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Aviation History
1938
1938 - 0447.PDF
FEBRUARY 17, 1938 FLIGHT. Maia and Mercury as separateseaplanes and, at foot of page, as a composite, or eight-engined,biplane. The principle is, however, ex- actly the same. It will be seen from the curves that at low speeds, i.e., just after the take-off, the lower com- ponent carries far more of the weight than the upper. As speed increases, the upper com- ponent carries more and more and the lower less and less of the weight. At a speed of about 156 m.p.h. in the example chosen (which, as already ex- plained, does not correspond exactly with the figures of the actual machines) the two curves cross over one another. At that speed, therefore, the total lift is equally divided between the two machines. If both are of the same weight that speed will therefore be the one at which each carries its own weight. At any higher speed there will obviously be a separating force tending to pull the two machines apart. The weights of the two actual machines are not equal. The lower component weighs about 27,500 lb., and the upper weighed, at the time of the first separation flight, about 14,500 lb. From the curves this would mean that at about 90 m.p.h. each machine was carrying its own weight, and that at any higher speed there would be a separating force; but again it should be emphasised that the curves were based upon assumed and not upon actual data, and that therefore the example should be accepted merely as showing the principle involved. Turning from the general to the specific case, the Short- Mayo composite aircraft comprises (a) a large four-engined flying boat, generally similar to, but with a slightly larger
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