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Aviation History
1936
1936 - 0813.PDF
344 FLIGHT. APRIL 2, 1936. FIVE MONOSPARS Specialised Standard Equipment on the Latest Versions of the S.T.25 : Trimming Tabs for New Models : The De Luxe Monospar in the Air ON more than one occasion it has been said that when aeroplanes are sold complete in every necessary detail then flying can be considered to have become a properly recognised means of transport. Last year the General Aircraft Company in troduced a five-seater, twin-engined Monospar, which, in its standard form, carried full -; - night-flying equipment, including a landing head light in the nose, blind-flying instruments, and a ladio homing and receiving set, in addition to a number of other refinements which have been part of the equipment of cars for a ;** ' decade. This year the scheme has been carried a stage farther. The Jubilee model, as it was known, has be come, so to speak, a foundation on which five new types have been erected. Based on the very same standard equipment, the new models have additional equipment specially suited to the needs of operators as well as of private owners. The corner-stone is the Standard, with the De Luxe model for the more par ticular private owner, and the Trans port for the small air line or taxi operator, while the Freighter and Ambulance are similar, respectively, to the De Luxe and Transport models, save that the internal fittings have been designed specific ally for the duties which the names indicate. Needless to say, the private owner who holds a radio licence, or who has his own professional pilot, may prefer the Transport model if he is to use his machine for very serious touring. This machine has, in place of the normal homing equipment, an R.T.E. receiver and transmitter as well as a Sperry artificial horizon and directional gyro panel, special instrument lighting, and, of course, slightly modified cabin equipment. Generally speaking, however, the De Luxe model may be taken as representing the 1936 type of S.T.25. To the casual observer three new features are immediately notice able. A tab on the elevators is used for longitudinal trim in place of the adjustable tail plane; directional trimming is now possible since an adjustable tab is fitted also to the rudder; and directional stability has been attended to by the use of increased fin area. The engines are Pobjoy Niagara Ills, with Rotax electric starters. However simple the " pull " cabin starter gear of the previous model may have appeared to the normally brawny owner, button starting will certainly be an improvement thereon. Inside the cabin, too, the changes are marked. A com pletely redesigned dashboard carries the latest version of the R.T.E. homing receiver, and there is a special switch- box immediately in front of the pilot for the electrical controls, including the starter buttons, and for the rudder The plan form of the S.T.25 win8 is admirably shown in the flying picture abo^e' while that on the right gives a good impression of the wide field of view available for both pilot and passengers. The position of the adjustable landing light in the nose can be seen in the view on the left. [Flight photographs.) bias lever. With the elevator tab now fitted, the trimming control consists of a very small and conveniently placed lever, on the port side of the cabin, moving through 180 degrees. The landing headlamp switch and its angle adjustment control are mounted beside this trimming lever and in their usual place. Apart from the normal flight instruments, which include a Smith turn and bank indicator and the homing indicator, the equipment, as before, includes Ki-gas engine priming installation, an Essex fire extinguisher and a dial-type fuel gauge whicn is mounted between the front seats. The screen is now ^ three pieces with a safety-glass centre panel, and sPe+cia attention has been paid by Rumbolds to the upholstery and to the soundproofing arrangements. The dashboard position for the R.T.E. homing reccl^e brings it within easier reach of the pilot, who is now a to read the tuning dial with accuracy and, consequen ^ to make greater use of the equipment when flying alon this with passengers who do not understand its operation.^ Although the majority of broadcasting stations m 'Q country are situated at distances of ten to thirty JL
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