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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 0780.PDF
FLIGHT MAY 27TH, 1948 CORRESPONDENCE The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the views expressed by correspondents. The names and addresses of the writers, not necessarily for publication, must in all cases accompany letters. R.A.F.V.R. EQUIPMENT Auster V Not Fully Aerobatic IN his letter in the issue dated May 13th, "717" suggeststhat, as a more comfortable and weatherproof aircraft than the Tiger Moth for the R.A.F.V.R., the Auster V should be used. However, in spite of the advantages that the Auster hasover the Tiger, it is not fully aerobatic, and, consequently, could not become standard equipment for the VolunteerReserve. It looks as if the faithful old Tiger will continue in service for many years yet—at any rate, until the long-promised Prentices begin to arrive. G. P. GASS. Wilmslow, Cheshire. AMERICAN UNDERCARRIAGES " Comparator " Taken to Task /CRITICISM of our American friends, if accurate and con->_• structive, is justified and indeed necessary. I regret, therefore, that "Comparator's" remarks on American landinggear in the issue of May 13th are neither constructive nor accurate. Obviously the XC-99 is to have the same 4-wheeled gearfitted to trie latest version of the B-36—its sister ship. The Constellation drag strut damper is not fitted to performany other purpose than to detune the fore-and-aft vibration of the leg—-if any other impression has got about it is due to over-enthusiasm on the part of the Lockheed publicity department; this is no more reprehensible than similarly misplacedenthusiasm by some of our British publicity men who talk such nonsense about the advantages of "levered suspension." Your contributor's remarks about America rediscoveringliquid springing are in the worst of taste. During a recent visit to that country I observed that aeronautical engineerswere well aware of Frank Lanchester's '' unique and revolu- tionary " discovery. H. G. CON WAY. Royal Aero, Club,London, VV.i. DIESELS FOR AIRCRAFT Economic for Low-wing LoadingsW ITH regard to the use of diesel engines in civil aviation,it has been pointed out that these have a low ratio of :ake-off to cruising power when compared with petrol engines. It is worth noting, however, that the power required for agiven take-off distance is dependent on the wing loading. An aircraft having a high wing loading requires a high take-offpower, but if the wing loading be reduced, the take-off power may also be reduced. The wing loading may be reduced eitherby flying slowly or by flying high. The latter is the more desirable, as the low wing loading then permits low landingspeeds in combination with high economical cruising speeds. It is, I suggest, under these conditions that the diesel enginebecomes more economical than the petrol engine, the high specific weight being offset by the lower fuel weight.Airscrew turbines are generally considered to be more economical than piston engines at high speeds, owing to theirlow specific weight overriding their high specific fuel consump- tion. With turbines, however, there is a reduction of powerwith increase in altitude which, in effect, raises the specific weight figure, whereas piston engines may be supercharged soas to maintain their power to high altitudes. Thus, in their case, the specific weight, if based on cruising power, is indepen-dent of altitude. The result is that turbines are suitable for fast, low-altitude aircraft having high wing loadings, whilepiston engines are better for fast, high-altitude aircraft having lower wing loadings. As a result of some admittedly rough calculations, I suggestthat diesel engines are the most economical if the wing loading is under 35lb/sq ft, petrol engines if the wing loading isbetween 35 and 5Olb/sq ft, and turbines if the wing loading is over 5olb/sq ft. I further suggest that air-cooled dieselengines could be developed to be the most economical for all wing loadings up to at least 5olb/sq ft. If it be thought that low wing loadings "would involve asevere increase in structure weight in the case of large aircraft, it is worth noting that the General Aircraft Universal Trans-port, with an all-up w-eight of 95,0001b, will have a wing loading under 33lb/sq ft. The main difficulty would appearto be the provision of a pressure cabin for operation at altitudes up to about 40,000ft. Finally, I should be much obliged if someone better qualifiedthan myself would verify or deny the truth of the above suggestions. G. R. BARRATT.Levenshulme, Manchester. THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BENEVOLENT FUND Reasons for Large Expenditure on Education From The Rt. Hon. Lord Riverdale, G.B.E.T HE R.A.F. Benevolent Fund recently announced an ex-penditure of ^52,315 on education during 1947. Since tl State now provides a measure of free education, many ppmay ask why such a large allocation is necessary. May I therefore be permitted to comment briefly on this aspect ofthe Fund's work? The money went largely towards educating children of'rnem-bers of aircrews killed during the war. It is the aim of the RiA.F. Benevolent Fund to give these children the same stan-dards of education and training as they would have received if their fathers were alive. In many cases, the absence ofa father from the home circle means that it is best to send the child to boarding school, for which the State makes littleprovision. State education is still in the teething stage and it is notto be expected that State schools, as at present constituted, can give fully individual care to children handicapped by anincomplete home life. This is not intended as a criticism of the admirable principles of State education, but merely as anappraisal of facts as they are today. Of the total of £52,315 expended by the Fund last year,^10,000 went towards the upkeep of the Fund's two memorial schools, Vanbrngh Castle, Blackheath, and Rooks Hill House,Sevenoaks. Expenditure on education by the Fund is increasing. Notonly are school fees rising in parallel with the cost of living, but more children "whose fathers gave their lives are nowreaching school age. The peak, however, will probably not be reached until between 1959 and 1966. Valuable assistance to the Fund is given by a number ofschools in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland who have generously provided scholarships or offer reduced fees forchildren of deceased officers. But for this our annual expendi- ture would be much larger. There is also a Ministry of Pen-sions educational grant, up to a maximum of ^80 a year, available for these children at the age of five, but this isnormally insufficient to meet fees and extras. The scope of the educational assistance given by the Fund islarge, but it must be remembered that the need is vast because of the large number of R.A.F. casualties in the war. InBomber Command alone, 60,000 members of aircrews gave their lives, and we are to-day helping with the school and universityeducation of more than 1,000 children. RIVERDALE, Chairman of Council,R.A.F. Benevolent Fund. FORTHCOMING EVENTS May 27th.—Royal Aeronautical Society : Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture, " Size in Aircraft," A. Gouge, B.Sc, F.R.Ae.S. May 29th and 30th.—Netherlands Aero Club: Invitation Rally, Ypenburg, Holland. May 29th and 30th.—Butlin's Week.end Air Rally. Speeton, Filey, Yorks. June 5th.—Derby Aero Club and No. 16 Reserve Flying School: Flying Display at Burnaston airport. June 12th.—Wolverhampton Aero Club: "At Home." June 12th and 13th.—Butlin's Week-end Air Rally at Ingotdmellj, Skegnes:. June 13th.—Henri Bardel Cup for model aircraft with mechanical motors. June 19th to 21st.—Royal Aero Club: Week-end for Foreign Guests, London. June 20th.—Northern Heights Model Flying Club: Gala Day. Queen's Cup and Helicopter Trophy. Langley airfield, Bucks. June 26th and 27th.—Butlin's Week-end Air Rally. Broom Hall, Pwllhe!; N. Wales. July 3rd.—Air Service Training : Flying display and " Open Day," Hamble airfield, Hants. July 3rd to 5th.—Private Air Rally for members and associate members of the Royal Aero Club at Deauville, France. (Guetu of M. F. Andre.) iuly 3rd.—R.Ae.S. (Glasgow; Visit to Blackburn Aircraft Ltd., Dum barton. July 4th—Leicester Aero Club: Air Day and Club "At Home," Rat- cliffe airfield.
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