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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 0477.PDF
APRIL 10, lgtg General arrangement drawings of the Sopwith Trans- Atlantic machine. point of fuel consumption lying somewhere between the maximum and the minimum speed, and varying with the lightening in load as the fuel is consumed. The cockpit of the occupants is arranged in a somewhat unusual way, the two seats being side by side, but somewhat staggered in relation to one another. The object of this seating arrangement is to enable them to communicate with one another more readily and to facilitate " changing watches " during the long journey. The very deep turtle back of the fuselage is made in part detachable, the portion which is strapped on being built so as to form a small life boat in case of a forced descent on the sea. In this manner it is hoped to provide sufficient flotation for the occupants to remain afloat until a passing vessel may pick them up. should a descent be necessary. As the machine is not fitted with floats, it would, of course, be out of the question to get her off again once she was in the water. In other respects the machine does not differ greatly from standard Sopwith practice, which is already well known to readers of FLIGHT. The two photographs and the general arrangement drawings, should give a very good idea of the general appearance of the machine. The Short Machine Fundamentally the Short machine entered for the race does not differ greatly from their standard torpedo carrier known as the " Shirl." It is, as will be seen from the general arrangement drawings, a land machine fitted with wheels In the place between the chassis struts usually occupied by the torpedo in the standard " Shirl " is slung a large cylindrical petrol tank which, should the necessity arise, can be quickly emptied so as to form a float of sufficient buoyancy to keep the machine afloat for a considerable period. In order to be able to carry the extra weight of fuel necessary for the long journey larger wings have been fitted, having three pairs of struts on each side instead of the two pairs fitted on the standard machine.. A feature which is unique for this machine is the sweepback of the planes, which is very pronounced. This should form a very good feature by which to identify the Short machine, although from the fact that up to the present she is the only machine entered on which the west ward flight will be attempted, she can scarcely be confused with any of the other entrants. As in the case of the Sopwith machine, the Short is fitted with a Rolls-Royce " Eagle," and the petrol capacity is, we understand, sufficient for a flight of 3,200 miles ; in still air. of course. As the distance across is a little under 2,000 milef, this leaves a fair margin for adverse weather conditions, the prevailing winds in this part of the Atlantic being westerly at this time of the year. It will, therefore, be seen that the decision to make the westward flight may not be so dangerous as many are apt to imagine, and certainly considerable time will be saved' by avoiding the delay of shipping the machine across before'a start can be made. THE TRANSATLANTIC ATTEMPT.-Three-quarter front view of the Short " Shirl." The machine With which this firm will make the attempt is very similar to the " Shirl," but differs in various details. For instance, the wings will be of greater area than those shown in the photograph. The engine is a Rolls-Royce " Eagle." 477
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