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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1447.PDF
AUGUST 28TH. 1947 FLIGHT AMBASSADOR REVIEW •vTTITHOUT doubt the Ambassador isVV c.ne of the most advanced and rno.st interesting British civil aircraft that hasvet been flown. Time is therefore now opportune to review progress and ex-amine .the possibilities of future develop- ment. Behind the design lies a capacityfor steady development over a period of years, and it may be said that theAmbassador is capable of being adapted to any future progiess with either re-ciprocating engines or airscrew turbines. Such adaptability has provided a wideiange in speed and. performance which will see the type through many years ofairline operation. The first prototype was based on 194^fatimates and, Airspeeds point out, wili \fjtowri at an all-up weight of 45,0001b,but"the second prototype, which is now under construction, and all productionaircraft will be stressed to take normal maximum loadings up to 52,5001b. The•first batch of production aircraft fitted with the 630 series Bristol Centauruspower plants will have an all-up weight of 47,0001b in order to comply withl.C.A.O. requirements for safety. That version, with accommodation for 40 pas-sengers in a pressurized cabin, will have a still-air range of 1,000 miles at 255m.p.h., flying at 12,500ft, while carry- ing a paylcad of 8,4001b. The 630 series Centaurus, which nowdevelops 2,600 b.h.p., may be expected, after further improvements, to develop2,850 b.h.p., which will allow the Am- bassador, while still complying withI.C.A.O. requirements, to fly at an all-up weight of 49,0001b. At the previouslyquoted speed, height and payload figures a still-air range of 1,450 miles will bepossible. With the introduction of the Centaurus 660 series, the operationalheight will increase to 20,000ft and take- off power will be in excess of 3.100b.h.p. The all-up weight will then be increased to 52,5001b, permitting, withthe same number of passengers travelling with an extra luggage allowance, a speedof 290 m.p.h. at 20,000ft and an overall range of 2,000 miles. It would alsopermit an alternative 48-passenger ver- sion with a still-air range of 1,600 miles. Two further possible versions of theAmbassador are being considered, one with four Napier Naiads and the otherwith two Bristol Proteuses. However, no final decision has yet been reached aboutthe type or types of airscrew turbine units Which will be fitted to the finallydeveloped version of the Ambassador. It is understood that the general per-formance in each of the two cases So far considered will be similar, but•t* better speed figures for the twin-turbined version. Since the prototype first flew on July 10th the aircraft hasbeen undergoing resonance tests as a result of which, coupled with findings on the first flight, modifications are being madeto the tab and balance system of the rudders. It is also being fitted with reversible airscrews and several other items notinstalled before the initial flight. The tests showed that the Ambassador was stable in all axes and was easy to handle.It was particularly good on the approach and landing and, generally speaking^ the results were promising. The manufac-turers are confident that in its performance and technical features, and particularly in the prospect of continued develop-ment, the aircraft shows promise of a great future. Large-scale production cannot go ahead, however, untilsupport is evident from the home operators. There has been considerable interest shown by operators overseas; but withoutsubstantial orders from operators such as the three British Corporations or the R.A.F., it will be difficult for Airspeedsto develop the first series of production aircraft and eliminate %>se "bugs'" which are only discovered in regular operation INTRODUCING THE V.SCOUNF: /s announced in "Flight" on , ugusc ,th thj Vickers V.C.2, originally known as the " Viceroy," is now to be referred to as the " Viscount ". The pressure-cabined civil transport will be powered by four airscrew turbines, but information on the precise type to be installed is not available. Prototypes are under construction and are designed for carrying 32 passengers at 20,000 ft and 325 m.p.h. over 1,700 miles.. on various routes. The company is planning proving flights allover the world, but this is not sufficient. Support, from British operators would have the effect of reducing production costsand allowing the Ambassador to be placed on the market at a price which would be competitive with American aircraft pro-duced in large quantities. TWO NEW G.E.C PRODUCTST HE General Electric Company, who have made galleyequipment a speciality, have just introduced an Air Cir- culation Oven designed in conjunction with J. Lyons and Co.Constructed of light alloy the oven operates at an electrical loading of 2 kW and is so designed that the heated air isdistributed evenly throughout the interior. The high efficiency results in low operating time and 24 frozen-food meals can becooked in 40 minutes as compared with the 11 hours required by previous ovens. It is of particular interest to note that theAir Circulation Oven functioned with complete satisfaction during the recent tropical trials of the Tudor IV. Another G.E.C. innovation which is of considerable import-
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