loading . . Power Loading Max. speed At 1 000 m.At 2 000 m. At 3 000 m. •Suiza 12 ]Lbr. Engine Dimensions. Weights ft. in. m.40 49 16 728 sqR.A.F Bomber. lb. . 5,100. 2,652 . 7,752lb./sq. ft. . 10-6 lb./h.p.. 13-0 Speed. m.p.h.. 134-5 . 132. 128 . 122 Cruising speed at 2,000 m.Landing speed .. Time To 3,280 ft. (1 000 m.) .To 6,560 ft. (2 000 m.) . To 9,840 ft. (3 000 m.) . Initial Climb Absolute Ceiling . Ill56 kg-2 320 1 205 3 525kg./m* 57,8 kg./C.V5,92 km./h.217 212 206 196 179 90 of Climb Minnies). 4 10 20 ft./min. . 800ft. . 15,200 Endurance at Cruising Speed Military Load .. •5 •7 •0 m./sec. 4,6 m. 4 640 5 • 3 hours lb. . 1,280 kg-582 0 12,20 0 14,93 3 4,96. ft. (61,9 m*). . 15. Torpedoplane. lb. kg.5,100 2 320 4,000 1 820 9,100 4 140lb./sq. ft. kg./m' 12-5 66,9 . lb./h.p. kg./CA15-3 6,97 m.p.h. km./h.132-5 213 127-5 205120 193 101 163 106 17161-5 99 6-5 17-0 43-0 ft./min. m./sec. 600 3,5ft. m. 11,000 3 350 5 • 3 hours lb. kg. 2,628 1 194 The endurance shown is with normal fuel load of 124 gallons (565 litres). An auxiliary tank holds 60 gallons (272 litres). The military load shown is exclusive of the weight of crew and fuel. The High-Speed Flight POSTINGS of some members of the late High-SpeedFlight are notified in the Roval Air Force intelligence this week. Fit. Lts. F. W. Long and W. F. Dry go to Felix-stowe. We had understood that Fit. Lt. Long was under orders for Aden. Fit. Lt. Boothman, A.F.C., goes toMartlesham, and Fit. Lt. Stainforth, A.F.C., goes to South Farnborough. F/O's. Snaith and Tomkins go to Felix -siowe. Sqd. Ldr. Orlebar and Fit. Lt. E. J. Linton Hope have not yet been posted. 1098 Air Spying Tests .THE French have just carried out tests of their organi- sation for preventing spy aeroplanes from photographingforbidden zones. Observation posts are manned, and i- a suspicious machine appears they warn the nearest aero-drome to send up a machine in pursuit. Last weeU a machine was sent up to take as many photographs aspossible and to try to avoid the attention of the defence system. The " spy " was completely successful in tak.njthe photographs and in eluding pursuit.
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