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Aviation History
1939
1939 - 1993.PDF
• b FLIGHT, June 29, 1939. ment was that several examples of the Minor, in both open and closed form, have been ex tensively test flown during a period of two years or so. In its original form, when in tended for non-aerobatic ownership, the test flying was almost exclusively carried out by Capt. Geoffrey de Havilland himself, and he considered the points of the machine from the owner-pilot's angle. In due course, when it was modified for aerobatic and other training, the machine was given a further period of test flying of what may be termed a rather more official nature. Later on we hope to describe the machine's dying qualities. For the moment we shall con centrate on its structural and maintenance features. It is a conventional ply-covered low-wing monoplane and is, except for such items as engine bearers and undercarriage legs, of ex clusively wood construction. In order to cheapen and simplify production, the various parts have, as already explained, been standardised so far as is practicable. For instance, the spruce lengths used are in the minimum number of sizes, while all gussets, rib cap- pings, angle brackets and hinges are identical. For purposes of description, the foundation of the machine may be taken as the centre-section, on which the fuselage is mounted and to which the folding wing exten sions are attached. This centre-section is a rectangular structure made up of two box spars, braced at each end by a pair of ribs. It carries the two undercarriage legs, the two control column mountings, the front seat, which is carried on a spruce box also serving as a covering for the control unit, and the fuel tank—or tanks. The Foundation The box spars are straightforward, with spruce flanges, incorporating, in the case of the front spar, packing blocks for the wing attachment fittings, and with ply webbing on either side. The steel plates of the attachment fittings are each secured by seven bolts with the usual spring washers to take up the shrinkage. The hinge wing attach ment at the rear spar is made through a single steel plate inserted in the flange. The centre-section ribs are ply-faced, but have no cross- bracing, so that the fuel tank can be installed on the port side, and so that there can be unrestricted luggage space in the stub wing, on the starboard side. An additional tank can be fitted in the latter case if required. The whole centre-section structure is completely ply-covered on the under surface, and over the upper surface where it extends outside the fuselage. The perforated flap, which is, in effect, an air brake, is hinged at six points to the rear spar of the centre-section, while its trailing edge is chamfered so that, when retracted, it fairs into the contour of the fuselage. The idea of fitting an air brake rather than a true split flap was the obvious one of giving a steeper approach angle which could be adjusted without changes in the machine's aerodynamic THE MOTH MINORS LAYOUT qualities. The holes in the flap do not affect its efficiency, but prevent violent airflow changes and so reduce the amount of trim-change when the air brake is applied. It is operated directly by means of a cable from a lever on the right-hand side of the front, or pilot's cockpit, and a pair of springs hold it in the closed position. The fuselage is a straightforward box structure of spruce and plywood, with dividing bulkheads. In assembly, the sides, consisting of two spruce longerons with intermediate stiffeners and ply covering, are first mounted on the centre- section and attached to the stub-wing spars by two bolts. The floor is then screwed and glued to the longerons, and to the rear spar of the centre-section. In the same way the plywood upper section of the fuselage is glued and screwed to the top longerons. Immediately behind the rear seat is a luggage well, reached through the rear cockpit, and there are inspection covers in the fuselage at two points. Another luggage tray is arranged below the dash in the front cockpit. Attached to the four longerons in (Above) How the wing folding and securing mechanism operates. When the handle is pulled out and to the left (in this case), the two pins are released. Their position when in place can be finally checked through small holes cut in the leading edge. (Left) The centre section and control mounting arrangements of the Moth Minor. The floor extension carrying the rudder controls is seen on the right. Luggage is normally carried in the star board stub wing.
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