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Aviation History
1935
1935 - 1612.PDF
722 i-UGHT. JUNE 27, 1935. The " Rota " (140 h.p. " Civet I ") has a number of qualities suiting it to army co-operation requirements. A standard type, which equips the majority of army co-operation squadrons, is the "Kestrel "-engined " Audax " on the right. (Flight photographs.) The Westland "Wallace" is a somewhat larger and heavier machine than the "Hart," and was designed as a "general-purpose" type. It is a development of the well- known " Wapiti," an example of which will be seen in the Headquarters Race. Unlike this latter aircraft, however, it is fitted with a 555 h.p. Bristol " Pegasus IM3 " geared ami moderately supercharged radial. It has a longer fuselage, a redesigned undercarriage, and certain other detailed modifi cations. Bomb load and armament are generally the same as for the " Hart." There are a few " Wallaces " now under going Service tests which have completely sheltered cockpits. The main data are: span, 46ft. sin.; length, 34ft. 2in.; wing area, 488 sq ft. ; and gross weight, 5,7501b. " Wallaces" will be flown by No. 501 Squadron. A development of the well-known Fairey IHF, the "Gordon," a two-seater two-bay biplane general purpose type, uses a 525 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley " Panther IIA" 14-cyl. two-row radial engine which gives it a maximum speed in the neighbourhood of 140 m.p.h. The normal armament for a day bomber is specified, i.e. about soolb. of bombs, one Vickers gun and one Lewis gun, the latter weapon being fitted to a Fairey high-speed gun mounting. When operating over the desert the machine carries the "general-purpose" load, which includes extra fuel tanks, water and rations, spare wheel and medical supplies. In an emergency the machine may be used as an ambulance. With full equipment the " Gordon " weighs 5,9001b. It measures 45ft. 4m. in span, is 33ft. 3m. long, and has a wing area of 445 sq. ft. Army co-operation types will be represented at the Display by two machines—an "Audax" and a "Rota." The " Audax," a Hawker product and the latest army co-opera tion aircraft to be introduced into the Royal Air Force, is yet another development of the " Hart " bomber. It uses a similar engine—the 525 h.p. " Kestrel IB" but may be dis tinguished from the bomber "Hart" by the long exhaust pipes which run along the fuselage, and by the hook attached to the axle of the undercarriage. This is employed for pick ing up messages suspended between two poles or, in an emergency, two rifles the bayonets of which are driven into the ground. Complete wireless receiving and transmitting equipment is carried behind the rear cockpit. If necessary the " Audax" may be employed for bombing, including that of the diving variety. It is armed with a single Vickers gun firing through the airscrew arc and a Lewis gun over the rear cockpit. The maximum speed is about 170 m.p.h. The main data on the " Audax," which will be used at the Display by No. 26 Squadron, are span 37ft. 3in., length 29ft. 7in., and gross weight 4,3861b. During the past few months a certain number of " Rotas" (Left) The faithful " Virginia " is a heavy bomber with two water-cooled '' Lions.'' The type is being replaced. (Right) Two 620 h.p. " Pega sus " radials power the 152 m.p.h. " Overstrand " medium bomber.
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