RAE Report BA1596 issued in April 1940 gives some details of the testing of a nosewheel undercarriage in Monospar N1531. The trials were to determine the behaviour of an aircraft during various types of landings and take-offs, including cross-wind performance and ground handling. Taxying was easy and slow speed ground handling satisfactory apart from some difficulty in starting off on a turn. The nosewheel was free of shimmy but braking was not satisfactory and did not fully exploit the possibilities of a tricycle undercarriage. Take-off was easy and similar to that of a tailwheel aircraft. Landing was easy and safe. Cross-wind landings were made in winds of up to 30 mph and offered no difficulty. Decreasing the ground incidence did not affect take-off adversely. The trials took place at an AUW of 2,875 lbs. Two types of gantry were used to hold the nosewheel leg, but neither appeared to make much difference.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Monospar ST-25 Universal - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

The tricycle ST-25 photographed during its period under test by the A&AEE at Martlesham during November 1937

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Monospar ST-25 Universal - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Airspeed AS.36 / AS.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1940

The article on Martin-Baker Aircraft in the previous edition of Aviation World did not allow space for drawings, so a copy of a drawing of the projected M.B.4 is reproduced in this issue of Aeromilitaria. It is believed that this drawing, found in The National Archives at Kew, has never been published before - it shows the Rolls-Royce Griffon-powered fighter prototype (intended to be R2496), which was of similar lines to the M.B.3 (R2492) apart from the change of engine from the Napier Sabre fitted to the M.B.3. The M.B.4 was extensively modified during construction and later appeared as the Griffon-powered M.B.5.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin-Baker MB.4 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943