AIR TRANSPORT NEWS
Page 57
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Airspeed Twin-engined Monoplane on the Way.
Airspeed, Ltd., Portsmouth Airport, is producing a new twin-engined monoplane, type AS?, on the lines of the Courier, described in this paper on August 4. With two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah 300 h.p. radial air-cooled engines and an all-up weight of 6,l00 lb., it is estimated that the AS7 will have a cruising speed of 170 m.p.h. The cabin will have space for nine passengers and the pilot, and behind it will be a large compartment for luggage. An alternative engine equipment is the Wolseley AR.9 185 b.h.p. unit. The AS7 is a low-wing monoplane, and has similar wheel-retracting gear to that employed in the Courier ASS model.
New Wrightson and Pearse Dragon.
Messrs. Wrightson and Pearse, Heston Airport, have taken delivery of their new Dragon, Aeolus, intended for charter service. It is finished in cream and chocolate.
This Week's Wireless Installations, The Airwork, Ltd., service department at Heston Airport is carrying out three radio installations on large aeroplanes. Two of the machines are Ford motors, one being the new acquisition of British Air Navigation Co., Ltd., referred to in our issue for last week. The other Ford belongs to Mr. A. E. Guinness. The third is an Airwork Dragon which Mr. It. 0. I. Manta (brother of the Airwork managing director) is taking out to Misr-Airwork, S.A.E., Cairo. The three radio sets arc of Marconi make.
The New Imperial Liners.
The first of two new four-engined Scylla-class biplanes being built by Short Brothers (Rochester and Bedford). Ltd., for Imperial Airways, Ltd., will he assembled in the open on the new Rochester aerodrome, and will probably be flying some time in January. The Scylla type is virtually a land version of the Scipio (Kent class) fourengined type of flying boat at present working on the Brindisi-Alexandria section of the Empire routes. The machines will have three cabins, seating 39 passengers (or with a load of 1,650 lb. freight and mails, about 33 passengers), and the loaded weight is to be more than 14 tons, the top speed being about 130 m.p.h. and the cruising speed about 108 m.p.h. Like the flyingboat prototype, the biplane will have its lower wing about level with the cabin roof. Four Bristol Pegasus engines, totalling 2,220 b.h.p., are to be fitted in nacelles between the wings. The span will be 113 ft., the length 77 ft. and the height 29 ft.
New Bristol Sleeve-valve Radial Engine.
The Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd., Filton House, Bristol, has produced a nine-cylindered air-cooled radial engine called the Perseus, similar in general arrangement to the Pegasus, but having sleeve valves instead of overhead poppet valves. On such an engine the company, with the active support of the Air Minis
try, has been working for eight years, and a complete engine was constructed so long ago as 1932 and was run for some hundreds of hours on the bench. In July, 1933, a most satisfactory 100 hours' type test was made, this being the first engine type-tested at the Bristol works without any adjustment, even the removal of sparking plugs. Afterwards a 50 hours' weak-mixture test and a 50 hours' high-power test were successfully completed.
The engine has a capacity of about 25 litres and has given a higher power output with lower fuel and oil consumption than ever experienced on an overhead poppet-valve engine of similar type. The unit is at present undergoing flight trials and giving satisfaction, and the company attaches great importance to the new valve system.
Bristol Aerodrome: Financial Position.
The economy committee of Bristol Corporation reports that the ordinary expenditure on_the aerodrome has been £2,392; adding £2,295 for loan charges, the total is £4,687. This has been met by a general income of £1,107 and local rates £3,580. The aerodrome is managed on the council's. behalf by the Bristol and Wessex Aeroplane Club, Ltd. The committee has raised a number of questions with the airport committee as to its expenditure and the arrangements made with the club. The corporation pays the club an annual sum of £520 in respect of management expenses, the club providing a manager, clerk, chief ground engineer and assistants.
A New Gyroplane Company.
Kay Gyroplanes, Ltd., is a new company registered at Edinburgh for the purpose of developing and marketing a new type of gyroplane invented by Mr. David Kay, Blackford, Perthshire. It is said that the new machines are likely to be placed on the market early in the new year, and the company has opened an office in London.
Imperial Airways' New Paris Office.
Imperial Airways, Ltd., has relinquished its arrival and departure station in the Hotel Bohy-Lafayette, Paris, and taken better premises at Airway Terminus, Rue des Italiens.
Gloucester Cheltenham: An Aerodrome Move.
Gloucester Corporation has now agreed to negotiate jointly with Cheltenham Corporation for the purchase of land at Staverton Bridge for the establishment of a joint aerodrome, provided that the maximum cost for interest and sinking-fund charges to each corporation shall not exceed the sum of £250 per annum.
de Havilland Moving to Hatfield.
It is anticipated that the offices and works departments of the de Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd., with the exception of the engine-manufacturing section, will, by next October, have been moved from Edgware to the new site just north of Hatfield Aerodrome. At present about 1,200 workers are employed, and 800 to 900 of these have gradually to be transferred. The Hatfield site, including the aerodrome, occupies 350 acres. .
Hilhnan's Paris Figures Up.
Traffic figures on the daily RomfordParis service of Hillman's Airways, Ltd., keep steady, and the week to December 1 was rather better than previous weeks, 62 single-journey passengers having been carried. On DeCeMber 1 a special night flight was made to Plymouth.to fetch Mr. J. A. Mollisor.. and four other passengers to Heston. One of the Dragons was used.
Stornoway Advocated for Atlantic Line.
Mr. T. B. W. Ramsay, M.P., for the Western Isles, has put before Sir Philip Sassoon the claims of Stornoway .as link in the projected trans-Atlantic air service. The reply of the Air Minister has been communicated to the council, in which he states that proposals have not yet taken concrete form, but that Stornoway will receive due consideration.
Data of the Leopard Moth.
Data relating to the Leopard Moth produced by the de Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd., Edgware, as a development of the well-known Puss Moth, are 320w available. The machine was referred to in our issues dated April 21 and July 14. It is a high-wing cabin monoplane with a single Gipsy Major engine, and with a normal all-up weight of 1,850 1.1).. its top speed is 141.5 m.p.h. and its cruising speed 120 m.p.h., the petrol consumption at the latter speed being about 5.9 gallons per hour, equal to 20.4 m.p.g. Comfortable accommodation is afforded in the cabin for the pilot and two passengers.
Redhill Site is for B.A.T.
Regarding last week's announcement in this paper that a new aerodrome near Redhill will probably be ready next summer, it is now stated that work will shortly commence on the site at Nutfield, and British Air Transport, Ltd., is to set up a flying school and new headquarters there for its air-taxi service.