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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 0105.PDF
JANUARY 14TH, 1943 FLIGHT TheStearman in Canada An American Standard Biplane Trainer as R.A.F., E.F.T.S. Equipment : Comparisons and Flying Characteristics : Construc- tion and Performance A LTHOUGH the Stearman has been a standard primary /-% trainer in the U.S. Army Air Corps for some time, •*- -*• and is also in use in several other countries, it was only recently adopted by the R.A.F. for elementary train- ing in Canada. The particular model chosen, the P.T. 27, differs only in power plant and minor details from the Army Air Corps P.T. 13 and P.T. 18 and the U.S. Navy ,N.S. 1, all, in fact, being variations of the makers' model 73. Whereas these others are powered by Lycoming, Jacobs and Wright engines, the P.T. 27 has a 220 h.p. seven-cylinder Continental radial. , Only quite small numbers of Stearmans are in use in > Canada, and these more or less as . stop-gaps to be replaced by Cornells. Some schools are already Cornell- equipped. Soon to become a standard E.F.T.S. trainer, the Cornell is a Fair- ..... child low-wing, tandem, cabin mono- % plane, now built under licence in 4: Canada by Fleet Aircraft, Ltd. It is "rather larger than a Miles Magister, has a six-cylinder Ranger engine of 170-200 h.p. output, and has already earned favourable comment for handling and comfort. Performance is much the same as that of the Magister, although top speed is a little lower; the differences „ between the standard American M-62 and the Cornell are 1 chiefly : greater engine power, blind-flying equipment, and ' an enclosed cockpit with cabin heater. The Ranger engine j is built in Canada under licence by the Chrysler Corporation THIS article, by one who is in very close touch with flying training at the Canadian Elementary Flying Training Schools, affords some interesting comparisons between the Stearman and the Tiger Moth. The author regards the two types as con- temporaries, with somewhat different flying characteristics. Canadian pilots find the Stearman "very like the Harvard inits landing and behaviour on the ground." In the air it is docile. The Stearman P.T. 27 is fitted with a 220 h.p. Continentalradial engine. The open cockpits are not well suited to Canadian flying weather. of Canada, Ltd. Its type designation is 6-440C-5, and it is a six-cyl. in-line air-cooled inverted engine. Construction and Equipment Like many of the older type elementary (primary) trainers, the Stearman is a tandem biplane of mixed con- struction. Although at a glance the wing spans appear equal, the lower planes are, in fact, one foot less in span. The FUSELAGE has a welded steel framework of rectangular shape with fabric covering supported on drawn- section stringers and formers of light alloy. The engine mounting is also of welded steel tube construction. Immediately behind it, and round the open cockpit, the fuselage is sheet alloy covered. A light-metal fairing also encloses the rear end of the fuse- lage and the tail-wheel mounting. All attachment fittings are of chrome-molybdenum steel, machined or forged. The MAIN PLANES have spruce spars and built-up spruce ribs, the joints being tacked and glued between plywood gussets. In addition, there are duralumin compression struts, and the whole is wire braced and fabric covered. Both leading and trailing edges are alloy sections, and a thin triangular strip is attached to the leading edge of each of the main planes. This strip is understood to have a considerable effect on the air flow over the lift surfaces. Aluminium alloy forgings are used for aileron hinge'and strut fittings, but steel lugs are employed for the inter- plane bracing wires, of which there are two pairs of flying wires and' two single landing wires on each side. At the'wing roots the main spars are reinforced to take the wing attachment fittings. Half-inch bolts with straight- forward fittings are employed. Single " N " struts are placed between planes. They are streamlined ; that is, oval-section aluminium alloy tubes. The centre section struts are of the same material. CENTRE SECTION, containing the fuel tank of 40 gallons capacity, is also wire braced fore and aft and laterally. A mirror is let into the lower side of the fuel tank. UNDERCARRIAGE.—Similar in appearance to that of the Gladiator, the cantilever undercarriage is a bolt-attached assembly of heat-treated steel tubes and shock-absorber sockets with two "I" section steel torque arms, one be- hind each leg at its point of attachment. Four bolts attach the unit to the fuselage. All tail surfaces are fabric covered and have a welded steel tube framework. Alloy trimming tabs are located on the elevators. Hydraulic brakes are incorporated in the 24m. landing
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