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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 2432.PDF
Span Length Wing area . 135ft 6in . 124ft 6in 2,364 sq ft Power plant Span Length Height .. Alvia Leonides 49ft $in 34ft 6in 10ft tin Sftuntiertt'Roe MhMChesS TASMAN Empire Airways, who are pre-eminent among the remaining operators of flying-boats, have shown great interest in the Saunders-Roe project for a six-jet flying-boat, to be known as the Duchess. With its slim single-step hull, swept-back surfaces, buried turbojets and retractable floats, this would be the most advanced commercial flying-boat so far conceived. A suitable stage-length for the Ghost-powered Duchess would be 1,300 miles, although at least 2,000 miles would be possible with reduced payloads. Passenger accommodation would vary from 74 to 92, to be carried in a single pressurized compartment broken by a freight and baggage hold amid ships. A faster version powered by six Avons has also been the subject of design studies; this would have a maximum speed of 559 m.p.h. and the most economical cruising condition would be 475 m.p.h. A cruising speed of 468 m.p.h. is quoted for the Ghost-powered type. Presi off from, and landed on, a football pitch is indicative of the Pioneer's unique qualities. Powered in its present form by an Alvis Leonides, it is also offered with the Gipsy Queen 70, Cheetah 25, or Pratt and Whitney Wasp Junior, and is available with wheel, float or ski undercarriage. Normally equipped to carry a pilot and four passengers, the Pioneer can also operate as an ambulance, with pilot, patient, nurse and, if necessary, doctor; or it can be equipped for photographic training, crop-dusting, or mail pick-up and delivery. The remarkable low-speed performance is obtained by the use of full-span controlled leading-edge slats and Fowlerrtype flaps. Both systems are operated by one control and the slats and flaps are interchangeable port to starboard, or vice versa, as are the elevators. A larger, twin-engined version is in prospect, but details are at present being withheld by the manufacturers, Scottish Aviation, Ltd.
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