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Aviation History
1960
1960 - 0172.PDF
172 FLIGHT, 5 February 196) ITAKE IARDWBBER RADIATOR LIGHTS STATION WAGON of the AIR . . . ratio, low frontal area, simplicity and, perhaps, cheapness ofmanufacture. It would appear to be endowed with such qualities as would make possible a cheap twin-engine concept, which is sodesirable for over-water crossings and yet might have to be ruled out with conventional engines on the score of price. One major factor which makes private flying impractical is thatthere is no reliable link between the point of landing and the point of activity, be it a town centre or a cattle market. An Americanexecutive whose annual flying costs total about $40,000 will arrange for a hire-car to await him at his destination, but this isneither economic nor practical for most people. It is therefore imperative that any serious attempt at designing a business aircraftmust include a vehicle for "going ashore." We have all thought of putting a Corgi in the back of a light aircraft and, while this mightbe quite efficient for one person, it remains unsatisfactory for carrying small children, large parcels, or wives of any size. Two current light-vehicle specifications are of interest here.One, made in Spain, is called the Voisin. This is in effect a small punt chassis with a two-stroke, front-wheel-drive motor andvirtually no superstructure. The other is a military specification of the BMC Mini-Minor, known as the Moke and capable ofcarrying four paratroopers. The Voisin is too short in wheelbase but is endowed with a proper simplicity, while the Moke wouldappear to be over-specified and too heavy for use as an air tender. What is needed is literally an "undercart," which could conceivablybe contoured into the underside of the aircraft; which could be easily unshipped and brought into action; and which would carryfour people and their luggage at 30 m.p.h. in reasonable discomfort. I suggest that a punt chassis with small balloon tyres, withoutsprings, using a two-stroke engine of 250 c.c. or a Wankel, with a folding canvas hood and sidewalk, could be produced withextreme lightness. This vehicle should carry the registration of the aircraft and should not be subject to additional taxation. Asis already well known, it is a long walk from Sywell into Northampton, from Wolverhampton Airport into the centre of thetown, from Fairoaks or Elstree to Marble Arch, from Bumaston into Derby, or from Sandown into Newport. A ferry car is there-fore fundamental to practical flying. If it can be built into an aircraft, flying will be taken up by people with work to do. The station wagon took many years to_ evolve; its equivalent willinevitably come into private aircraft design. Can we hope that its convenience will be seized on now and that we can look forwardto the day when we can simply step into an aircraft and go? Private flying today is somewhat in the same position as motoringwas in the first decade of this century, namely an expensive hobby and not a means of transport. Had motorists in 1910 been toldthat mile-a-minute vehicles would come on to our roads in 1960 at a rate of 50,000 per month, their disbelief would be understand-able. This has happened, in spite of the fact that motorists have been taxed heavily and their money expended on services otherthan roads and safety. That we are now building roads which compare favourably withthe railways of a hundred years ago is merely because high traffic- volume has enforced action. In the same way, within the nextforty years, the saturation of our roads will force the busy man to look to the air, and commercial interests will measure his demandand create the aircraft he needs. The Government now has an opportunity of taking the initiative by co-ordinating the design Aircraft could have large upward-hinging door for easy access; nost - wheel fairing could seal off cart radiator intake. Cart could hati windscreen and light-metal panelled roof and back, erected in sing;; lifting movement or lowered level with top of sides, and convtj side-panels and production of a common aircraft of really practical specifica-tion, and of navigation and safety aids, and by promoting the standardization of maintenance procedures, the requirements ofcost reduction coming second only to those of safety. Since obtaining my PPL I have tried tr use existing British lightaircraft in a practical way. I have taken my wife and young daughter flying, but conditions were much too cramped and noisyto make it an enjoyable family party. I regret very much that my mother—who has travelled on occasion by camel, bullock wagon,penny-farthing, horse and rickshaw—cannot manage (at the age of 75) to climb into the aircraft which I fly. About 1933, Hitler asked Porsche to design a people's car. Hadhe produced a two-seater, history would have labelled such a design as foolish and impractical. In fact, Porsche produced a four-seater car with luggage space. It is now proposed that, in order to encourage practical flying at a reasonable cost, a new two-seater aircraft should be developed in this country. This, to me, is folly. It could in fact ensure that private flying in Britain remainsimpracticable. BAGGAGE OR FUEL CROP DUSTING PUNT "'.. Three possible variations on the cart theme ''•'..•, Postscript: Detail Notes on the Undercart Suspension Large wheels should be used if possible, for travel overboggy terrain. Suspension could be leading and trailing link by rubber in torsion, or leading and trailing link interdependent suspension as inthe 2CV Citroen. Leading and trailing link suspension with single arms will locatestresses nearer to the centre of the punt, so permitting lighter ends. Assuming 3in bump and 18in wheel, substantial wheel arches arcneeded. These could be used to locate the cart positively against the underside of the aircraft, and could also substantially stiffen the punt. Suspension should be such that, when the punt is empty, it shouldrise on its springs to within lin of hook-on height; and that it can be raised lin and depressed 6in by firm hand-pressure. This would enableone man to ship and unship the punt. The stub axles could perhaps be hooked to the aircraft so that the suspension coils are employed to holdthe cart snugly home. Transmission A Wankel engine could be used, operating throughone forward gear and reverse, or two forward gears and reverse. Elimination of the differential would improve traction over slipperyterrain. Half-shafts could be made to support side thrust and could be built like torque-tubes. One inboard universal joint would suffice if theswing axle was acceptable, and two universal joints would be needed to keep the driving wheels vertical. Rack-and-pinion steering should beused, and means should be found to drop the steering wheel and column for stowage.Seats should be as in the 2CV Citroen and made to fold forward and downward. The flat windscreen can fold backwards. It would bepossible to design lightweight metal side roof and rear panels (see sketch) which could be assembled when needed; but, as this wouldforce the driver to assemble his car every time, the use of easily stowed canvas panels might be preferable. On most occasions the windscreenalone—or windscreen plus roof panel—would probably suffice. Using canvas, one has the contrast of a chassis which must show the sophisti-cated approach of chassis designer, aircraft designer and aerodynamicist, while the superstructure must have about it the simplicity and apparentcrudeness of the standing lug rig of a fishing boat. It must be possible to erect and dismantle the superstructure quickly, with gloved hands, inrain, in a high wind and at night. I have tried to convey, in these ideas and the sketches, that it shouldnot be impossible for a properly qualified designer to build a vehicle which will fold to a depth of 1ft. RETROSPECT From "Flight" of February 5, 1910 Flyers and Politics: Although aeroplanes are hardly likely to bepressed into use for the purpose of taking electors to the poll just yet, it is at least interesting to note that last week Mr Moore-Braba zondecorated his machine with several posters advocating the claim; of the Unionist candidate for North Kent, and one just caught a glimpseof what might happen at the next General Election.
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