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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 0957.PDF
APRIL 15TH, 1943 FLIGHT 389 to ground loop, and the torque reaction was, surprisingly enough, far smaller than had been expected, so that the very wide wheel track appeared rather unnecessary. While waiting for suitable weather conditions (remember, the machine was loaded to about 43 lb. /sq. ft., which was startling in those days) time slipped by, and it was not until June. 12th, 1940, that Heston's chief test pilot, Sqn. Ldr. G. L. G. Richmond, decided to make the first proper flight. The machine took off normally, but after a flight of about seven minutes the engine overheated, owing to unforeseen cooling trouble, and the pilot was obliged to approach and attempt a landing without the use of engine. Unfortunately, the aircraft levelled out at a height of about 30ft. and, it being impracticable to use the uncooled engine for another circuit, the machine was stalled. The stall was gentle, and there was no wing-drop until well below the stalling speed, but the pilot was unable to save the aircraft, which was wrecked. Clever Simplicity Fundamentally the racer was, as already mentioned, of orthodox design: a low-wing monoplane with everything kept as clean as possible. Thus there were no projecting control levers or mass balances, and the surfaces of wings and fuselage were very highly polished. For example, at critical points, such as the leading-edge oj: the wing, the surface was polished and treated until no scratches were present of a greater depth than 0.0005m. Wooden construction was chosen partly because it was quicker when building two.machines only, and partly be- cause it lent itself to the production of very smooth sur- faces without '' waves.'' Of approximately straight taper plan form, the wings had sections of the bi-convex type, symmetrical over the greater part of the span, but slightly cambered near the tips so as to improve the tip-stalling characteristics. The maximum ordinate was located unusually far back (at 40 per cent. ,of the wing chord) so as to delay the onset of the shock-stall up to higher, speeds than were expected. Engine - - Napier Sabre Endurance - - - 18 mins. Estimated speed 480 n .j>.h. Weight loaded - 7,200 Ib. Wing ;pan - - - 32.04ft. Wing area - - 167.6 5q. ft. O
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