WORLD’S LARGEST AIRLINER

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14857, 20 December 1948, Page 5

WORLD’S LARGEST AIRLINER

127-TON BRISTOL BRABAZON

Weight Only 501 b. Over

Estimate

13 ; 500 Gallons Of Fuel To Be Carried The structure weight of the 127ton 8-engined Bristol Brabazon I trans-oceanic airliner, now approaching completion, has proved to be only 50 lb. more than the designer’s estimate. The operational requirement for which the aircraft is designed—the transport of 100 passengers non-stop between London and New York, necessitating carrying 12,500 gal’ons of fuel means that weight control is rf greater importance in the building of the Brabazon than for any other civil aircraft vet designed. First Flight Throughout construction the chief designer has insisted on rigid control of structure weight. The successful result has justified the extra work involved. Now externally and structually complete, the world’s largest airliner is expected to make its first flight early next year. Current activity is mainly concerned with the installation of engine controls, flight controls, hydraulic and electrical services and Pdght deck equipment. The greater part of 150 miles of electrical cable has already been installed. As each item and unit is fitted it must, of course, be tested and checked for faultless operation. Then will follow taxi-ing tests. Two Systems One of the biggest problems has been the designing, development and testing of a mechanical method of actuating the enormous control surfaces. For two years work has been proceeding on two systems — one hydraulic, one electric. Flight tests of the hydraulic system, fitted in a Lancaster bomber, have been very successful. The unique engine installations made necessary the building of a complete facsimile wing section of the Brabazon with one coupled pair of Centaurus engines and all fuel end oil systems and services installed, to investigate all the problems which might arise with the method of installation. The power units in this ground ri’g have run for nearly 200 hours since their first run in November, 1946. The Brabazon’s electrical supplies are generated by six alternators, with a power output which could supply the electrical needs of a small town.