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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0868.PDF
FLIGHT, AUGUST 26, 1932 A GOOD TRY : One of the Heinkel (Argus) monoplanes, piloted by von Massenbach, breaks the tape in a take-off test. number of Gipsy III engines is being used in this year's contest. Miss Spooner had one fitted in her Breda-33 and has performed excellently with it, especially in the landing and starting tests over the 8-m. obstacle. The Polish PZL low-wing monoplanes are likewise equipped with Gipsy III engines, which are also found on the Czecho-Slovakian Praga B.-H. Ill low-wing monoplanes, on a French Farman, a German Heinkel, the two Swiss entries (a shoulder-wing Comte monoplane and a new " Klemm "). The two Polish RWD-6 shoulder-wing cabin planes have Genet-Major engines with Townend rings. On the whole, the competing planes are more or less all fitted with engines of at least comparable power output, so that the results of this competition will be influenced more extensively than usual by the qualities of the machines and pilots. Only the French planes are some what low-powered. The Guerchais has a 100-h.p. Renault ; the two exceedingly attractive Potez have six-cylinder radial Potez engines (with Stromberg carburetters) of 100 h.p. output. The Caudron biplane alone has an engine comparable with that of the Italian, Polish and German competitors. It has a seven-cylinder radial Salm- son of 135 h.p. output. The Farmans of Arnoux and Puget have 95-h.p. Salmson engines. Nicolle's small Mauboussin, the only second-category competitor, has only a 40-h.p. Salmson engine. Turning to other technical features one finds that metal variable pitch propellers are being used practically by all competitors. Interesting also is the extensive use made of wing flaps between the ailerons and fuselages. This is a beneficial result of the regulation which provides special points in the equipment rating for the provision of devices preventing stalling and which requires the machines to have a low landing speed coupled with a fast touring speed. The various slot arrangements adopted in some cases together with these flaps have achieved remarkable successes. Machines travelling normally at far over 200 kilometres per hour have actually travelled between 60 and 70 kilometres per hour without losing altitude during the slow flying test! Notable is also the extensive use of Palmer wheels and brakes. Also the tailplane surfaces are in almost all machines adjustable from the pilot's seat during flight. In some cases not only these but also the rudder fins are so adjustable, while in the new Klemms the ailerons are adjustable together with the slow-speed wing flaps, so continuity of smface between these is ensured in whatever position the wing flaps are locked. The equipment rating was the first to be carried through. Since it provides for no less than 107 points out of a total of 500, this rating is a very important item and, indeed, it has marred the chances of a large number of com petitors, who doubtless thought they would come off much better than they did. The International Committee had a •very difficult task in arriving at correct verdicts, as will easily be understood by a consideration of the items for which points had to be awarded: — (1) Visibility from pilot's seat ... ... up to 13 points. Visibility from observer's seat ... up to 5 ,, (If cabin can be opened during flight visibility is tested both in closed and open condition.) (2) Safety devices for flying: (a) New devices for preventing stalling (such as slotted ailerons, etc.) and especially means for altering the glid ing angle ... (b) Heavy oil engine (3) Means for altering the trim of the machine other than by means of shifting weights: During flight On ground (4) Good arrangement of instruments (5) Metal fuselage (fuselage frame) (6) General comfort (perpendicularly and hori zontally adjustable seats, adjustable con trol sticks, arm rests, upholstered seat backs, easy reach of all controls, etc.) ... (7) Cabin for the whole crew ... (8) Escape means (provision for easily leaving the machine in an emergency) ... (9) Seats side by side ... (10) Third comfortable seat, which need not be occupied during the contest (11) Fire prevention devices other than those specified as normal requirement (fully automatic extinguishers, reliable fire indi cators, etc.) (12) Landing gear (divided axle, hydraulic springs) (13) Wheel brakes (14) Double controls (one set lockable from pilot's seat) 10 10 12 8 5 5 Total ... 107 points. SWITZERLAND, TOO : A Klemm (Gipsy III) piloted by Fretz gets good marks in the take-off, without turning helicopter. 804
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