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Aviation History
1933
1933 - 0881.PDF
FLIGHT, OCTOBER 26, 1933 many snags set by rules and regulations, which appear to make successful construction in South Africa almost a crime. Mr. Erasmus states definitely that, given sympa thetic support from the Union Government, he is willing to erect the first South African aeroplane factory. He neither asks for, nor requires, financial support from them. (Mr. Erasmus may take comfort from the fact that most of the leading aeroplane constructors in Great Britain have also felt like he does at some time or other. They have, however, persevered and are reaping their reward. Rome was not built in a day. The greater the difficulty, the greater the glory.—ED.) " A. D. B. s ss s THE FARMAN 390 A Cabin Machine for Pilot and Three Passengers FARMAN BROS, have recently produced a new Cabin Monoplane, called the Farman 390. It has been designed to incorporate the improvements derived from the experience gained by the Farman 190, and to furnish the maximum comfort for tourist flying. It is a high-wing monoplane capable of carrying three passengers. The fuselage is constructed of wood covered with plywood. The cabin is 7 ft. 9 in. in length, 3 ft. 4 in. in width, and 4 ft. 9 in. high ; it is fitted with a sky light and a large lateral sliding window on each side. One of the passengers* sits beside the pilot on a swivel seat and the other two behind, side by side. The walls of the cabin are lined with a specially prepared light rubber material, of about an inch in thickness, which deadens the noise of the engine and allows the passengers to converse without inconvenience. The cabin is also cooled by a series of intakes leading from the wings, and can be warmed in cold weather by pipes heated from the exhaust. The wings are constructed ol wood and covered with fabric. They are joined on each side to a centre section, which forms part of the roof of the cabin, and they are braced in addition by oblique struts, two on either side, attached to the lower part of the fuselage. These struts are constructed of duralumin and encased in a streamlined covering of wood. The fuel tanks, of a capacity of 30 gall., are installed in the wings. The undercarriage is of semi- cantilever construction composed of duralumin struts, also acased in streamlined coverings and fastened to the wing struts and the fuselage. It has a track of 9 ft. 9 in., ami is fitted with Farman oleo-pneumatic shock absorbers. e wheels, which are covered with fairings, are equipped i brakes and low-pressure balloon tyres. The 390 has been designed so that it can be equipped with either the new Farman 150-h.p. seven-cylinder engine, or the 220-h.p. nine-cylinder. The valves and rocker arms of these engines are covered with hoods which prevent the oil spray being thrown against the cabin windows or the pilot's windscreen. A four-bladed pro peller fitted to a reduction gear (ratio 2-1) has been found to give the highest efficiency. The petrol consumption of the machine, when fitted with either of these two engines, is about 12 gall, to the mile. Length Wing spread . . Height Wing surface Weight (empty) Weight (loaded) 32 ft. 6 in. 45 ft. 10 in. 9 ft. 9 in. 422 sq. ft. 5 sq. 2,200 lb. 3,520 lb. Performance. 150 h.p. engine.; 220 h.p. engine. Maximum speed Cruising speed Landing speed Flight radius m.p.h. 109 92 31 750 ml. m.p.h. 125 109 31 (The 220 h.p. engine weighs 132 lb. more than the 150 h.p. engine.) R. C. W. ' Safety Last" AN interesting difference in the point of view of the Americans and the English, and one which accounts for difference in the. way in which the transport aero-s °f the two countries have developed, was given (" he other day. A well-known American pilot, who has 1 considerable experience of transport work, said that ms country it was impossible to sell safety. People would willingly pay more if there was the possibility of '• being able to boast afterwards that they had done journey in a few minutes less than their friends. That » why American operators do not mind sacrificing many PC'imds of pay-load if, by doing so, they can secure a 1 if more speed. Over here it is different. People who ravel by air set a higher value on comfort and safety they do on speed, and although the service must, of th-it* be faster tnan anY other form of transport, yet satv, tor undoubtedly takes second place to those of ' and comfort. The result has been Imperial Air ways' policy of providing aeroplanes with a larger pay- load than that of foreign aeroplanes, and also with much greater comfort. No one who has flown in the cabin of one of their H.P. 42-seaters, a cabin which is quieter than the coach of the ordinary express train, can deny that it is the most comfortable way of travelling, and one which is gaining new adherents by the hundred every week. Strengthening Singapore THE reason why No. 100 (Bomber) Squadron was not available to take part in the recent coast defence exercises is that the squadron was under orders to sail for Singapore, and its " Vildebeestes " were being packed up. At present the air units at Singapore are No. 205 (Flying Boat) Squad ron (" Southamptons ") and No. 36 (Torpedo-Bomber) Squadron (" Horsleys "). No. 100 B.S. is actually a tor pedo-dropping unit, though it has not yet been granted the name of a T.B. squadron. Perhaps this distinction will follow its transfer to the Far East Command. 1079
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