MORE AIRLINERS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 29, 3 August 1933, Page 11

MORE AIRLINERS

R.A.F. AMPHIBIANS

FLYING-BOATS WITH WHEELS

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

LONDON, June 1,

New three-engincd monoplanes intended for "special charter" flights have been ordered by Imperial Airways from the Wcstland Company, following tho inauguration of au aeroplane service between Cardiff aud Plymouth. This new air route, operated by the Great Western Eailway and the first air line to bo run. by a railway company in this country, employs a "Wessex" monoplane chartered from Imperial Airways. A new machine was supplied to fill the gap, and a second is being built in tho Wcstland factory. Both of tho new craft fulfil the requirements of tho specification laid down by the air transport company when tho first order for the typo was placed in 1930. They aro fitted to carry a pilot and five passengers m a comfortable cabin. Three Armstrong Siddeley 140 h.p. "Genet Major" engines supply tho power; thus equipped the machine cruises at 105 m.p.h. and has a maximum speed of 118 m.p.h., while carrying a pay-load of nearly halt a ton and fuel for four hours. O.he power rescrv-o ia considerable. If any one of tho three motors stop while in flight, tho'machine will fly efficiently with full load on board on the power of the remaining engines. In that emergency the "Wessex" can maintain flight at speeds up to 98 miles an hour, and climb to 6000 feet. With full power available tho aeroplane's "ceiling" is 12,700 feet. The Westland works have prepared plans for a slightly modified "Wessex which will carry two additional passengers. The gross weight of the maebmc is increased from 6000 to 6300 pounds and luggage compartment is slightly curtailed, but there is no reduction in rango and cruising speed. If Townend resistencc-lesscnhig rings be fitted around the engine attainable speed is increased by approximately 4 miles an hour. Like tho six-seater version, the eiglit-seatcr "Wessex" is readily convertible for, uso as a freighter. AMPHIBIANS FOR K.A.F. Important economies are expected from the employment of amphibious aeroplanes in tho place of flying-boats for the training of Koyal Air Force pilots in navigation and the handling of marine aircraft. Last autumn the Air Ministry decided to place a considerable order for Saro "Cloud" amphibious monoplanes; the decision marked a departure from established practice, because the order was the first the Ministry had placed for a number of amphibious craft. Four machines have already been delivered to the seaplane base at Calshot, eight more arc on order. The flying-boat which is not fitted with amphibious landing gear demands the services of motor-boat patrols and a. body of mechanics to handle the tackle whenever it is taken down to the water or housed again at tho «nd of a flight. The men, who work in wading suits and are often immersed up to the shoulder for long periods, have a most arduous and sometimes even dangerous job. In cold weather the work is especially trying, and a. generous ration of rum is Tcally needed. The adoption of the amphibious boats saves all this labour, and releases men for other and less exhausting work. The amphibian, trundles on its wheels from .the hangar and down the slipway into tre water. Crew, fuel, and other load are already on board. Once in the water, the pilot raises the wheels and takes off along the surface of the water on the flying-boat hull. At the return a similar process reversed brings tho machine right back to the hangar without tho services of a single "handler" having been required. This arrangement is ideal for instructional work; naturally, there are other factors which call for thought in deciding on the correct kind of flying-boats for actual servicie duties and for «11 of them tho amphibian is not suited. FLYING CLASS-KOOM. The "Cloud" is powered with two Armstrong Siddeley 340 h.p. "Serval" air-cooled motors, carried in streamlined nacelles above tho wings and cncowlcd with resistance-reducing rings. The interior is fitted up as a class-room in which six or. eight pupils can receive practical instruction in aerial navigation. In the fore part of the hull is a pilot's cockpit, fitted with complete side-by-side dual control. One of the pilots' seats is occupied by tho instructor, the other by each of the. pupils in rotation.. This arrangement enables a great deal of. useful instruction to be given in a short time. Up to the present the "Cloud" is the largest of the family of amphibious flying-boats produced by the SaundersRoe Company. The smallest is the little "Cutty Sark" four-seater; the largest contemplated when the scheme was first under consideration was a giant with a] fully laden weight of thirty tons. Tlio "Cloud," fully loaded, weighs more than four tons. The keel of the next member of the family, which will be considerably bigger than tho "Cloud," lias been laid down recently. !