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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0466.PDF
' FLIGHT, MAY 20, 1932 compare one with the other and to discover the good and bad points of all. This was undoubtedly a very wise policy, even if subsequent events have proved that there is not a very great deal to choose between at any rate several of the types of construction. Duralumin and steel are the two materials most extensively used, and it may be admitted that but for the Air Council's policy we should not have had many of the new steels which are now available. In many ways, therefore, the transition to all-metal construction has been very beneficial. There are certain directions, however, in which the universal adoption of metal construction has not been altogether to the good. The all-metal idea has by now so penetrated the general conception of aircraft construction that it is no exaggeration to say that a wooden aircraft is looked upon with a good deal of pity and contempt. Yet if one asks one of the worshippers of the all-metal fetish why he is such a staunch believer in metal, more often than not he cannot give any very convincing reply. The fact of the matter is that all-metal construction has become a " fashion," just as the cantilever mono plane is becoming a fashion. The original reason has been forgotten, but the idea persists. Where military aircraft are concerned, we are not advocating a return to wood or " mixed " construc tion. The reasons which led to the adoption of all- metal construction were weighty and well considered. The change-over has been effected, and a reversal would be a retrograde step which no one would wish to see. But the effects on civil aircraft have been somewhat unfavourable, particularly in the light aeroplane class. All-metal construction having become universal in Service types, the idea has gained ground that it must be " better " for small aeroplanes also. The fact that the change-over was dictated by reasons of supply rather than by tech nical (or structural) considerations has been lost sight of. There is no difficulty in obtaining sufficient sup plies of timber of the right grade tor all our peace time needs. The original reason for going over to metal is, therefore, not operative where private air craft are concerned. From a structural point of view there is much to be said for the old " stick and string " type of construction. In every instance which has come to our notice, the metallised version of a wooden aeroplane has proved heavier and more expensive than its prototype. What this has meant is not always easy to assess. But we have before us one concrete example in which the " retrograde " step of reverting to wood has made possible a machine which would otherwise have been impossible of achievement. We refer to the De Havilland " Fox Moth." That machine has a ratio of gross weight to tare weight of 1-9, or, in other words, it carries nearly the equivalent of its own weight as disposable load. It is able to carry pilot and three passengers with an inverted " Gipsy III " engine of 120 h.p. only, the power expenditure being the remarkably low figure of 30 h.p. for each occu pant. In other words, by reverting to the old- fashioned wood construction it has been possible to produce an aircraft which marks a real step forward in economical flying. We do not know what the same aeroplane would have cost in metal construc tion, but we are quite certain it would be a good deal more than the wooden machine is being marketed for. That, however, is of little importance in comparison with the fact that the machine would have been impossible of achievement in metal con struction. The extra weight might well have been such that but two passengers could have been carried, so that in this particular case being " old-fashioned " has resulted in an increase of 50 per cent, in pay load. For large aircraft to be flown on regular air routes the same arguments do not necessarily hold good. On British Empire routes they have to withstand changes in climate which might tax the wood con struction severely. The same may be said of light aeroplanes intended for use in certain parts of the world. But we believe that the objections to wood construction have not always been based on very sound reasons. For aircraft up to some 3,000 lb. gross weight or possibly more, the mixed construc tion is likely to score in the matter of low weight, mainly because metal has to be of heavier gauge than that required by structural considerations if absurdly thin sections are to be avoided. Yet another advantage of wood construction is that during the development of a new type changes are more readily made, while in subsequent use repairs can often be carried out with little trouble by almost anyone able to use a hammer, chisel and screwdriver. When the time comes to turn out light aeroplanes at the rate of thousands a week, and it becomes possible to use heavy hydraulic presses for real mass production, metal construction will come into its own. But until then, do not let us get into the habit of accepting unquestioningly the doctrine that if all- metal construction is good for Service aircraft it is good for all aircraft. And, above all, do not let us sneer at the wooden or mixed light aeroplane as something inferior, something cheap and nasty. It is not, and those who think it is are merely display ing their own lack of appreciation of the true facts. •> • • • The whole civilised world has read with horror the latest developments in the sad case of the kidnapping of Col. Lindbergh's baby son. While it seemed a question of money extortion only it was bad enough in all conscience. But when not only • TJ^f , the little child was murdered, but Tragedy miserable wretches plead guilty of having perpetrated cruel hoaxes on the distracted parents, Col. Lindbergh and his wife may well feel that they can trust no one, and that the world has turned against them. In their hour of grief we should like them to know that the British aviation community, and, indeed, the whole British nation, is filled with the very deepest sympathy for them in their bereavement. Col. Lindbergh has for years been America's idol. His recent terrible mis fortune and the manly way in which he has faced it has brought him the heartfelt sympathy of every Briton. 4o4
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