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Aviation History
1937
1937 - 2285.PDF
AUGUST 19, 1937. FLIGHT. 181 In Home Waters : The lower component of the Short-Mayo composite aircraft, the Maia, on the Medway off Short's works Note the supports for the upper component. Flight photograph.) than normal when the upper component, heavily loaded, is in place. The engines had to be placed farther out from the hull to give airscrew clearance from the floats of the upper component. During the take-off, and indeed throughout the climb until the moment of separation, the flying controls of the upper component are locked and all controlling is done by the controls of the lower component. This means that they have to be particularly powerful, and in the Maia they are a good deal larger than those of the Empire boats. Consequently, the Maia handles quite differently, and, from the pilot's point of view, is a distinct type. The wing area is also larger—1,750 sq. ft. against 1,500 sq. ft. When Mr. Lankester Parker flew the machine last Thurs day, three things were particularly noteworthy : the short take-off (about 12 seconds), the quietness of the Bristol Pegasus X engines, and the remarkable steadiness of the machine both in the air and on the water. On the occasion of our visit the supports for the upper component were in place on top of the wing of the Maia. They take the form of a central trestle which carries the upper component and two shorter supports which merely serve to steady the floats of the upper machine. Appar ently they do not affect performance to any extent, and, what is more important, they do not seem to affect the flow over the tail. The upper component, which will be known as the Mercury, is nearly finished, and will probably make its first flight this month. With four Napier Rapier engines and fuel for 3,500 miles at about 160 m.p.h., the pay load will be 1,000 lb. In this connection it is interesting to note that the Mercury will carry nearly 10,000 lb. of fuel and oil, or approximately the equivalent of its own tare weight when the still-air range is 3,500 miles. The Maia will weigh approximately 25,000 lb. when carrying fuel for the launch and a reserve for emergencies. Mercury, the upper component, is nearing completion at Rochester and should be flying this month.
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