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Aviation History
1939
1939 - 0293.PDF
FEBRUARY 2, 1939 FLIGHT. 105 SERVICE AVI ATI One, reproduced on page 104, shows a four-gun turret of the type which might be installed in, the tail of a big bomber or flying boat. The guns appear to be belt-fed Brownings (hitherto all free guns in the R.A.F. have been of the drum-fed type) which must demand ingenious feeding arrangements in view of their compact grouping. The turret is apparently " steered " by a handlebar arrangement similar to that on the Demon-type armoured " shell back " turret referred to in Flight as long ago as May, 1937, when a member of the stall was able to fly in an experimental Demon at Martlesham. A turret of this latter type, fitted with a single Lewis gun and optical sight, was also shown to Sir Kingsley Wood. Military Engines THE visionary writing of Mr. M. Golovine is happily wedded to the traditional Kolls-Koyce excellence of production in a wel come little publication, Some Notes of Modern High-Performance Engines. In true Golovine style the first' line of the text states that the main characteristics of modern military aircraft are speed and arma ment. Thereafter a study is made of the problem of optimum performance by analysing the characteristics which are particularly important in the case of an aero engine intended for military air craft—especially fighters. It is assumed that a modern fighter attains a speed of the order of 400 m.p.h. at altitudes of over 18,000ft., the latter being governed by the increase of operational height of modern bombers—a direct outcome of progress made in anti-aircraft gunnery in the course of the last few years. In considering frontal area great importance is attached not only to aerodynamic refinement and vision, but to the possibility of armour plating. It is argued that only one method of attack will prove efficient—a dive from a height of 3,ooo-5,oooft. above the bombing units. Experience in the Spanish War has shown that the defensive fire of the bomber along its axis of flight is quite accurate. It is often claimed that a radial engine affords protection to the pilot of an attacking fighter but the R.R. publication opines that a modern steel-core 0.5m. bullet will inevitably put the engine out of action. It is therefore concluded that the engine cowling must be armoured and it is claimed that " in line " " V " or " H " engines are comparatively easy to protect, for owing to the inclina tion of the cowling to the line of flight of projectiles. thickness of the plate can be reduced very considerably. The provision of half an inch of armoured steel all round the cowling would be unneces sary; £-|in. would be ample to protect the engine against bullets of large-bore machine guns. Radiators can be protected or else concealed in the fuselage and petrol tanks behind the engine and under the armoured cowling would be fairly safe from incendiary bullets which have a comparatively low piercing power. To com plete the protection, the bark of the pilot's seat could be made of armoured steel and light protection provided around the cockpit to stop shell splinters and bullets hitting the fuselage at an acute angle. A steel spinner, of course, would be fitted and the airscrew blades would have to be capable of withstanding bullet impacts. Royal Air Royal Air Force General Duties Branch Fit. Lt. A. G. Strutt is granted a permanent commission in that rank (January 6). The following Flying Officers are promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant on the dates stated:—M. H. de L. Everest (January 3); D. C. Torrens (Acting Flight Lieutenant) (January 16). The following Flying Officers are granted the acting rank of Flight Lieutenant on the dates stated—F. W. Flood (November 17, 193S); M. P. Skinner (January 2). Cdr. A. P. Colthurst, R.N., is re-attached to the Royal Air Force as a Wing Commander with effect from January 1, and with seniority of September r, 1938; Capt. A. A. N. Malan (Royal Tank Corps) is re-seconded for duty with the Royal Air Force as a flight Lieutenant with effect from January 16, and with seniority of January 16, 1937; Fit. Lt. H. S. Laws is transferred to the Keserve, Class A (January 23). Equipment Branch The following Flving Officers (Acting Flight Lieutenant) are pro moted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant (Januarv 8):—E. G. Ambridge, A. R. Morton. Chaplains Brandt The Rev. J. M. Scult, M.A., is granted a short-service commission with the relative rank of Squadron Leader (January 13). Royal Air Force Reserve RESERVE OF AIR FORCE OFFICERS General Duties Branch The following are granted commissions in class CC as Flight lieutenants on the dates stated:—C. W. Black (October 8, 1938); ) H. Lt. R. C. Bryant, R.A.F.O. (November 4, 1938); Capt. F. M. — H. Evans (November 7, 1938); Major K. S. Grove (November J i> 1038); Capt. A. T. Wvnvard-Wright (December 5. i<r,S). . h lp. (now Fit. Lt.) E. P. Wain, R.A.F.O., is granted a commis sion m class CC as Flying Officer with effect from May 7, 1938, and Owing te the areafly increased length of these lists, as a result of R.A.F. ON (CONTINUED) References are made to the use of fighters against ground targets, entailing the running of supercharged engines at full throttle below 1 ,ooof t. Information is included on the latest Rolls-Royce vee-type liquid- cooled engines, including the Merlin II, Merlin X and Peregrine. The Peregrine, like the Kestrel, has a bore and stroke of 5 x 5.5m., and a swept volume of 21.2 litres. Other data are: normal r.p.m.. 2,850 (the highest yet recorded for any Rolls-Royce production type engine); normal output, 860 h.p.; rated altitude, 13,500ft.; dry weight, i,io61b.; specific weight, o.8ilb. h.p. For comparative purposes a monogram, intended for quick esti mation of theoretical full-throttle ground powers, according to the output at a given height, is included. Figures for the Merlin K.M.2 S.M. two-speed supercharged engine, operating on 100-octane fuel are: International power, 1,135 h.p. at 15,500ft.; maximum power, 1,145 "h.p. a-t 10,750ft.; and approximate ground level potential power (maximum), 2,040 h.p. Air Observers AN Air Ministry order gives some further details about the con ditions of service of air observers and air gunners. In last week's issue of Flight the case of direct-entry air observers was described. Air gunners will be chosen from airmen already serving in the trade of wireless operator who have joined the Service as Doy entrants. Ai£er about three years' employment on crew duties, some air gunners may be selected for training as air observers, and after training will be promoted to sergeant. After completing eight years' man service, an air observer will normally be allowed to le-engage to complete a total of twenty-four years. A limited number of air observers will be granted commissions, and become officer observers. The observer's badge, of the letter O with a single wing attached to it, will be worn by air observers after they have passed their course, served in a squadron as observer for six months, done fifty hours' flying as observer, and been recommended by the CO. After three years' service, a proportion of the observers will be selected for training as airman pilots. Flying Accidents THE Air Ministry regrets to announce the following acci dents : — With reference to the disappearance on January 23 of an aircraft of No. 10 (Bomber) Squadron, Dishforth, Yorkshire, extensive searches having failed to find the aircraft and its occupants, it must now be accepted that the following personnel lost their lives on that date: P/O. Frederick William Miller (pilot), P/O. Allan Frederick Wrilliam Miles, Sgt. Horace Cutts, A/C.i Harry Thomp son, A/C.i Ralph La very, A/C.i John Robert Hanley. Sgt. James Thomas Wyse (pilot) lost his life and L.A/C. Edward Lawrence Wade was slightly injured in an accident which occurred at Sutton Bridge on January 24 to an aircraft of No. 3 Armament Training Station, Sutton Bridge, Holbeach, Lincolnshire. Force Qazette with seniority of April 1, 1938, and as Flight Lieutenant with effect from October 1, 1938 (Honorary Flight Lieutenant with effect from September 5, 1938); Sqn Ldr. (Honorarv Air Comdre.) B. C. H. Drew, C.M.G., C.V.O., C.B.E. (Air Commodore, R.A.F. Ret.), is granted the rank of Wing Commonder (Honorary Air Commodore) (October 7, 1938). Equipment Branch Fit. Lt. J. C. Shakeshaft (R.A.F. Ret.) is granted a commission in that rank in class CC (October 17, 1938). Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Medical Br&nch F/O. A. Ronald, M.D., F.R.C.S., is promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant (August 26, 1938). Auxiliary Air Force General Duties Branch Fit. Lt. J. C. Walker relinquishes his commission (August 3, 1938). No. 501 (COUNTY OF GLOUCESTER) (FIGHTER) SQUADRON—Fit. Lt. C. N. Shaw relinquishes his commission (May 30, 1938). No. 600 (CITY OF LONDON) (FIGHTER) SQUADRON.—Fit. Lt. I. K. Carnpbell-Orde relinquishes his commission (December 10, 1938). Medical Branch No. 905 (COUNTY OF SURREY) (BALLOON) SQUADRON.—R. G. Smith. M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., is granted a commission as Flight Lieutenant (November 3, 1938). No. 907 (COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX) (BALLOON) SQUADRON.—J. Aitken, M.B., Ch.B., is granted a commission as Flight Lieutenant (Novem ber 22, 1938). Auxiliary Air Force Reserve of Officers General Duties Branch I. Ridley Campbell-Orde is granted a commission as Flight Lieu tenant in Class A, with effect from December 10, 1938, and with seniority of July 18, T934. expansion ranis are confined to those of Fli/rht Lieuienani and above.
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