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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 0258.PDF
222 FLIGHT FEBRUARY 26TH, 194s The U.L.A.A. is not, however, leaving the matter there. Taking a long view, and visualizing the time when low-powered flying can really get going on a large scale, it has drawn up specifications for two small en- gines. This has been done in consultation with interested aircraft and engine designers, and the specifications have been approved in principle by the Air Registration Board, to whose requirements for ultra-light aircraft the engines must conform. Primary requirements for the designs are : reliability, cheapness, simplicity and ease of maintenance, and smoothness and quietness. First priority is given to an engine of some 50 h.p., to come within the two-litre class, but second choice is for a smaller unit of 25-30 h.p. in the one-litre capacity. Four-stroke operation is pre- ferred, and the use of certain components common to both engines is suggested as a means of reducing cost. Air-cooling is stipulated, and the Association ex- presses a preference for the four-cylinder horizontally opposed arrangement, with direct airscrew drive for cheapness. This limits the engine speed to some 3,000 r.p.m. in order to retain reasonable airscrew efficiency. If gearing is to be employed, the Association calls atten- tion to the possibilities of mounting the airscrew on an extension of the camshaft. With a view to reducing expense, the possibility of using well-proved standard car and motor cycle engine parts is encouraged by permitting a maximum weight of 3.5 lb/h.p. We are by no means convinced that this is a good move. The specifications stipulate that the engines must be capable^ continuous cruising at 80 per cent of maximum power. It appears very unlikely that car or motor cycle components would give the necessary reliability under such conditions. But in general the action of the Ultra-Light Aircraft Associa- tion is to-be applauded. CONTENTS Outlook - R.N.V.R. Air Squadron - - - - Strategic Bomber Off nsive Civil Aviation News Transports To-day and To-morrow - Casual Commentary - - . - - - By Lincoln to Argentina - -_ - - • Here and There - ... Technical Training at Farrrborough - •-*'• Correspondence .... Service Aviation Forthcoming Events, page 242 221 223 226 227 0 233 .235 238 240 242 243 Aeromodellers ThreatenedD ESIGNERS and builders of flying aircraft models are likely to be greatly handicapped, if not actually " grounded," by the stopping of supplies of balsa wood. From the fact that something like 300,000 models are built by model fliers annually it might be imagined that the sport absorbs large quan- tities. This is not, of course, the case. * The amount of balsa used in a flying model is infinitesimal. Many people have the idea that these models are mere "toys," and that the model fliers are just kids playing with them. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many of the models are designed on scien- tific principles, and model flying is the finest basis for making the nation air-minded. Her Majesty the Queen has recognized this by offering a cup, to be known as the Queen's Cup, for annual competition. It would be a pity if this splendid movement were ruined for the sake of a few hundredweight of balsa wood. "Flight" photograph. STAR LEOPARD : 7 he fourth Avro Tudor IV for 6.S.A.A. (and, inaaeniaiiy, the first conversion of a Tudor I) on a contractor's check fi from Woodford. Small /eoding-edge root fiJ/ets—a recent improvement—remain to be fitted before delivery to the Corporation.
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