BRITISH AIR EFFICIENCY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19135, 2 October 1936, Page 7

BRITISH AIR EFFICIENCY

NEW FIGHTER BOMBERS

UNRIVALLED EXCELLENCE

LONDON, Sept. 19.

The Air Ministry has placed a largo production older for the new Uandley--I'age "52" lighter-bomber monoplanes, flu" sliced of which is not exceeded by the fastest single-sealer lighting 'planes in anv of the world's air forces.

The machine is typical of the tremendous efficiency and unrivalled military excellence of' the new British war 'planes which have boon produced by designers working in a new, encouraging atmosphere. . The "ski" is characterised by great load capacity, flying range and astonishing case and 'power of "manoeuvre ability." It is twin-enginei), with wings joining an unusually slim, deep fuselage at the middle height of the fuselage. The fore-part has become a deep, narrow, ilatsided metal case, containing accommodation for the craw and military load. Calculations show that the fore-part creates' only half the "drag" that would he caused ii it were turned sid'ewisc. Another advantage of this ''Hying suitcase" design is that the engines me placed close together, with the result that if one fails during flight its twin is not seriously disturbed. The cantilever wings taper sharply towards the tips and are 'fitted with the latest-type slots, slotted 1 'laps giving the craft an exceptionally wide speed range and enabling ii to' operate in and on! of small aerodromes such as are used on active service. . , An enclosed gunnel's post and pilot s compartment are situated forward, another below the wings enabling gunners lo sweep the rearward hemisphere, Tliere is Hius practically an unrestricted field of lire.

Power' is provided by I'.ristol "Pegasus" air-cooled motors, supercharged. exceeding 9CO h.p. The construction of the first of the new machine', has created a production record, illustrating the amazing- progress of the armaments "speed-up." Workmen started the erection of the framework on June 16 and completed it on .Inne 10. Tf was ready for official inspection on June 20. The engines ran in their first- flight on June 22 and passed Hie official (rials with flying colours.