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Aviation History
1939
1939 - 0933.PDF
FLIGHT. MARCH 30, 1939 The Czech Letov S.50 (top) is a handy reconnaissance type obviously designed for a good deal of knocking about. A Fieseler Storch demonstrates how its slots and flaps enable it to work from confined spaces. specially recommended as a medium for using up old or surplus single-row Gnome Rh&nes. Again, it might do very well in the colonies, though the machine could hardly accommodate the loads handled by specialised colonial air craft like the Italian Capronis. Apparently it is not intended to use the avions de travaille as long-distance strategical reconnaissance machines. This work calls for a multi-engined multi-seater with the highest possible performance and a range of 1,200-2,000 miles. The improved Bristol Blenheim, or some derivative type, imme diately suggests itself for the job. The long-nosed Blen heim, it may be recalled, has a nominal top speed of 295 m.p.h. and a range (using 100-octane fuel for take-off) of 1,900 miles. The French have developed a special version of the Potez 63 low-wing twin-engined monoplane for R.3 (three-seater reconnaissance) duties. Performance must be seriously handicapped by the external observation nacelle. It is probably significant that a more recent ver sion for reconnaissance duties has a transparent nose instead of the nacelle and revised cockpit arrangements. Nations which cannot afford such a type for reconnais sance may choose a machine like the Belgian (Caproni licence) S.A.B.C.A. S.47 (somewhat akin to our Fairey P.4/34) and Germany's Heinkel He.27oK. As to the future, it may be that two main types of army co-operation aircraft will develop : first, j a comfortable twin-engined two- or three-seater, slotted and flapped and repro ducing, or bettering, the flying qualities of the Lysander; and secondly, the fast long-dis tance reconnaissance type which will probably be as speedy as anything in the air force except specialised fighters. There are other contenders for "A.C." recognition, as exemplified by the Fieseler Storch (which can fly as slowly as 32 m.p.h.j and rotating wing aircraft. Germany is said to have attained excellent results from the Storch, which, incidentally, is notable not only for its remarkable flying qualities, but for the excellence of view as an artillery spotting and liaison machine. We, in this country have nothing similar, but, like America, are ex perimenting with Autogiros and similar air craft. Such machines would be useful in Continental warfare not only for spotting and general liaison work, but as look-out posts over fortified areas. It is not to be supposed that the German Air Force has overlooked the potentialities of the Focke-Wulf helicopter. Kellett YG-ia Autogiros of the type shown in the upper of these two views are used by the U.S. Army Air Corps. Below it is the new British C.40 Autogiro with semi-enclosed cockpit and Salmson 9 Nd engine. A small series has been acquired by the R.A.F. for army co-operation. The duties of the short-medium-range army air craft of the future will probably include spotting, reconnaissance, photography, supply-dropping, ground attack (to a limited extent), bombing and the laying of smoke screens. Special squadrons may be allocated the work of night reconnaissance. Henschel Hs 126 observation monoplanes of the Luftwaffe This is one of the types released by the German Government for export.
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