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Aviation History
1963
1963 - 2295.PDF
Air-Cushion Vehicles FLIGHT International supplement, 26 September 1% AIR-CUSHION PRIX? .. . GRAND characteristics. Bearing these points in mind, the following regulations are suggested:— (1) ENGINE: Manufacturers could choose from any current H-litre quantity- produced pushrod unit, and a limited degree of tune would be permitted. About 110 b.h.p. could be expected for both lifting and propulsion. If results showed this to be insufficient, the engine size should be increased rather than the degree of tune. (2) TRANSMISSION: This could become an extremely expensive part of the machine. It is probable that many car components could be used to help keep the costs down. Too many regulations here might tend to cramp development. (3) LIFTING FANS: Any number should be allowed. The only restrictions would be concerned with safety. Large size mesh or bars should be placed over all intakes, whilst the walls of the ducting must be strong enough to resist the impact of broken blades, particularly in the case of a crash. (4) PROPULSION: Any method permis sible, but it should be noted that the limit on engine size is a total limit and applies to both lifting fans and air screws. Separate engines may be used so long as their total capacity does not exceed the limit. "Naked" airscrews would not be allowed. (5) CONTROL: No limitations, provided the machine is equally controllable on smooth tarmac, mud, water and an irregular surface. Controls reacting on surface and/or on air permissible. Any forward-placed control surfaces must not interfere with the driver's vision. Machine must be capable of reversing. (6)HOVERHEIGHT: Machine must be able to ride over 4in obstruction whilst both lift and propulsion systems are at full speed. The race course itself would look after any hill-climbing deficiencies. (7) DIMENSIONS: The machine must not exceed 7ft in width and 14ft in length. A sensible minimum weight would have to be fixed after practical experiment, and would need to be reviewed at least once a year. It would probably be about the same as that of a current Formula 1 car. (8) BODYWORK: This would have to be of a robust and practical nature, capable of surviving the weather, and of offering protection to the driver in the event of a crash. Canvas or paper coverings would be strictly forbidden. (9) BRAKING: For the sake of safety, the machine would have to be capable of a minimum standard of deceleration in still air. The Race Course To make quite sur that a breed of freak machines is nc created, any officially recognized track would have to have certain features Initially, these tracks could be adapl ations of current racing-car circuits. T be of any use to hovercraft developmer they should incorporate at least th following features: (1) GRADIENT: The course should ir elude a reasonably steep hill that th machines are forced to climb withou the benefit of having taken a run at it. (2) GROUND CLEARANCE: An obstacl of the minimum height should be place somewhere on the course. (3)WANDERING: The course shoul have suitable barriers alongside it t discourage deliberate wandering off. (4) VARIETY OF SURFACE: A bi feature of the hovercraft is its ability t run smoothly over just about an surface. Each course should includ stretches over grass and water. Th latter could be introduced artificial] without too much trouble. (5) DEVELOPMENT: As the design ( the machines improve, the coura could be made more and more difficu until, at length, the hovercraft reach* such a stage of development that it ca be driven with confidence and safety o the public roads. To achieve this, afti all, is the whole purpose of this exercis GLASS reinforced PLASTICS third edition edited by PHILLIP MORGAN The third edition of this well-known work has been much enlarged and thoroughly revised. There are three new chapters on dough moulding compounds, glass reinforced sheeting, and pressure vessels and filament winding. The first seven chapters describe various raw materials, the next five cover the different production methods of moulding sheet, tube and rod, and the remaining eight chapters treat specialised applications of glass reinforced plastics. This completely up-to-date book represents the work of many highly qualified authorities throughout the plastics industry. 50s net by post 52s 3d about 420 pages obtainable from leading booksellers Published for "British Plastics" by IUFFE Books Ltd DORSET HOUSE STAMFORD STREET LONDON SEI KEEPING PAGE WITH THE TIMES. Bamfords have supplied the two special purpose high perfc Ajax propellers for the Denny D2 Hovercraft. ance Suppliers to the shipbuilding industry for many y»" Bamfords also manufacture tail shafts, stern tubes, ru tanks and skin fittings. F. BAMFORD & CO. LIMITED Ajax Works, Whitehill, Stockport, Cheshire Telephone: Stockport 6507/9 46
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