FLYING BOATS FOR R.A.F.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22285, 11 June 1934, Page 12

FLYING BOATS FOR R.A.F.

NEW SQUADRON 15,000 MILES’ TRIAL FLIGHT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, April 26. A squadron of flying boats of No. 203 Squadron, from the Basra base, will represent the Royal Air Force in Australia at the time of the centenary celebrations, and will take part in evolutions in conjunction with the Royal Australian Air Force and the Navy. Once previously, in 1927-28, have R.A.F. boats flown in formation in Australian waters, when the squadron of “ Southampton ” biplane boats were engaged on the 28,000 miles’ cruise which, even to-day, still ranks as a supreme achievement iu long-distance formation flying. BO'ATS FOR THE R.A.F.

Prolonged trials in the Mediterranean preceded the Air Ministry decision to order a number of the new Vickers-Super-,marine “ Scapa ” flying-boats for the equipment of Royal Air Force squadrons. The “ prototype ” machine passed success- : fully through all of the tests imposed, and emerged*; with an officially approved reputation as faster, quicker in take-off, longer in range, and higher-climbing than any other flying-boat in the service. It is fitted with two Rolls-Royce 525/600 h.p. water-cooled engines. First serious flight of the machine was a 10-hours’ non-stop flight over the North Sea. Then it was prepared for a long trip in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. When it arrived back at Felixstowe it had flown 15.000 miles, mostly in long over-water flights. It began with a non-stop journey from Felixstowe to Bene, near Marseilles, and continued with a second “ hop ” to Malta, Port Sudan, returning home via Lake Timsah, the Gulf of Solium, Malta, Gibraltar, and St. Nazaire. Among the tests accomplished. was a take-off, climb, and subsequent flight on the power of one engine only. Each of the engines was changed while the machine was afloat; using special changing gear which is carried with the/ normal cruising equipment of the aeroplane. The aerodynamic and seaworthiness qualities Of the boat were proved to be excellent, and its metal hull showed no signs of corrosion after mooring out for periods aggregating hundreds ot hours. “ALL RED ” AIR ROUTES. Much valuable data were obtained in the trials, bearing on the potentialities of the modern flying boat in over-water patrol and reconnaissance. Its performance, greater than that of any comparable boat in the service, opens up fresh ways of employment; the long practical range, proved in so many flights, indicates that the craft is within measurable distance of providing that communication between England and the Mediterranean without need to alight in foreign territory which, has been one of the dreams of the strategists from the beginning of marine aviation. Carrying an overload of fuel, the “ Scapa ” should have no difficulty in Spanning the distance between . England and Gibraltar in one " hop.” Its capacity to continue in one stage to Malta, and in another on to Aboukir, is proved. Technically, it is a development of the “ Southampton ” class which, after nearly nine years, are still standard equipment of some R.A.F. squadrons. But it is vastly improved. Compared with, it, the, older craft like a bird cage of struts and wires. The “ Scapa ” is astonishingly "clean,” with only one pair of outboard struts on each side of the hull, the engines carried in streamlined nacelles, on the underside of the top plane, and the hull of the better aerodynamical form made possible by the years of research and experiment since the “ Southampton ” was designed. Seaworthy as is the “ Southampton,” the improved bow-shape of the “Scapa” has produced a machine which is still more efficient and “ cleaner ’’ under load and m heavy seas. COMPREHENSIVE EQUIPMENT.

it can be employed for reconnaissance and patrol, for bombing, for training in flying boat pilotage and navigation, and as a torpedo-transport aeroplane. its normal working crew consists in five men, who between them fly, navigate, and light the craft. Defensive armament is located in three cockpits, two of them aft of the main planes, each of which carries a machine-gun on a ring-mounting. A hinged, watertight door is built into the nose of the hull . for bomb-aiming. The pilots’ outlook is exceptionally good in all essential directions. Aft are the “ stations ” occupied by the navigator, engineer, and radio operator. Stowage is provided for a collapsible dinghy, an engine ladder, a maintenance platform, and a spare airscrew. There is sleeping accommodation for all, Hull and internal framework are composed of a light alloy which consists in a sandwich of duralumin between two thin layers of aluminium, and is notable for its resistance to corrosion. All main attachments and other important fittings are made of stainless steel. The big metal wings are, in accordance with normal British* practice, covered with fabric except for the leading edges, which are made of metal. Tail unit, rudders, and fins are made of light alloy. Two fuel tanks, each with capacity for 230 gallons, are located in the centre section of the top plane, whence fueljs supplied by gravity to the engines below them. For flight in unusual attitudes and with nearly empty tanks the gravity feed is assisted by pumps; should the pumps fail, fuel is by-passsed and an adequate head remains for normal flying. BOATS FOR THE NEW SQUADRON? Ease of maintenance was a point which received much study in the design. The maintenace platform included in the normal equipment gives easy access to every part of the engines, and the portable derrick makes possible substitution of a spare engine, which may be carried on the centre portion of the lower plane, for either power unit when the craft is afloat.

in his memorandum regarding the Air Estimates, Lord Londonderry stated that one new flying boat squadron would be formed and, later, sent overseas. Some of the “ Scapa" boats now building for the Ministry may make up its equipment.