NEW AIRLINERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23691, 24 December 1938, Page 13

NEW AIRLINERS

TO TRAVEL AT 300 M.P.H. FLIGHTS AT GREAT HEIGHTS (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, Nov. 24. New airliners, capable of maximum level speeds of nearly 300 m.p.h. and built for passenger transport in the attenuated air of the great heights, have been ordered by the Air Ministry from the Fairey Company, constructors of Naval Air Branch aeroplanes and the R.A.F. Battle bomber. Models of the new transport planes have been thoroughly tested in the new Fairey wind-tunnel, the largest privately owned wind-tunnel In the world. Research workers have obtained data for the basic design of the new aircraft. These will be fourengined low-wing monoplanes bui't entirely of metal to the " stressed-skin " formula, in which the external coverings of wings and fuselage carry mucn of the loads and stresses imposed oil the structure in flight. They will have four 1000 h.p. engines, each driving a constant-speed controllable-pitcn air-screw. Construction will start at once. The new airliners are scheduled for full production in 1940. Their specification embodies the operational experience of British Airways and other leading transport concerns. Long range, high speed, and big load capacity are cardinal points in design. Non-stop journeys between London and any European capital will be within the scope of the Fairey airliners. Their top speed will be approximately 275 m.p.h., and normal operational cruising speed, at a height of 10,000 feet above sea-level, will be 220 m.p.h. "Super-charged" cabins will enable passengers to travel in comfort at great heights, thereby enabling higher speeds to be achieved at levels unaffected by bad weather which may prevail lower down. "Tricycle" Landing Gear The aircraft, will carry 30 passengers and have a range of about 1000 miles. With full tanks and fewer passengers it will fly more than 1500 miles nonstop. A feature of design is the retractile " tricycle " undercarriage, which has a wheel at the nose of the fuselage instead of at the tail. Advantages claimed for the tricycle form are easier landings and preservation of the fuselage at all times in the horizontal position—an important detail in the comfort of passengers who may be sleeping when landings are made. The orthodox tail-wheoi arrangement means that the aeroplane must taxi over the ground with tho tail down, and the seats or berths consequently inclined at an angle.