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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 1154.PDF
FLIGHT, NOVEMBER 17, 1932 S.S.19 engine: when fitted with the Bristol Jupiter VII.F Speed at: Ground level 10,000 ft. (3 050 m.) 15,000 ft. (4 570 m.) 20,000 ft. (6 100 m.) Climb to: 5,000 ft. (1 525 m.) 15,000 ft. (4 570 m.) 20,000 ft. (6 100 m.) Service Ceiling 175 m.p.h. (282 km..'h.) 20» m.p.h. (337 km. h.) 207 m.p.h. (333 km.'h.) 185 m.p.h. (238 km. h.) 3 min. 40 sec. 10 min. 0 sec. 13 rain. 54 sec. 30,000 ft. (9 150 m.) Handley Page, Limited Cricklewood, London, N.W.2 COR a great number of years the name of Handley Page has been associated in the public mind at home and abroad with two things: Large aircraft and slots. The first large Handley Page machine made its appearance during the war, and was known as the type 0/400. Since those early days the Handley Page firm has rather made a speciality of large aircraft, of which considerable numbers and many types have been in service, commercial as well as military' aircraft. Space does not permit of referring here to more than one representative of each class. H.P. 42 (p. 1079) When Imperial Airways, Ltd., made the decision to concentrate on large aircraft as the most economical type to operate, and the type which promised the greatest degree of comfort for the passengers, Handley Page, Ltd., were awarded the order. The design was for a large four- engined biplane, and showed considerable originality, not only in the aerodynamic layout but in the structural methods adopted. The first order was for eight machines, and it was a bold step for all concerned to embark upon such an ambitious scheme with an as yet untried design. However, the work went forward, and, apart from certain " teething troubles " with the first machine, the " Han nibal," the H.P. 42 class proved a success, and is now one of the most popular types of civil aircraft in Europe. Several forms of construction are used in the H.P. 42. The forward and middle portion of the fuselage is a metal- covered structure, while the rear portion is of tubular construction. The wings have Duralumin spars with stainless steel fittings, and are fabric covered. The pilots' cabin is in the extreme nose of the fuselage, whence the view is quite exceptionally good. The cabin is divided into two compartments, and has seating accommodation for 38 or 18 passengers, according to whether the machine is of the " Western " or " Eastern " type. The former is used in Europe, the latter between Egypt and Karachi. All who have travelled in the H.P. 42 class of aeroplane are unanimous that the. comfort, and particularly the absence of noise, is far greater than has been achieved before in a similar type of machine. The two cabins are so arranged, with a space between them, that no passenger is in line with the propellers. This has helped materially in reducing noise, as has also, of course, the actual dimen sions of the machine, which remove the engines a con siderable distance from the cabins. The power plant of the H.P. 42 consists of four Bristol Jupiters, of which two are placed close together in the centre of the top plane, while the other two are placed fairly far outboard on the lower wing. Some idea of the size of the H.P. 42 can be formed from the following data: — Length o.a. .. 89 ft. 9 in. (27,36 m.) Wine span (upper) 130 ft. (39,62 m.) Wing area .. 3,000 sq. ft. (279 m!.) Gross weight (" Western ") 29,500 lb. (13 400 kg.) Pav load (" Western ") 8,500 lb. (3 860 kg.) Gross weight (" Eastern ") 28,000 1b. (12 800 kg.) Pav load (" Eastern ") 7,000 lb. (3 180 kg.) Max speed (" Western ") 127 m.p.h. (205 km./h.) Cruising speed f" Western") 100 m.p.h. (161 km./h.) Max. speed (" Eastern") 120 m.p.h. (191 Um./h.) Cruising spefd (" Eastern") 100 m.p.h. (161 km. h.) The " Western " type has Jupiter X.F. BM engines and the " Eastern " Jupiter XI F. H.P. 38 (p. 1079) The latest Handley Page night bomber is the H.P. 38 " Heyford," which is of unusual design in that the fuselage and engines (Rolls-Royce Kestrels) are placed imme diately under the top plane. A very good view and field of fire is thereby ensured for the crew. There are three gun positions: one in the extreme nose, one in a retract able and rotating turret under the fuselage, and one imme diately above the turret. Following are the only data which it is permissible to publish : — Length o.a. . Span .. Wing area Gross weight 58 ft. (17,68 m.) 75 ft. (22,86 m.) 1,470 sq. ft. (136.5 uv 15,500 lb, (7 037 kg.) H.P. Slots The popularity of Handley Page automatic wing-tip slots is growing rapidly. In the International Touring Competi tion automatic lift slots were used with excellent results, enabling several aircraft to achieve speed ranges of the order of 4:1. The development of the slots may now be said to have outstripped that of the aircraft using them, and the next step must be a better undercarriage or the adoption of variable angle of incidence to enable aircraft to use the high lift given at large angles. The H. G. Hawker Engineering Co., Ltd. Kingston-on-Thames r\URING the war period the name Sopwith became a household word. Sopwith machines in enormous numbers, and covering a great variety of types, were in use in many theatres of war. After the war the old Sopwith firm ceased to exist, and out of it grew the present H. G. Hawker Engineering Co., Ltd., which, under the joint managing directorship of Mr. T. O. M. Sopwith and F. Sigrist, has worthily upheld the splendid traditions of the old Sopwith Company. During the last two or three years Hawker machines have been adopted very extensively by the British Royal Air Force, while not inconsiderable numbers have been sold abroad. The present greatness of the firm may be said to have started with the " Fury," a single-seater interceptor fighter, which in turn was made possible by the introduction of the Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine. The combination was one which resulted in a quite excep tional performance. The interceptor fighter is, as its name implies, intended to intercept and fight approaching enemy aircraft, and for this purpose the greatest possible rate of climb is required in order to get to the raider's altitude in the shortest possible time. When that altitude has been reached, the interceptor fighter must have sufficient speed and manoeuvrability to be able to tackle the raider effectively. These qualities of climb and speed at height are achieved to a remarkable degree in the " Fury." The next type to be produced by the Hawker firm was THE HAWKER FURY " : A single-seater interceptor fighter with Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine. (FLIGHT Photo.) 1076
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