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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 1522.PDF
Air-Cushion Vehicles FLIGHT International supplement, 23 August 1952 Bertin Development... and to study the behaviour of the flexible petticoats in surmounting obstacles. It consists of a supporting chassis in the form of a flat light-alloy box 7.5m x 3.3m (24ft 7in X 10ft lOin) under which are fixed eight petticoats 1.55m dia x 0.55m high (5ft lin dia X lft 9£in high). The engine is a Turbomeca Marbore 2, the gases from which are delivered through eight Bertin injectors, each of which supplies one petticoat. These injectors multiply the throughput of the jet engine by a factor of 7 or 8, whilst reducing flow velocity and lowering the temperature sufficiently to avoid trouble. Propulsion is at present obtained by tilting the whole group of petticoats forwards, backwards or sideways on their ball-and-socket mountings. This movement of the petticoats is controlled by the pilot through a control column. Finally, rotation of the vehicle is obtained by tilting the front and rear petticoats in opposite directions by the action of the pilot's feet on a rudder bar. Other propulsion systems are conceiv able. They may be associated with the lift, as in this case, or be independent. The choice will depend on the require ments for use. The group consisting of the jet engine and injectors may be replaced by a piston engine or gas turbine driving fans. The choice of system is a question of first cost, sim plicity of manufacture, robustness, and intended use. Summary To sum up, although we are well aware that this type of vehicle does not constitute a universal solution, it appears to offer, on the whole, a number of very advantageous features, especially for surface transport in under- equipped and under-developed regions, or in those subject to difficult climatic conditions (e.g. rainy seasons). In contrast to other means of transport, such as motor vehicles and railways, which demand enormous surface pre paration, this type of vehicle only re quires a few ramps for entering or getting out of rivers or sheets of water, and perhaps some levelling by bulldozer in regions which are too uneven or covered with trees or bushes. This vehicle, the dimensions of which can be very large if desired, is cheap to construct, and should also be cheap to run. In fact, it requires little power, although it can travel over water or very primitive terrain. The latter ability is essentially due to the basic lift-solution, which makes the height of the obstacles which can be surmounted independent of the aerodynamic working height, It is the excessive interrelationship of parameters which, from many points of view, appears to present such difficulties in the case of previous air-cushion vehicles. Finally, it must be emphasized that the life of these vehicles will be very long, without sacrificing lightness. They are not subjected to any excess loads or vibrations due to the unevenness of the ground. In fact, they have the most effective pneumatic suspension con ceivable. Bibliography (1) Fourth International Aeronautical Con gress, devoted to rotary-wing aviation and vertical flight (June 15-18, 1959). A contribution to the development of injectors and ejectors. J. Bertin and M le Nabour (Bertin et Cie). (2) Injectors applied to vertical flight. Towards the injector wing. M. J. Bertin, Lecture on April 7, 1960. (3) Technical Note No 15-8, registered a; the French Patents Office, Julv 16, 1957. A fluid jack, and calculation of the thrust obtained in an incompressible medium on a circular surface. J. Bertin, B. Salmon and L. Duthion (Bertin et Cie). Bertin BC4 (Turbomeca Marbore 2): Length overall, 7.8m (25ft 7in); width overall, 3.3m (10ft lOin); height overall, 2.2m (7ft2iin); gross weigh;. 3.500kg (7,7201b); payload, 2,000kg (4,4101b); weijh; empty, 1,500kg (3,3101b). DOUGLAS THINK BIG Among a family of massive air-cushion vehicles envisaged bv the Douglas Aircraft Co Inc is this logistic support craft, seen delivering supplies to a Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine. Douglas believe that ultimately ACVs max replace segments of the USA's strike forces, operating as super-fast aircraft carriers, guided-missile cruiser's, destroyers or submarine killers ••?-.. •v • * it 41
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