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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1839.PDF
SEPTEMBER 3RD, 194a FLIGHT *5i CtSSED-SKIN PIONEERING This fluted all-metal hull was built to replace the wooden hull of a F.5 flying boat, the wooden superstructure of which was retained. ships in the U.S.A. It had followed upon the manner in which the '' Silver Streak'' was built, as photographs herewith will show. Before 1925 we had built the "Satellite," a mono plane without spars passing through the fuselage. This machine was all- metal except for the wing covering. The Short '' Singapore I'' was well under construction. U.S.A. Firms Interested In 1924 the writer went to the U.S.A. and exhibited to various American constructors drawings and photographs of all we had done to that date. Included in these photographs is one of a drawing of a twin-engined twin-float seaplane dated 1921. The writer had tried to get an order from the British Air Ministry for this machine over a period of two years, but had failed in that object. I tried to sell the design in America and nearly succeeded. At the Navy Department in Washington Com- tiander Hunsaker gave me a letter of introduction to two American aircraft 1 The metal hull for the F.5 flying boat was built in vertical sections, something like the new method of building ships in the U.S.A." The Short Satellite was built for the Lympne light had a 30 h.p. Bristol Cherub engine and was of addition to the smooth skin it was notable plane competition of 1924. It stressed-skin construction. In for its full-span flaps. constructors, stating that the Navy Department would place an order for its construction if • either of the two constructors would build it. The con structors were interested and absorbed with great interest all I had to show them, photographs, drawings, etc., but neither would take .on the work. Looking at this machine, and the date when it was first outlined, it appears a practical proposition suitable for carrying bombs and torpedoes. It is a pity that it was not built and tried out The writer only claims that he originated these ideas and made the first rough sketches of the form of the machines, and some of the details such as the construction of spars and floats. It needed a large staff of sub- designers and draughtsmen to carry the designs to completion. Up to this time Mr. Webber was in charge of the
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