Flight 1937-08
Flight
PIONEER: The Russian A.N.T.25 (950 h.p. M.34) which lately captured the world's long-distance record by flying for about 6,650 miles in 62 hours. This is the world's largest single-engined aircraft. Despite the 947 sq. ft. of wing area the take-off occupied 2,000 yds.
THE CULT OF THE INVERTED VEE: The Daimler-Benz and Junkers concerns have lately built inverted-vee liquid-cooled engines for new German military machines. On the left is a D-B installation in a B.F.W. 109 while the right-hand view shows a similar machine with a Junkers.
L'entente Cordiale: Col. Udet explains some of the finer points of the new B.F.W. Me. 109 monoplane fighter to a French visitor, M. Cambois. Standing alongside is Fraulein Liesel Bach, who put up a brilliant show in one of the aerobatics competitions.
AND AT HOME IN ENGLAND: The Maharajah of Nawanagar, accompanied by the Maharanee, visited the R.A.F. Station at Abingdon. Seen in front of a Bristol Blenheim are (left to right): Wing Comdr. C. E. W. Lockyer, Mrs. Guilfoyle, Air Comdre. Sidney Smith, O.B.E. (A.O.C. No. 1 Bomber Group, who received the visitors), the Maharajah, Mrs. Sidney Smith, P/O. Hull, the Maharanee, Mr. W. Rootes, P/O. Kemp, Mrs. Edelsten, Group Capt. Guilfoyle, O.B.E., M.C., Mrs. Walmsley, Miss Smith, and Wing cdr. H. S. P. Walmsley, O.B.E., M.C., D.F.C. The visitors saw demonstrations by Blenheims and by Hawker Hinds of No. 82 (B.) Squadron.
The Italians put up an original formation aerobatic show on Fiat C32 biplanes, one of which is seen here. Note the long aileron mass balances.
A line-abreast formation of Italian fighters skating along at outrageous angles on their sides.
One of Swissair's two Douglas D.C.3s with the Dubendorf terminal building in the background. Behind the tail of the machine is the open-air public restaurant.
A Klemm and a Junkers Ju. 52 (the latter used to transport officials and mechanics), with Mr. W. Welton's B.A. Eagle behind, before the massive hangar at Orly.
Two of the Savoias and the pair of Fiats. The Savoia in the immediate foreground is the actual winner. The engines are understood to be of the Bristol Pegasus type built under licence and, as may be seen, have the latest type of Bristol cowling.
Italy bases her hopes on a trio of Savoia-Marchetti S.70s which are believed to have three Pegasus-type engines built under licence by Alfa Romeo.
Manoeuvrability has not been sacrificed to performance, as indicated in this picture of the Battle in a vertical bank. The pilot is Flt. Lt. C. S. Staniland, Fairey's chief test pilot.
Structural details of Fairey "Battle"
THE BETTER HALF - or, at least, the larger portion of the Short-Mayo composite. Basically an Empire boat, Maia has flared-out chines to give better stability on the water when carrying her seaplane, the inboard Pegasus engines are set farther out from the hull to clear the float plane's under-carriage and fixed-pitch airscrews, doubtless designed for efficiency at take-off are fitted.
In Home Waters: The lower component of the Short-Mayo composite aircraft, the Maia, on the Medway off Short's works. Note the supports for the upper component.
THE MASTER TOUCH. This view from above of Maia, the lower component of the Short-Mayo composite aircraft, shows how Mr. Lankester Parker puts down a large flying boat on the Medway. The occupants are scarcely aware of contact with the water.
Piloted by Mr. Lankester Parker, the upper component of the Short Mayo Composite aircraft is now going through its flight tests.
Mercury, the upper component, is nearing completion at Rochester and should be flying this month.
One of the Fiat BR 20 As, which like the Savoia-Marchettis, are adaptions of a bomber type.
Now each University Squadron has some Harts in addition to its Tutors. Three Oxford Harts are seen flying along the South Coast.
Several slower machines had already taken off when Mr. E. F. Walter was snapped with his Miles Hawk. Tommy Rose may be seen chatting near the B. A. Eagle.
OUT OF THE SUN: A Lockheed Twelve dives past the machine park during a recent display at Vancouver. In the foreground is a visiting Supermarine Walrus, which startled everyone by its agility.
The Koolhoven F.K. 26 is one of a number of pioneer types and was obtained from a source apparent in this photograph of the machine being shipped to Holland some little time back.
A typical American array of a few years ago, used on the Boeing 247s. Above is the Sperry free gyro panel, while below, from left to right, can be seen (top row) an A.S.I., a turn and bank indicator, and a rate-of-climb indicator, and (bottom row) a sensitive altimeter, a boost gauge, and a clock.
THE CULT OF THE INVERTED VEE: The Daimler-Benz and Junkers concerns have lately built inverted-vee liquid-cooled engines for new German military machines. The twin-engined bomber is a Dornier Do.17 with two Daimler-Benz engines.
D/L? This picture of the Focke-Wulf helicopter suggests that the familiar ratio of lift to drag may have to be reversed in importance. Some years ago this German firm obtained rights in the Cierva Autogiro, but the new machine is a complete departure. It recently broke all the world's helicopter records (including a speed of 76 m.p.h., height of over 8,000 ft., and duration of 1h. 20m.) and it definitely is able to rise and descend vertically.
Mr. Nicholson took advantage of the wind to show some of the capabilities of his Rhonsperber glider.
"Audax Omnia Perpeti." Gloster Gladiators of No. 54 (Fighter) Squadron take off from Hornchurch in fine style.
The four Hawker Furies in their famous diamond formation.
THE R.A.F. AT ZURICH. Four Furies of No. 1 Fighter Squadron give their R.A.F. Display demonstration over Dubendorf aerodrome.
An order for Pegasus - engined T.V bombers has been placed by the Netherlands Government with Fokker. The machines are seen here under construction.
The Farman attempted to fly the whole course nonstop but landed at Belgrade.
SAFETY FIRST: The Fieseler Stork, which appeared at the Zurich Meeting, in a characteristic attitude With fixed, full-length slots and flaps, the Stork has a fully controlled stalled glide at an air speed of 24 m.p.h. and the undercarriage is designed to take a vertical velocity of 15 ft./sec. The standard power unit is the 240 h.p. Argus vee-eight, giving the machine a maximum speed of 130 m.p.h. The three occupants are seated in tandem.
ACHIEVEMENT: An inspiring view of Vought Corsairs over the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. This structure is claimed to be the world's longest suspension bridge and was opened to traffic a few weeks ago.
A GOOD CRUISE: The London flying boats of No. 204 (F.B.) Squadron at Malta, on their recent cruise from Plymouth to the Mediterranean.
In the foreground of this general view are the Bucker and Klemm exhibits. The Fokker C11W seaplane is in the distance.
The first of the new Vought scout-bombers (P. and W. Twin Wasp Junior) designed for operation from carriers. It may be used for reconnaisance or dive bombing with a 1,000 or 500 lb. bomb. Note the excellent fine view obtainable from the pilot's cockpit.
A BOMBER'S BRIDGE: The pilot's cockpit of a Handley Page Harrow Mk. II heavy bomber, showing the location of the flying controls, including the long operating lever for the Dowty flap gear, and the Hobson mixture and throttle controls associated with the twin Pegasus XX fully supercharged radials.
The new Focke-Wulf twin-engined trainer with the little Bucker Jungmeister - a type used for much of the aerobatic work during the Zurich meeting.
Members of the C.U.A.S. and their instructors. Second from the left is the Chief Instructor, Wing Cdr. Lockyer, and fourth is the C.F.I., Sqn. Ldr. Mason.
GOOD HUNTING: Anti-aircraft gunners gave the lie to those who say that they will have only a moral effect on air raiders, when the 171st Battery, 61st A.A. Brigade R.A., Territorial Army, formerly known as the Finsbury Rifles, shot down a Queen Bee at their camp at Watchet, Somerset, on August 13. The Queen Bee, developed from the Tiger Moth, is a target aeroplane, controlled by wireless. They were intended for use by the Fleet, but this year they have been supplied for use by the Army too. As shown in these exclusive photographs, this one was catapulted into the air and she rose to 4,000 feet over the Bristol Channel. She was about a mile off when two A.A. guns opened fire, and the third volley hit her behind the engine. At first it was feared that she might crash on to the Battery, but she came down in the sea. The Gipsy Major engine broke loose and sank, but the fuselage and portions of the wings were salvaged.
ON the river Nile at Malakal, the terminal port for the Imperial Airways flying boats in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, large islands of floating papyrus (Cyperus Papyrus) and Um Soof (Vossia Procera) are encountered between May and September. This seasonal scourge is caused by the fact that the floods from the great lakes loosen the roots of the vegetation in the swampy areas farther south. Eventually, large sections break away from the main mass and drift slowly downstream, a menace to flying boats. The photograph shows Canopus safely moored with the floating islands drifting past.
Between heats and final mechanics tinkered, while spectators watched demonstrations of the Wicko, seen flying above, the Porterfield "70" and the German Fieseler with 70 h.p. Hirth engine.
Natural curiosity
Powered with four Hispano Series X engines of 720 h.p. each, the Marcel Bloch 160 has only very recently completed its tests. The radiator arrangements should be compared with those of the Farman.
The Breguet Fulgur in the foreground came fifth, averaging 182 m.p.h. Seventh place was secured by the big Bloch 160 in the background.
The striking Focke-Wulf advanced trainer which has an unusual tail unit.
An unusual tail unit of the Focke-Wulf advanced trainer.
The fascinating little Latvian V.E.F. 12 which was judged the smartest machine on parade.
PUSHER PURSUIT: Designed to attack anything in the air or on the ground this new American Bell monoplane has pusher airscrews driven by liquid-cooled Allison engines and is armed with a pair of cannons. It is a very brave effort for a new company and should provide a good deal of welcome data
Captain Papana's Bellanca has a Fairchild Ranger inverted vee-twelve in the nose and two Menasco Buccaneers in wing nacelles.
FOWLER-FLAPPED: The first photographs of the new Lockheed 14, or Super-Electra, transport. It will be noted that although this machine bears the "X" licence markings it carries the insignia of Northwest Airlines. Points of technical interest include the Fowler flaps, the shape of the fuselage (in particular the nose) and the tail unit, the latter of a type which has given such encouraging results on the Electra and "12."
Mr. Elwell brings his victorious Cub in over the attractive clubhouse at Ramsgate.
A detailed view of Mr. Elwell.
The D.H. Comet is now fitted with two Series II Gipsy Sixes. It came fourth in the recent Damascus race.
Although the Comet is three years old it is still remarkable for the high speed it can maintain over long distances. As will be seen, no major alterations have been made to the The Orphan.
The Orphan's guardians. F/O Clouston (right) is the pilot and Flt. Lt. Nelson, his companion, will navigate.
The installation of the Series II Gipsy Six engines.
THE KING'S ENVOY: One of the first flying views of the specially prepared Airspeed Envoy Series III (two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah Xs) which is maintained for the transport of Royalty and State personages. The top speed is over 200 m.p.h. This particular machine belongs to the King’s Flight.
SUB-STRATOSPHERE EXPERIMENT: The special Lockheed ordered by the U.S Army Air Corps for experimental work at high altitudes. Note the exhaust-driven superchargers behind the cowlings of the Wasp engines. The machine is basically similar to an Electra but has a pressure cabin
WITH a view to collecting data on the operation of long-range aircraft at extreme altitudes the U.S, Army Air Corps has acquired a special Lockheed monoplane based on the Electra. The engines are believed to be Pratt and Whitney Wasps and have turbo-blowers. The view shows the cockpit at the forward end of the pressure cabin with the emergency oxygen supply on the right.
The special door in the rear bulkhead
Some of the controls and dials on the technician's panel
A GREAT EXPERIMENT: A group of the new YB-17 Boeing bombers (four 850 h.p. Wright Cyclone Gs) of the first batch of thirteen delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps. A second order, for a similar number, has been placed. These machines are the first high-speed, four-engined bombers to enter the service of any nation, and their design forms the basis for the new civil transport landplanes under construction at the Boeing factory.
The Dutch De Schelde with Gypsy Major engine was unfortunately eliminated in the heats. The German Fieseler F.5.R., seen nearer to the hangar, suffered a similar fate.
THE CYGNET MAJOR: The new C.W. Cygnet with a Gipsy Major engine, shown here in the act of being taken off by Mr. Wynne-Eaton at Hanworth, is one of the King's Cup entries. In the race the machine, which has been modified in certain details, will be flown by Mr. Charles Hughesdon.
FOR THE KING'S CUP: The redesigned cabin and new moulded windscreen certainly improve the appearance of the Cygnet Major, which is now flying at Hanworth. In the cabin are Messrs. Waddington (nearest the camera) and Wynne-Eaton, who is carrying out the tests.
VEST-POCKET VELOCITY: One of the first pictures of the new T.K.4 racing monoplane, designed and built by students of the De Havilland Technical School. It is only 19ft. 8in. in span and 15ft. 6in. in length. Fitted with the new Gipsy Major Series II engine and D.H. v.p. airscrew, it has been designed for a speed of 215 m.p.h. and, entered by Lord Wakefield, is to compete in the King's Cup Race. It is seen in an unpainted condition.
Although the wing area of the T.K.4 is quite astoundingly small the landing speed should be kept within reasonable limits by the slots and flaps.
STABLE TALK: Mr. Bob Waite (pipe in mouth), who will fly the T.K.4 in the King's Cup Race, discussing some of the finer points of his mount at the D.H. Technical School.
A special nose cowling has been developed for the T.K.4, and may be seen to advantage in the photograph in the heading. The duct, visible within the main intake, is for the carburettor air. Note also the diminutive wheels and undercarriage. The accompanying drawings reveal the extensive application of balsa wood in the structure of the T.K.4 and a number of other features of this unusual little aeroplane.
With two Hispano-Suiza Series Y engines of 860 h.p. each, the Amiot 370, which has lately made its first flights, is estimated to be capable of 295 m.p.h.
The main fuel load of the Amiot is carried in the fuselage, as shown, although additional tankage is provided in the wings.
The Air-Couzinet 10 is a possible starter. It has a pair of Hispano-built Wright Cyclones with constant-speed airscrews. The pilot will be Dubourdieu.
The Couzinet monoplane has unusual accommodation for the pilot, and is powered by two direct-drive radials. It seems to be of wooden construction.