British Aircraft (British Klemm) B.K.1 Eagle

Легкий многоцелевой самолет British Klemm В.К.1 Eagle стал достаточно интересным созданием британских авиаконструкторов. Как и у его предшественника Swallow, конструкция В.К.1 Eagle была деревянная, с полотняной обтяжкой поверхностей управления. Самолет представлял ДальшеMore>>> собой моноплан с трехместной кабиной и выпускаемыми вручную основными стойками шасси. В базовом варианте силовая установка включала один рядный двигатель de Havilland Gipsy Major в 130 л.е., с ним в начале 1934 года в первый полет отправился и прототип машины.
   "Люксовая" модификация самолета, Eagle 2, появилась после того, как компания была переименована в "British Aircraft Manufacturing Со.". Новая модель получила специально подготовленный двигатель, что позволило самолету победить в нескольких предвоенных авиагонках.
   Однако высокая скорость была не единственным достоинством этой машины, которая также отличалась высокой надежностью и относительно большой дальностью полета. На одном самолете был выполнен одиночный перелет из Австралии в Новую Зеландию, над Тасмановым морем; на другом был совершен рекордный перелет через Южную Атлантику, а еще один использовался Кацутаро Ано для перелета по маршруту Хэнворт (Великобритания) - Токио (Япония).
   В общей сложности было выпущено 42 самолета, из них пять В.К.1 и тридцать семь В.А.2 Eagle 2. Их них 17 машин были поставлены на экспорт, а в годы Второй мировой войны не менее семи остававшихся в Великобритании самолетов были мобилизованы на службу в Королевские ВВС. Еще два самолета мобилизовали для участия в войне в Индии и по одному в Кении и Малайе.


ТАКТИКО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКИЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ

   British Aircraft Eagle 2

   Тип: трехместный спортивный и туристический самолет
   Силовая установка: один рядный двигатель de Havilland Gipsy Major мощностью 130 л. с. (97 кВт)
   Характеристики: максимальная скорость на оптимальной высоте 238 км/час; крейсерская скорость на оптимальной высоте 209 км/час; начальная скороподъемность 213 м/мин; практический потолок 4875 м; дальность 1046 км
   Масса: пустого 658 кг; максимальная взлетная 1089 кг
   Размеры: размах крыла 11,96 м; длина 7,62 м; высота 2,06 м; площадь крыла 18,58 м2

Flight, July 1934

NEW AEROPLANES IN KING'S CUP RACE

BRITISH KLEMM "EAGLE"

   Among the aeroplanes in the race with retractable undercarriages, one of which great things are expected, is the British Klemm "Eagle," with a "Gipsy Six" engine. This is entered by Mr. E. L. Gandar Dower, and will be flown by Mr. A. C. S. Irwin. Structurally, this low-wing cantilever monoplane is of wood, with a plywood-covered fuselage which normally is arranged to carry a pilot in front, with two passengers side by side behind him. The wing, which folds quickly and easily, is also of wooden construction and plywood-covered, and is heavily tapered, giving the machine an aspect ratio of 7.75 to 1. The undercarriage, which, as already mentioned, is retractable, is one of the type so arranged that the wheels and undercarriage struts disappear completely when retracted. By means of a winding-up gear, two sides of this undercarriage are raised straight outwards, and, in the "up" position, the wheels are housed in recesses in the wings, each recess being completely covered by a fairing which is permanently attached to the inside of each wheel.

BRITISH KLEMM "EAGLE"
D.H. "GIPSY SIX," 200 H.P. ENGINE.

   Span 39 ft. 3 in. (11,9 m)
   Aspect ratio 7.75 to 1
   Wing area 200 sq. ft. (18,6 m2)
   Gross weight 2,400 lb. (1 088,6 kg)
   Tare weight 1,510 lb. (084,9 kg)
   Wing loading 12 lb./sq. ft. (58,6 kg/m2)
   Power loading 11.7 lb./b.h.p. (4,3 kg/hp)

Flight, April 1936

MODERN LIGHT AIRCRAFT REVIEWED

BRITISH AIRCRAFT

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   In a different category, though also a low-wing monoplane, is the Eagle, a three-seater cabin machine with a D.H. Gipsy Major engine and a retractable undercarriage. Work by Rumbold has made the latest version of the Eagle one of the quietest cabin machines on the market, and it is, withal, comfortable and easy to fly. During last season it was successful in a number of races in this country, and it will be remembered that this machine put up a temporary record for the South Atlantic crossing.
   As in the case of the Swallow, the Eagle is of all-wood construction, the wings being capable of folding to reduce storage space. The retractable undercarriage is manually operated by means of an easily turned handle on the pilot's right and, until it is in the down position, the throttle cannot be fully closed. Retracting takes a matter of seconds.
   Although still in the experimental stage, the new Double Eagle may be mentioned as a machine which is likely to be of interest to the private owner as well as to the small airline operator. Primarily a high-wing monoplane, with all its advantages in the matter of passenger view, the Double Eagle will exhibit a number of interesting control and constructional features.
   The specification of the Eagle is as follows: Span folded, 14ft. 10in.; length, 26ft.; weight empty, 1,450 lb.; disposable load 950 lb.; maximum speed, 148 m.p.h.; cruising speed, 130 m.p.h.; landing speed. 45 m.p.h.; initial rate of climb, 700 ft./min.; range at cruising speed, 650 miles. Price, ?1,250. Makers: The British Aircraft Mfg. Co., Ltd., Hanworth Aerodrome, Feltham, Middlesex.

Flight, March 1938

British light aircraft

BRITISH AIRCRAFT

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   In a very different class is the B.A. Eagle, which had the distinction of being the first British light aeroplane to be fitted with a retractable undercarriage. This distinction was, in fact, a rather doubtful one, since at the time such an arrangement was looked upon with some unreasonable doubt by the prospective private owner. Last year a model was produced with a fixed and faired under­carriage for the benefit of those who shirked the slight responsibilities involved in retraction.
   The cabin arrangements are in the usual three-seater form, with the pilot by himself in front and the two passengers side-by-side behind. The cabin itself is well windowed and very carefully soundproofed, so that at cruising speed the Eagle is certainly one of the quietest machines in its class.

   SPECIFICATION: Span folded, 14ft. 10in.; length, 26ft.; all-up weight. 2,400 lb.; weight empty, 1,450 lb.: maximum speed, 148 m.p.h.; cruising speed. 130 m.p.h.; landing speed, 45 nt.ph., initial rate of climb, 700ft./min.; range, 650 miles; price £1,230. Makers: British Aircraft (Sales), Ltd., Hanworth Aerodrome, Feltham. Middlesex.