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Aviation History
1945
1945 - 0852.PDF
472 FLIGHT MAY 3RD, 1945 PRIVATE OWNER DESIGNS thing for thousands of people to take to the air when com- petent only to fly in a very restricted sense, at least if a considerable number is to go on later to more advanced and difficult types. The winning design embodies a fixed tricycle under- carriage neatly faired because the designer anticipated that, as the aircraft is intended for corriparatively inexperi- enced pilots, the possibility exists that a retractable gear might be forgotten and. a belly landing result. He has taken steps to avoid this—a good point. Another feature " built in " to the aircraft is stable loading, with its advan- tageous effect on trim. It is claimed that the e.g. falls approximately midway between the pilot's seat and the < engine, so that overloading results only in a higher wingloading and gross weight, with slightly reduced load factors. Practical effects of this will, however, need to be demonstrated before the limits can accurately be assessed. Relevant data and estimated performance for this design are tabulated, but a power loading of 17.6 lb./h.p. seems rather on the high side—possibly we have been spoiled by Service aircraft, but an adequate power reserve is a very attractive quality. Summing-up, we are glad to have had the opportunity to review the winning designs of this very topical com- petition, for each of the contestants has produced a provo||| cative, go-ahead design. There is, undoubtedly, every- incentive for the manufacturers to give the public sound, safe, attractively styled private aircraft. BRITISH AIRCRAFT AMBASSADORST HE Council of the Society of British Aircraft Constructorshas announced its intention of establishing an Export Section with headquarters in London and branch offices in themain potential markets abroad. There can be no doubt of the pressing need for such anorganisation, and the sooner it can be formed into an operative force the better for the country. Due to ill-informed commentin the recent past there is a wholesale impression, both at home and abroad, that the British aircraft industry is incapable ofproducing aircraft for world markets for some considerable time to come. This view is very wide of the mark. Certainlyit is true that the industry's war commitments have imposed a great restriction on its ability to produce civil aircraft incompetition, on a time basis, with, for example, America. But those restrictions are vanishing, and such is the nature of ouraircraft industry that it can, and will, produce really competi- tive commercial aircraft types to appeal to the overseas marketswithin the very near future. The potential overseas buyers want to buy British—theyknow our quality. But in the face of highly organised sales propaganda from across the Atlantic they have gained theerroneous impression of our stultification. Mr. F. G. Miles,, head of Miles Aircraft, Ltd., is the firstchairman of the S.B.A.C. Export Section and, we feel, he is an excellent choice for the job. Mr. E. C. Bowyer has beenappointed executive-in-charge, which position he is undertak- ing in addition to his other work in the Society. The Export Section will exist to act as a central liaisonbetween the overseas markets and the home production—a two- way liaison. It will not supersede individual firms' own over-seas representatives, as it will in no way be concerned with contract negotiation, price settlement, shipping details, etc.;these will remain the companies' responsibilities. What the Export Section will be concerned with, however, is keeping afinger on the pulse of potential markets, relaying this informa- tion back, supplying all possible information to the nationalmarkets as to the capabilities of the British aircraft industry, which includes not only aircraft and engine manufacturers, butthose concerns dealing with accessories, equipment, and raw and semi-fabricated material. In fact, the prime purpose ofthe new venture is to sell Britain's aeronautical industries to the world, and, in turn, to sell the world air markets toBritain's industry. Cordial approval and support of the Government has beenaccorded the Society's initiative in this new venture. We wholeheartedly agree that probably no other proposed schemeis so deserving of the utmost official and commercial support. Britain's post-war trade will, to a great extent, be boundup with the air, and that trade is our life. It must be furthered to the limit. The cost of the organisation is being shared by all membersof the society. Naturally, the greater part of the expenditure is being borne by the aircraft and engine companies, but verysubstantial help is being given by the accessory and material manufacturers who make up the S.B.A.C. associate member-ship. This is a grand venture, and it comes not a moment too soon.We look forward to the results. own into a vertical netPRACTICE AT THE NETS : The sturdiness of the Miles airframe was proved when this M.(with a gap for the airscrew) and pancaked to earth without da
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