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Aviation History
1936
1936 - 1667.PDF
676 FLIGHT. JUNE 25, 1936. The Bristol 130 bomber-transport (above) has been adopted by the R.A.F. with two Pegasus X engines. Hendon heavy bomber with two Ke;trel VI. hSelow it is the Fairey presumably, being necessitated by some structural obstacle. Wing flaps are incorporated (these, in the form in which they are used to-day, at least, are novelties to the R.A.F.) to steepen the gliding angle, which, due to the clean aerodynamic design of the aircraft, would be far too flat to allow safe operation from small aerodromes. Bombers • Light, medium and heavy are the three classes of bomber recognised in the R.A.F. Each has its own particular "strong line," but there is no inflexible division between their duties. Let us consider them one by one. Many embryo students of military aeronautics must have been mystified at one time or another to see certain machines listed in one place as bombers and on other occa sions as general-purpose aircraft. The explanation is that no squadrons of the R.A.F. are classed officially as general-purpose units, but quite a number, particularly on foreign service, are equipped with what are often known as general-purpose aeroplanes. Now, this term " general purpose" (usually abbreviated to "GP."| is chiefly of interest to designers. It implies a machine capable of performing the duties of bombing, army co-operation, patrol over inhospitable country, and even acting, on occa- sion, as a light ambulance. In other words, the "G.P." machine is the R.A.F.'s maid-of-all-work and is planned particularly with a view to operation abroad. All the general-purpose aeroplanes on the "first-line" strength oi the R.A.F. are used by squadrons having the word " Bomber " after their numbers and are frequently referred to, especially if they are based at stations in this country, as bombers. To return to our "G.P." bombers. In this category the R.A.F. has the Westland Wapiti and Wallace, the Vickers Vincent and the Fairey Gordon. The Wapiti and Gordon are both ripe for replacement, but the Wallace is a newer machine. It is, in effect, a development of the Wapiti (which, fitted with the Bristol Jupiter engine, has done yeoman service for many years), but, apart from structural improvements, has a longer fuselage, a new undercarriage and a Bristol Pegasus II M moderately super charged 9-cylinder radial of 590 h.p. But, more interest ing still, it is being supplied to the R.A.F. with enclosed cockpits which are heated for high-altitude flying. At 5,000ft. the Wallace does 160 m.p.h., and its absolute ceiling is 24,100 ft. The Fairey Gordon may be considered as a development of the popular Fairey IIIF, known at one time to several squadrons. Its engine is a Siddeley Panther. In appearance the Vickers Vincent used by certain units abroad is almost identical with the coastal-defence Vildebeest torpedo bomber. It is arranged to carry, how ever, a very comprehensive general-purpose equipment. The engine is the Bristol Pegasus II M. The latest " G.P." machine to be issued to R.A.F. units on foreign service is the Hawker Hardy, a variation of the Hart, produced originally as a light bomber. The Hart, as the Hart, is not recognised officially as a general-purpose type, but is employed purely as a light bomber. Male and Female Regarding the Hart now solely as a light bomber, we find that, like the rest of its family, it is a two-seater equipped to carry about 500 lb. of bombs. Its engine is the 480 h.p. Rolls-Royce Keitrel IB unsupercharged model. It will be found later that the Hind, the Hart replacement type, has a supercharged power plant. The Hind, by the way, also carries night-flying equipment, which is not normally found on the Hart. At 3,000ft. the Hart will do 170 m.p.h. The Hind is now being received by squadrons. A direct development of the Hart, it is generally similar in appearance, but, apart from the differences already quoted, has a strengthened airframe (this term connotes an aero plane without its engine and equipment) to withstand a greater all-up weight, a swivelling tail wheel, a "cut away " rear cockpit similar to that of the Demon fighter (this provides more shelter for the gunner and enables him to
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