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Aviation History
1941
1941 - 0390.PDF
CHARIOTS FOR HIGH-WING BRISTOL : Well streamlined for its time, the1917 Bristol monoplane had an excellent performance. When tested at Upavon it climbed to io,oooft. in 8£ minutes.One synchronised Vickers was the armament. Speed with no h.p. Clerget or Le Rhone engine, 128 m.p.h. BRISTOL TWO-SEATER : The prototype Bristol Fighter(250 h.p. Rolls Falcon) flew in 1916, and the type finally left squadron service in the R.A.F. in 1928. One Vickers gun firedthrough the prop and twin Lewises were mounted on a Scarff ring in the rear cockpit. Speed, 125 m.p.h. at ground level. consists of a machine gun, whose axis of fire is directed forward and in a fixed position in relation to the machine. ; Sometimes a second gun is carried; its axis of fire is parallel to that of the other gun. Thus equipped, the machine is best fitted for attack. For defence it chiefly relies on its speed and power of manoeuvre. '' None but specially selected pilots are capable of flying these machines. A high standard of physical fitness is essential. The heart, lungs and ears are subject to great strain, for pilots, in the course of their flights and fights, are called upon not only to climb very high (15,000 feet or over), but also to undergo great, sudden and frequent changes of altitude. Eyesight, too, must be excellent; otherwise the enemy's machines will escape, and the pilots themselves will be open to surprise, or may attack friendly machines, a mistake that is easily made. ,,J_ " Important as are self-control and courage in action, an ?*' attack to be successful must be thoroughly thought out. The chief characteristic, however, of a fighting pilot is a fixed determination to bring down the greatest possible number of adversaries. '' Make for your opponent in a zigzag course which obliges him to change the aim of his gun from side to side. Keep also a little above him, and as you approach get ready to start firing; then, when about 100 yards off, and the conditions are favourable, e.g., when the enemy gun is still pointed to port, and you yourself have turned and are already slightly on- the starboard side, charge straight FIGHTING BACTRIAN : Well loved and equally well hated,according to the individual pilot's taste, the Sopwith Camel did a first-class fighting job. No. 70 Squadron possessed thefirst Camels with 130 h.p. Clerget engines. R.F.C. models had two fixed Vickers guns while the R.N.A.S. favoured onefixed and one on the top plane. Speed, 113 m.p.h. with Clerget, 135 m.p.h. with B.R.2. ARMISTICE ARRIVAL : Only three squadrons came to beequipped with the Sopwith Snipe at the close of the last war. It had the standard two synchronised gun arrangement ofthese days. The engine was a 230 h.p. Bentley Rotary. Speed, 122 m.p.h. at 10,oooft. OCCASIONAL FOUR-GUN : The Sopwith Dolphin, like theD.H.5, had a back stagger of the top plane. . Normal arma- ment was two synchronised Vickers, but sometimes an extrapair of free Lewises were mounted on the centre section. Power unit,- 200 h.p. Hispano-Suiza. Speed, 130 m.p.h. • ^r , •'."'"••. ~-•.••••••-• • •• "" FIRST OF THE PEACE : The Gloster Grebe was the first post-war type to go into production. It was the forerunnerof a number of successful types designed by Mr. Folland. A 350 h.p. Siddeley Jaguar engine was fitted. Speed,150 m.p.h.
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