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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1252.PDF
no FLIGHT JULY 31ST, 1947 Models at Langley ing, and soon the air was full of models scurrying about in all directions, the silent approach of the gliders and rubber- driven types contrasting with the angry wasp-like buzz of the petrol-driven varieties. The latter brought back memories of flying-bomb days, and one soon learnt to look around quickly when one was heard to "cut," for that was often a signal to duck if one did not want to receive a thump in the back. Most of the petrol-driven models seemed to follow a very " phugoid " path after their engines had stopped, and consequently their subsequent course was somewhat unpredictable. One type of demonstration which has not yet become very familiar in this country was the control-wire flying of petrol-driv#n models. In this, the elevator of the model is controlled by wires, the "pilot" standing in the centre of the circle and making the model climb and dive. The models are very fast, and the circular flight is quite realistic, especially when the model is flown at some height above the ground, so that it appears to be appropriately banked. When flying low, the turns are, of course, flat as the wings are in line with the centrifugally loaded control wires. The whole organization was in the hands of voluntary helpers, stewards, timekeepers and other officials, who did a very fine job and who showed commendable tact in deal- ing with visitors whose enthusiasm carried them beyond the boundaries of the enclosures. I?r. A. P. Thurston, president of the club, was here, there and everywhere, ably assisted by his wife, who is a vice-president. The Thurstons have done a very great deal for the Northern Heights Model Flying Club, and it was a gratifying reward that during the meeting a message from Her Majesty the Queen, through her private secretary, Major T. C. Harvey, D.S.O., should be received and broadcast through the loudspeaker system. It was as follows: — "I can assure you Her Majesty fully realizes th- importance of model flying clubs, not only by virtue of their influence on design, but also because of the opportunities which they provide for young people, and the Queen asks you to accept her best wishes for the success of your gathering on July 20th." In reply, Dr. Thurston sent the following telegram: '' This vast concourse of model fliers assembled at Langley airfield on the occasion of the Northern Heights annual gala day humbly present loyal greetings and appreciation of Your Majesty's gracious message and interest in model flying and aviation." Lord Nathan, Minister of Civil Aviation, accompanied b his son, spent almost the whole day at Langley, and in \\ broadcast address he expressed his great appreciation of the model flying club movement as a source of air know- ledge throughout the nation. The Minister even tried his hand at launching a model glider, kindly placed at his dis- posal by a Swiss competitor. Variety was lent to the proceedings by a very polished display of aerobatics given by Mr. Wm. Humble, Hawker's , chief test pilot, on a Sea Fury. His r.o.g. take-off was nearly as quick as that of the best models, and the subse- quent evolutions were less affected by " thermals." There were some- 400 entrants in the contest for the Flight Cup. This cup is offered in open competition and is for duration with model gliders. The gliders are launched by towline, the length of which must not exceed 300ft. The cup was won this year by Mr. C. S. Wilkins, of the Bristol club, with a duration of 718 seconds (in more familiar units 11 min 58 sec). This same performance also gained for Mr. Wilkins the distinction of having made the longest flight of the meeting. JET GYRODYNEI N last year's Paris Salon one of the least orthodox, andconsequently, most interesting, aircraft was the little SO 1100 gyrodyne, equipped with jet-driven rotor blades forhovering flight and employing a pusher propeller to achieve " autogyration." In this machine a Mathis G.7 engine of 170h.p. drives a compressor which feeds the rotor jets. Exhaust gases from the engine are mixed with the compressed air. It is now learnt that the first free flight trials of the SO 1100are imminent. Tests have already been made with the aircraft anchored to the ground by cables which, it is understood,proved that control adjustments were necessary. French ex- periments with jet-driven rotors are claimed to be quite inde-pendent of those undertaken in Germany during the war. FEDDEN FLAT SIXA LTHOUGH the activities of Roy Fedden Limited are uo« virtually at a standstill following the recent contract can- cellations, some very satisfactory test running has been put in with the Flat Six light aircraft engine quite recently. The full throttle test runs proved the worth of the unusual cooling^ system; at an output of 30 b.h.p./litre the engine was fully cooled with a total cooling head of only 3.75m water gauge. Maximum cylinder head temperatures measured gin from the flame face did not exceed 200 deg C, and the hottest point on the cylinder barrel was no higher than 150 deg C. Full throttle ratings obtained were as follows: 138 b.h.p.; b.m.e.p. 154 lb/sq/in; max. head temp. 198 deg C ; specific fuel con- sumption 0.48 1b'b.h.p./hr. The fuel was 87 octane. COMING OUT IN AUGUST AEROPANTECHNICON : Work is going ahead at great speed on the prototype Miles Merchantman, and any day now it will be pushed out for first engine runs. In layout the machine closely re- sembles the Aerovan, but it is much larger, of all-metal construction and has four Gipsy Queen 30 engines. It is said that it will be possible to transform the Merchantman from a freighter carrying, for instance, two racehorses and their grooms, to a 20-passenger- carrying aircraft in a matter of ten minutes. The "hold " is of 780 cu ft capacity (length 18ft, width 7ft 3in, minimum height 6ft Sin) and the all-up weight will be 13,000 Ib, of which up to 5,000 Ib cat be bayload according to the range required. •Vlt
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