F.B.A. Type 21

Пятиместный F.B.A. Type 21 представлял собой коммерческий вариант самолета Type 19. Всего были построены семь таких самолетов-амфибий, которые получили официальное обозначение HMT.5. Изначально пилот располагался в открытой кабине, размещенной на уровне передней кромки нижнего крыла, тогда как четыре пассажира размещались в закрытой кабине, находившейся позади крыльев. В июле 1935 года были построены три F.B.A. Type 21, из которых два самолета были модификацией Type 21/1 и оснащались двигателями Hispano-Suiza мощностью 450 л.с. (336 кВт), а третий - модификацией Type 21/2, оснащавшейся двигателем Lorraine. Самолеты приняли участие в престижных гонках "Grand Prix des Hydravions de Transport", проводившихся в Сан-Рафаэле в сентябре 1925 года. Самолет Type 21, пилотируемый Паумье, стал победителем гонок, но другая машина, оснащенная двигателем Hispano-Suiza и пилотируемая Лапортом, потерпела катастрофу над морем. Впрочем, коммерческих заказов на F.B.A. Type 21 не последовало. Дополнительно были построены самолеты Type 21/1 HMT.5 (с двигателем Hispano-Suiza), летающая лодка HT.5 (с двигателем Gnome-Rhone Jupiter) и трехместный самолет Type 21/4 HT.3 (с двигателем Lorraine).


ТАКТИКО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКИЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ

   F.B.A. Type 21

   Тип: четырехместный гражданский самолет-амфибия
   Силовая установка: один 12-цилиндровый V-образный ПД Hispano-Suiza 12Ga мощностью 450 л. с. (356 кВт)
   Летные характеристики: макс. скорость 190 км/ч; практический потолок 4400 м; дальность 600 км
   Масса: пустого 1820 кг; максимальная взлетная 2840 кг
   Размеры: размах крыльев 15,40 м; длина 10,56 м; высота 4,20 м; площадь крыльев 53,50 м2

Flight, December 1926

The Paris Aero Show 1926

SCHRECK - F.B.A.

   THE F.B.A. Company (Louis Schreck, constructeur) is the oldest seaplane constructing firm in France, and one which has specialized on flying-boats ever since 1912. Since the war a very satisfactory retractable landing gear for flying-boats has been developed, and this can be fitted to all the F.B.A. types of flying-boat save the school machine.
   The exhibit of the company consists of an F.B.A. type 21 HMT-6 transport amphibian flying-boat, which is fitted with a 450 h.p. Lorraine-Dietrich engine. It was this type of machine which won the Grand Prix des Hydravions de Transport of 1925 and which established the world's seaplane altitude record with 1,000 kg. of ballast.
   The F.B.A. 21, which is shown in the accompanying photographs with the retractable landing gear removed, is a single-bay biplane flying-boat of particularly clean and pleasing lines, the excellent streamlining of the hull and of the engine nacelle being specially worthy of note. The construction is of the conventional type, incorporating a multiply-planked, hull and wire-braced timber wing frames. The interplane and engine struts are likewise of timber, but the cabane, as well as the wing-tip float and tail-plane bracing struts, are of steel tubing. The wings and the tail surfaces, with the exception of the vertical fin, are fabric covered. The vertical fin, which is built integral with the hull, is covered with plywood.
   The F.B.A. 21 (the initials H.M.T. meaning hydravion mixte de transport) shown at the Salon will be equipped as a transport seaplane accommodating four passengers in an open cockpit behind the bottom wing - a position which most passengers will undoubtedly prefer to that given them on most other flying-boats where they are seated in the bows and so contribute to the shock absorbing qualities of the machine in case of a crash. The pilot's cockpit, containing two seats with dual control, is located flush with the leading edge of the bottom wing, where he is afforded an excellent range of vision.
   Specification.- Engine, 450 h.p. Lorraine-Dietrich; span (top wing), 15-40 m.; span (bottom wing) 14-40 m.; length, 10-56 m.; height, 4-20 m.; wing chord, 1-90 m.; interplane gap, 2-40 m.; total wing area, 53-5 sq. m.; weight empty, 1,820 kg.; weight of fuel, 423 kg.; weight of crew (2), 160 kg.; pay load, 437 kg.; weight loaded, 2,840 kg.

Official Performances (S.T.Ae. Tests)
   Altitude 1,000 m. 2,000 m. 3,000 m. 4,000 m.
   Speed, km.p.h. 186 181 175 168
   Climb, mins.: 5 mins. 30 secs. 14 mins. 30 secs. 30 mins. 56 mins.
   Service ceiling. 4,400 m.; range in still air, 600 km. unstick time on water, 22 secs.; unstick time on land, 18 secs.
   The F.B.A. 21 can also be equipped as a reconnaissance bomber or as an ambulance seaplane. In the latter form the machine accommodates in addition to the crew two stretcher cases and a hospital attendant.


   THE machine exhibited by this firm (incidentally when the Company was founded the initial letters signified Franco-British Aviation Co.) is a single-engined amphibian flying-boat fitted with 450 h.p. Lorraine-Dietrich engine. The machine is of familiar F.B.A. design and construction, and it may be pointed out that it was this type which won the prize for commercial seaplanes in 1925 and a similar type established a world's altitude record carrying a load of 1,000 kg.
   The F.B.A. 21 H.M.T.6 is unusual in so far as it is a commercial machine with the four passengers accommodated in an open cockpit behind the wings. This position of the passengers is undoubtedly one of the safest which it was possible to arrange for, but one would expect the open cockpit to be rather draughty, especially as the tips of the tractor airscrew come down almost to the deck in front, so that there will probably be a considerable amount of slip stream felt even aft of the wings. Otherwise the arrangement seems to have much to recommend it. The cockpit for the pilot and navigator is situated ahead of the wings, and the large windscreen fitted is probably by no means an unnecessary part of the equipment. The machine is otherwise of normal design, and the only feature which calls for comment is the retractable undercarriage. The details of this are shown in a sketch. The undercarriage legs, which are in the form of multi-ply wood formers, are hinged to the sides of the boat hull and are raised towards the wings by means of cables passing inside the lower plane. When the pilot turns a shaft in the cockpit the wheels are lowered towards the side of the boat, where they are locked in position by means of a form of bayonet joint, the shape and arrangement of which are shown in the sketch. This type of retractable undercarriage has been in use on F.B.A. machines for several years, and it is understood that it can be fitted to any of the firm's machines with the exception of the school types.