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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 1805.PDF
October 28th, 1948 515 or "business-planes" as they are called, mainly of wood but partly of metal construction, is at present going through at the Amsterdam factory, and five or six are now flying. This unusual twin-boom design, comfortable and roomy, with car-type door and large cabin windows' offering an exceptional field of view, has created a great deal of interest in France and other European countries. Its equip- ment, including radio, is good, and if any criticism at all is to be levelled at it, the long take-off run with full load would probably be singled out. The rather low cruising speed would probably not suit every potential customer, but is adequate for its purpose of European inter-eapital execu- tive transport. A description and handling notes appeared in Flight of August 5th, 1948. Another important post-war design is the S.n Instruc- tor, which is to be put into production for the Dutch Air Force. The prototype of this two-three-seater trainer has been flying for some months, and number two aircraft, differing in detail only, recently took the air for the first time. Although these machines are still in the develop- ment stages, flying trials have almost been completed by Mr. Sonderman, chief test pilot and personal pilot to Prince Bernhard. Incidentally, he attended number five course at the Empire Test Pilots' School. Flight was able to fly the prototype S.n from Schiphol recently and to sample its stalling, spinning and aerobatic characteristics. The third seat was not fitted. It was agreed that no complete appraisal should be written until we had flown the modified number two aircraft in finalized A possible development of the S.I I Instructor is the nose-wheel- equipped S.I2. A prototype is at present under construction. of 31 gallons capacity each are located in the wings. An alternative version of the S.n is known as the S.12, the first of which should fly quite soon. There is prac- tically no difference between the two except that occasioned by the fitting of a nose wheel. In this case also the engine, nose wheel and mounting are detachable as a unit. That the S.12 is well proportioned may be judged from the accompanying drawing. Another Fokker trainer to reach the design and mock-up stage is the S.13, which is to replace Ansons and Oxfords as standard, advanced, all-metal, twin trainer for pilots and crews. It is to be powered with two 600 h.p. Pratt and Whitney Wasps, and to have a retractable nose-wheel undercarriage. When used as a crew trainer a bomb- The new S.I3 crew and advanced pilot trainer will carry a total of six. The engines are Pratt and Whitney Wasps. form. However, this first experience served to indicate that the S.n is particularly pleasant to handle on the ground, offers a fine outlook all round and, in general, performs well. For an elementary trainer the stall and spin of the prototype is on the abrupt side—resembling the Harvard—but this will be made much gentler by small adjustments to the production aircraft. The ailerons are light and effective, and the S.n rolls very nicely. A 100 h.p. flat six Lycoming with an automatic v.p. airscrew is fitted, and this gives the trainer a modest but adequate performance. Initial climb is quite good, but the rate falls off quite rapidly as aerobatic height is reached. The estimated figure for climb to 1,000 metres (3,280ft) is 6.2 minutes. On the prototype the cruising speed is 105/ no m.p.h. (The A.S.I, reads in knots.) The Span, length, height and wing area are respectively 36ft iin, 26ft 7m, 7ft and 194 sq ft. i The first production Instructor is expected early next ^rear and the rate of delivery will peak at ten per week. Construction is primarily of metal, the fuselage framework being of welded steel tubes with fabric covering. The engine is removable with its tubular mounting as a unit forward of the bulkhead. The fixed, levered main legs are rather unusual in appearance, protruding well forward of the wing leading edge like knees. The springing is very soft, and the aircraft takes on " bank " on the ground when brake is used to assist turning. A steerable tail- wheel and hydraulic brakes are fitted. Two fuel tanks The new Fokker jet trainer, with Rolls-Royce Derwent engine, has reached the mock-up stage. It is unnamed and known as the S.I4. aimer's position will be in the nose, a radio operator's seat and table on the starboard side of the mid-fuselage, and, on the port side, a navigator's station. In addition to these there are seats for an instructor and two pupils. For advanced pilot training side-by-side dual controls are fitted. The total complement for any of its duties is six. Perform- ance estimates mention a maximum speed of 217 m.p.h. and a cruising speed of 190. The span is 63ft, the loaded weight 12,700 lb and the wing area 495 sq ft. The total fuel capacity is 310 gallons. Completing the range of trainers from elementary to (Concluded on page 525) The unusual method of entry and exit is a feature of we Fokker Partner two-seat pusher designed as a small brother for theSfjorftotor.
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