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Aviation History
1929
1929-1 - 1764.PDF
FLIGHT, DECEMEER 6, 1929 t THE GLOSTER S.S.8 An Interceptor Fighter fitted with "Jupiter" VII or "Jaguar" VIII PROBABLY most of our readers will, by now, be awareof the fact that the type of single-seater fighter knownas an " Interceptor " is a class of aircraft designed, as the title suggests, for intercepting hostile aircraft. The general equipment of this type of machine may not be gone into in detail, but it may be stated that the object of the class is to " get upstairs " as quickly as possible, there to locate and give battle to attacking aircraft. The class is intended to operate from bases not very far removed from the probable line of attack, and to some extent, therefore, fuel capacity is sacrificed for rapid rate of climb. Super- charged engines are the logical types for this class of aircraft, a high rate of climb at considerable altitudes, and a high ser- vice ceiling (altitude at which the rate of climb has dropped to 100 ft. per minute) being essential. The Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., has recently produced a machine in this class, known as the " Gloster'" S.S.8 Inter- ceptor Fighter, of which it has now become possible to publish a brief description and some photographs. The main dimensions of the " Gloster " S.S.8 are : Length overall, 27 ft. 4 in. (8-23 m.). Wing span, 26 ft. 4 in. (*>-03 m.). Height, 10 ft. 6 in. (3-2 m). Wing area, 300 sq. t. (27-9 m.2). Wing section R.A.F.28. Engine power more than 1,250 h.p. Total loaded weight, 3,800 lb. (1,725 kg.). ^ A landplane of all-metal construction, the " Gloster " 3-8 incorporates the latest developments of Gloster metal construction, special care having been taken to treat the materials against corrosion. The fuselage is built in three sections, of which the front section forms the engine mounting, tae middle portion containing the cockpit, fuel and oil tanks, etc., and the rear portion carrying the tail. The mainfuselage structure is of rectangular section, and is faired off by metal panels from the engine back to the cockpit, whilethe rear portion is faired by a fabric covering supported on a light metal structure in the form of " T "-shaped hoopsand stringers. The biplane wings are arranged with two-bay bracing,thus producing a structure which is very strong in torsion. The wings have two main spars each, of high-tensile steel,and the ribs are also of steel. The fabric covering is attached to the wing ribs by the Gloster patented " wired on " method.The ailerons are of the " Frise " type, and are so arranged that their control levers do not project beyond the fabricsurface. All bracing wire fork-ends, strut ends, etc., are similarly buried inside the covering. The various surfaces of the tail unit are designed for easyremoval from the fuselage, and a large door in the aft end of the fuselage gives easy access to all the gear in this vicinity.The tail plane is trimmed from the pilot's cockpit to meet various speeds and conditions of load. The wide-track undercarriage has telescopic legs in whichrubber compression blocks take the load, and bouncing is prevented by an oil dashpot. Metal plates are interposedbetween adjacent rubber blocks, and are also moulded into the rubbers. Wheel brakes are fitted, and can beoperated either by pedals on the rudder bar or direct irom the control stick itself. The Gloster S.S.8 can be supplied either with Bristol" Jupiter " VII (direct drive) or Armstrong-Siddeley " Jaguar " VIII (geared) engine. In the former case the tare 1273 hi
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