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Aviation History
1938
1938 - 0322.PDF
FEBRUARY 3, 1938, IN PRODUCTION FORM SINCE the Cygnet is the first all-metal light aeroplaneto be produced in this country, it is somewhat naturalthat emphasis should previously have been laid on structural considerations. Now that the final version has been flying for some time, and that delivery of the first of a production batch can be expected in April or May, one can forget the interesting internals and treat the Cygnet simply as a flying machine designed for use by the private owner, the charter firm, or the club. In any case, there have been no changes in the essential structure, in which Alclad, by Northern Aluminium, plays a large part, since the machine first made its appearance last year. There has been a slight increase in the rudder area and in the dihedral, improvements in the control system, and the cabin top has been entirely redesigned with a convincing change for the better in the general appearance of the machine. A very real attempt has been made in the design of this cabin top to give the pilot and the passenger the maximum possible range of vision, and to this end almost the entire surface as far as the rear of the luggage compartment is transparent. The transparencies, with the new moulded windscreen, are the work of Plastilume Products. The occupants sit well for- ward so that the landing and navigation view over the lead- ing edge is excellent, while it is possible to see over the entire rearward horizon before the take-off. The only slight failure in the range of vision concerns the tail-down taxying view, which demands a certain amount of rubber-necking (or occasional deviations from the straight path) in order to make sure that there are no obstruc- tions on the port side. In order that there shall be plenty of head room consistent with low drag, the occupants sit fairly low down, but even so the nose cowling, in cruising attitude, lies well below the level of the horizon. The wide doors of the Cygnet may be fixed in any position by means of the adjustable stops, and this photograph also shows the neat instru- ment panel layout, with the easily seen and reached fuel tap immediately below it. The amount of trans- parent area is noteworthy. The stowing of different shapes and sizes of suit cases and the necessity for strapping them down firmly to make sure that they are not dislodged in bumps, is always something of a worry, and the designers of the Cygnet have dealt with the problem by the simple means of providing special suitcases of ample capacity which are placed firmly in recesses. In addition there is a long, narrow space behind the luggage compartment where, for instance, two sets of golf clubs may be stowed, and there is still ample room for all the odds and ends which are invariably added at the last moment. On both sides of the standard instrument panel are two sizeable lockers, each with a lid, and the one on the starboard side may be used, if necessary, for the disposition of any special blind-flving instruments, such as a Sperry panel, which the prospective owner may care to have fitted. The standard panel is sup- ported on special vibration-proof Lord mountings which at the same time act as hinges, so that the entire panel may, on the removal of attachments at the top, be swung downwards in order that the connections may be inspected. The arrangement of the controls includes normal dual rudder-bars with a single central control stick. Provision has, however, been made for the incorporation of two separate
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