Flight 1934-07
Flight
FACING THE STARTER: The three Hawker machines "Fury," "Hart" and "Pegasus-Hart" about to take off.
AIR DRILL: No. 57 (Bomber) Squadron conclude their demonstration of air drill with a flourish of smoke trails past the Royal Enclosure. Nos. 18, 600, and 601 (Bomber) Squadrons also took part in this event.
Types of Machine in the King's Cup Race (2) Miles "Hawk," D.H. "Gipsy III" 120 h.p. engine
THE ONLY "THRILL": Mr. "Tommy" Rose overtakes Mr. Broadbent while rounding the Hatfield pylon.
THE ONLY LADY COMPETITOR: Mrs. G. Patterson was forced down near Peterborough by Friday's bad weather.
Another Selection of King's Cup Machines (5) Miles "Hawk" D.H. "Gipsy Six" 200 h.p. engine.
AN IMPRESSION: Thirteen hundred feet per minute is the initial rate of climb of the new "Hawk Major."
DESIGN AIDS TO SPEED (2) Another way of arranging the exhaust pipes on a "Gipsy Six" engine - in the Miles "Hawk M.2 " - also some details of the cantilever undercarriage of this machine.
DESIGN AIDS TO SPEED (5) On the "Hawk M.2" the balance is underneath but faired into the wing with this sprung "rat trap."
MORE SMOKE: Here all five of the "Skywriters" are seen designing beautiful coloured patterns on their blue "canvas."
SMOKE: Three of the "Bulldogs" from No. 19 (Fighter) Squadron about to weave a spiral of orange, green and white smoke trails.
FOR GUNNERY TRAINING: Three Bristol "Bulldog II.A" ("Jupiter VII.F.P.") of No.29 (Fighter Squadron) and a Fairey "Gordon" ("Panther II.A") start off to give a demonstration aerial target practice. The target is towed by the "Gordon," and the "Bulldogs" swoop down on the former and fire at it with their machine guns.
THE DEFENDERS: No. 54 (Fighter) Squadron Bristol "Bulldog II.A" ("Jupiter VII.FP."), well disguised, take off to defend the Magazine against attack.
WITH SLEEVE VALVES: The Bristol "Perseus" engine in the Bristol "Bulldog IV." The exhaust collector ring is faired into the engine cowl.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. H. J. Thomas, of the Bristol Aeroplane Co., welcomed the guests at the official luncheon, first in English and then in French. He is seen here interrupted in the task of explaining to his young son some of the mysteries of the "Bulldog IV."
LEGS AND SILENCERS: The silencer of the Bristol "Perseus" sleeve-valve engine on the Bristol "Bulldog IV."
THE "SCIMITAR": A single-seater fighter of the Armstrong-Whitworth range. The engine is a 640-h.p. Siddeley "Panther."
FLYING BOATS: One of the most interesting events of the Display was the "fly past" of flying boats. Three of them are shown here - the Saunders-Roe R.24/31 (two Bristol "Pegasus") (left); the Short R.24/31 (two Rolls-Royce "Goshawk") (centre); and the Supermarine "Scapa" (two Rolls-Royce "Kestrel"), all of the open-sea reconnaissance multi-seater type. This photo was taken from another of the flying boats, the Blackburn "Perth" (three Rolls-Royce "Buzzard"), during rehearsals at Felixstowe.
NIGHT BOMBER AND TRANSPORT TYPES: In the foreground the nose of the Handley Page "Heyford." Flying past is the Vickers "Vellox."
"UNITED WE FLY": No. 25 (Fighter) Squadron on Hawker "Fury" (" Kestrel II.S") fly past "tied together." The connecting cords may be seen between the wing tips.
A "DEAD STICK" APPROACH: Mr. Brie gliding the Autogiro in with the Siddeley "Genet Major" engine stopped.
AVROS AT THE S.B.A.C. DISPLAY: From front to back, the "Cadet," the Autogiro, the "Commodore," the 626, and the 642.
A "FOX" IN CHINA: A Fairey "Fox" Mk. IV (R.R. Kestrel IIs) is being demonstrated in China. The authorities are very impressed by the machine and have indicated that it is far ahead of anything they have seen. The most prominent figure in the picture is Colonel Wu, of the Kwangsi Air Force, who shot down a Japanese aircraft during the Sino-Japanese troubles at Shanghai. Colonel Wu has flown the "Fox."
ON THE GLOSTER "GAUNTLET": The oil cooler on top of the fuselage deck.
THE ATTACK: A low-down "strafe" upon the Magazine by No. 13 (Army Co-operation) Squadron, while the balloon, forming part of the "apron," is brought down in flames
FOR BLIND FLYING: The hood over the pupil's cockpit in the Blackburn B.6.
IN THE LINE: The first machine is the Westland G.P. monoplane. Beyond may be recognised the Fairey G.P. and "Seal" and the Vickers "Vellox."
SMOOTHING OUT THE AIRFLOW: A small auxiliary aerofoil is fitted above the wing of the Saro "Rapier-Cloud," with marked improvement in the effectiveness of the controls.
ON TEST: View of the new Short "Singapore III" flying boat (4 Rolls-Royce "Kestrels") which recently underwent trials at Rochester. Note the clean running during take-off. The pilot was Mr. Lankester Parker.
LARGEST OF THE LOT: Capt. Hubert Broad finishing a heat on the "Dragon Six"
OXFORD UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRON: A formation of "Tutors" over Canterbury. The squadron is doing its annual training at Eastchurch.
IN FORMATION: The Cambridge University Air Squadron on Avro "Tutors" over Salisbury Plain.
FOR IMPERIAL AIRWAYS: The D.H. 86 Delphinus, with four "Gipsy Six" 200-h.p. engines.
Another Selection of King's Cup Machines (1) D.H. "Hornet Moth," D.H. "Gipsy Major" 130 h.p. engine.
WHEN THE DROUGHT BROKE : The low-wing Monoplane Tendency was not appreciated by everyone.
ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT: Mr. H. Halkos Percival "Gull" model and a detail of the four motors.
This is how a metal sheet is arranged to act as an air brake on the Percival "Gull."
LEGS AND SILENCERS: The new undercarriage of the Percival "Gull."
PRINCE GEORGES ENTRY: The Percival "Mew Gull" (Gipsy Six), although it averaged 191 m.p.h., was not fast enough to beat the handicappers.
Types of Machine in the King's Cup Race (3) British Klemm "Swallow," Pobjoy "Cataract" 80 h.p. engine.
A JAPANESE TRAINER: The Ishikawajima R-5 ("Hermes" IV), an improved version of the type used on the Tokio - London - Rome flight by Japanese students in 1931. The Japanese Army Air Force has ordered a batch for training purposes. A top speed of 118 m.p.h. is claimed.
A DISTINCTIVE AMERICAN ENTRY: The Beechcraft A.17F entered by Miss Louise Thaden. It is fitted with a 690 h.p. Wright "Cyclone" engine, and, as will be seen, considerable attention has been given to the streamlining. The top plane has a big backward stagger, although this is not very apparent in our illustration.
IN A NEW WORLD: The British Klemm "Eagle" (Gipsy "Major") flying above the clouds.
Another Selection of King's Cup Machines (4) British Klemm "Eagle," D.H. "Gipsy Six" 200 h.p. engine.
DESIGN AIDS TO SPEED (1) How the exhaust is led away underneath the cowling of the "Gipsy Six" engine in the Klemm "Eagle."
BRITISH KLEMM DETAILS: On the left is shown how the spruce ribs are stabilised with stringers and carried over the box spars. The right-hand sketch is a view of the special bracing over that portion of the wing into which the undercarriage wheel retracts.
WASTE NOT WANT NOT: In spite of following this excellent motto Mr. Cathcart Jones failed to gain a place in the race, although he did get Mr. Gandar Dower's "Puss Moth" into the Final.
NAPIERIAN LOGS: From left to right, Air Vice-Marshal Borton, Mr. Winter, Mr. Smith, Mr. Savage, and the "Rapier" in the "Courier."
Two views which show the Drag Bracing (left) and the Wing Joint (right). They are of the Airspeed "Courier" and differ only very slightly from the same details in the "Envoy." The Wing Joint is between the centre section and the outer wing extensions, the Drag Bracing comes between the wing spars.
What the "Envoy" looks like on the ground. Landing lights are fitted in the leading edge of the wing of this machine, which was seen at the S.B.A.C. display at Hendon. The Wolseley engines are cowled with Townend rings.
AIRSPEED "ENVOY": This machine is fitted with two 185-h.p. Wolseley engines.
This is what you see when looking into the pilot's cockpit through the bulkhead door in the passengers' cabin.
A general view of the centre section unit of the "Envoy" showing the two mountings for the Wolseley engines, and the circular plywood bracing between the spars.
A diagram of the retractable undercarriage of the "Envoy." When retracted the wheel protrudes about one third of its diameter beneath the wing. Both sides of this undercarriage are the same.
FOR THE ENGLAND-AUSTRALIA RACE: Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith with the Lockheed "Altair" low-wing monoplane (supercharged "Wasp") which he will fly in the England-Australia race.
HELPING HAND: Mr. Hillman uses his Rolls-Royce as a Tractor to bring out the M. & S.A.F. Avro 642 on to the tarmac.
DESIGN AIDS TO SPEED (3) A small curved guard on a D.H. "Leopard Moth," where the exhaust pipe was short, which served to keep the the fumes from coming up to the cockpit windows.
DESIGN AIDS TO SPEED (6) The "Leopard Moth" also has the aileron balance under the wing but exposed to the air stream.
The sharp leading edge to the wing and fairing cuffs on the wing struts of the Blackburn "B.2 Trainer."
SAFETY FIRST: All R.A.F. pilots and observers are equipped with Irvin parachutes, and here we see a demonstration of a simultaneous drop from Vickers "Virginias" by the Parachute Section of the Home Aircraft Depot.
AERIAL SKITTLES: An amusing and original event was that in which Vickers "Virginia" bombers of No. 99 (Bomber) Squadron flew low over a row of big skittles and endeavoured to "bowl" them over with their bombs. Here we see what was almost a direct hit.
THE FAST MACHINES: The last three entrants in the races were considerably faster than the rest of the machines. Here we see Capt. Dancy (with the flag) and Mr. Rowarth starting Mr. Cook in his Gipsy "Major" engined Comper "Swift."
A TIGHT FIT: Flt. Lt. Pope housed his parachute in the luggage locker of the Comper "Swift."
DESIGN AIDS TO SPEED (8) A well-faired tail on Flt. Lt. Pope's Comper "Swift."
FOR ARCTIC AIR ROUTE: Mr. John Grierson's "Fox Moth" being launched at Rochester, where it was equipped with floats by Short Bros. Mr. Grierson left on Friday on his flight along the Arctic Air Route to Ottawa.
A MIGHTY HUNTER: A Hawker "Nimrod" (R.R. "Kestrel" II's) on floats. The "Nimrod" is the Standard fleet fighter of the RAF, and in its landplane form has a top speed of over 190 m.p.h.
EFFICIENCY: With two Pobjoy "Niagara" engines of 90 h.p. each, the Short "Scion" carries pilot and five passengers at a cruising speed of 100 m.p.h.
The rev. counter, oil-temperature and oil-pressure gauges, as seen from the cabin of the Short "Scion."
THIRTY-TWO PASSENGERS - 174 M.P.H.: The Fokker F.XXXVI is fitted with four Wright "Cyclone" engines which give it a top speed of about 174 m.p.h.
SOMETHING LARGE AND NEW: Here is the recently-completed Fokker F.XXXVI 32-passenger monoplane for K.L.M., fitted with four Wright "Cyclone" engines. Actual performance figures are not yet available, but the estimated top speed is 168 m.p.h. and the cruising speed 142 m.p.h. The range at cruising speed is expected to be about 870 miles.
LONG-DISTANCE COMFORT: On the left is shown a compartment of the new Fokker equipped for flying by day, and on the right the same arranged for night travel.
LANDING, The Monospar "S.T.10" landing at Hatfield. The new, complete cowling of the two Pobjoy engines is neat and clean.
THE WINNER: Flt. Lt. Schofleld crossing the finishing line in his Monospar "S.T.10" (two Pobjoy 90 h.p. "Niagara" engines) after covering the course of the Final at more than 135 m.p.h.
THE LATEST VERSION: General Aircraft Co.'s S.T.10 has two 90-h.p. Pobjoy "Niagara" engines.
PLEASED: Flt. Lt. H. M. Schofleld carried as passenger throughout the race Mr. H. J. Stieger, the designer of the machine and the inventor of the Monospar system of wing construction.
THE THIRTEENTH: Mr. Jackaman's Monospar was No. 13 in the thirteenth King's Cup Race, and he was "eliminated" on July 13th. He is seen here checking the "revs." of his Pobjoy engines.
Types of Machine in the King's Cup Race (5) Monospar "S.T.10," two Pobjoy "Niagara" 90 h.p. engines.
S.T.10 FUSELAGE DETAILS: The centre portion of the "S.T.10's" fuselage is built up as a unit of steel tubes. The details show how the girder forming the rear portion is made from drawn sections.
CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS of the Monospar "S.T.10." The lettering shows the parts of the main structure to which the small sketches refer. This new model has only one door to the cabin but the whole top opens up as well, making getting in and out a very simple and easy matter.
A MASS BALANCE: To conform with Air Ministry requirements, ailerons must have a mass balance. This is how it is fitted to the S.T.10.
Monospar "S.T.10" 2 Pobjoy (90 h.p.) "Niagara" Engines
DESIGN AIDS TO SPEED (9) The mass balance on the rudder of the Hendy "Hobo."
UNLUCKY BUT UNDISMAYED: Capt. G. de Havilland (right) and his two sons, Geoffrey and Peter, had little luck in the race, but Geoffrey did get into the Final on "T.K.1" as fifth.
A GOOD EFFORT: The "T.K.1" designed and built by students of the de Havilland Technical School was flown into the Final by G. de Havilland, Jun.
Another Selection of King's Cup Machines (3) DH Technical School "T.K.I," D.H. "Gipsy III" 120 h.p. engine.
COMPER'S UNDERCARRIAGE: Both the Comper "Streak" and the new Comper "Kite" have their undercarriages retracted straight back by mechanical means.
DESIGN AIDS TO SPEED (4) Shows how Flt. Lt. Comper arranges the aileron balance and pilot head on the wing tip of his "Kite."
DESIGN AIDS TO SPEED (7) On the rudder of both his "Streak" and "Kite," Flt. Lt. Comper arranges the mass balance as an arc working through a slot in the fin.
ICH DIEN": H.R.H. the Prince of Wales arriving at the R.A.F. Display in his Vickers "Viastra" (two Bristol "Pegasus" engines). It is to be hoped that the practical example set by the Prince will encourage considerable numbers of the 100,000 or so who saw his arrival at Hendon to make more extensive use of air travel.
FOR FREIGHT WORK: Wrightson & Pearse, of Heston, are to use a Vickers "Vellox" (two Pegasus ) on special freight work. The "Vellox" carries a load of 5,300 lb. and has a maximum speed of 160 m.p.h.
FINISHING THIRD: Mr. L. Lipton crosses the finishing line as third in the King's Cup Race and winner of the Siddeley Trophy.
GOOD CORNERING: Mr. L. Lipton, on his "Gipsy III Moth," was third in the King's Cup Race and winner of the Siddeley Trophy.
FOR FEEDER LINES: The Lockheed "Alcor" high-wing monoplane.
Lockheed "Alcor"
FIRST FOUR PLACES: The Caudron "Rafale" C.50 monoplane (140 h.p. Renault 4-cyl. in line inverted air-cooled engine), which, piloted by Lacombe, won the "12 Hours of Angers" contest. This type also secured second, third and fourth places in this contest.
SOUTH AFRICAN-BUILT: Mr. Lewis Noble, of South Africa, and his small parasol monoplane.
HOME MADE! Riley Burrows with the machine in which he covered a three-mile triangular circuit at 185 m.p.h. near Los Angeles. Its wing span is 11 feet.
ALL AUSTRALIAN. This etching by Mr. E. Warner shows the "All-Australian" machine, which is being built in Sydney, as it would appear flying over Circular Quay, Sydney. The machine was designed by Mr. T. D. J. Leech, B.Sc, M.I.Ae.E., A.M.I.E., and Mr. L. J. R. Jones. It is to be of all-metal construction and will have two Australian Harkness Hornet engines.