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Страна: Великобритания

Год: 1912

A.Jackson De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 (Putnam)

Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2

   This was an improved aeroplane powered by a 50 h.p. Gnome, similar to the F.E. 1 in its final form, but fitted with a sesquiplane tail unit and a wood and canvas nacelle with two seats. On its first outing at Farnborough on August 16, 1911 it taxied only 50 yards before a piston broke up and the pieces were ejected through an exhaust port but, at 6.30 a.m. on August 18, Geoffrey de Havilland successfully flew it the short distance to Laffan's Plain and made four landings. Tail heaviness made gliding difficult but with more than 50 lb. of lead in the nose it flew well although this was later reduced when a monoplane tail unit was fitted.
   On December 6, 1911 de Havilland flew the F.E.2 to Shrewton, near Larkhill, and after lunch returned to Farnborough having covered 100 miles in 2 3/4 hours flying time and, following a 'height test' to 1,900 ft. before the official observer, Capt. Burke, on December 23, qualified for the Royal Aero Club's Special Aviator's Certificate.
   The aircraft was persistently right wing low but, after repeated rigging adjustments, was taken over to Fleet Pond where the wheels were removed, the skids were bolted to a single, shallow-draught float, and tail and wing tip floats fitted. First flights from the water, totalling 3/4 hr., were made by de Havilland on April 12,1912 but, with the drag of the float, 50 h.p. was not enough and the F.E.2 went back to Farnborough where the original engine was replaced by a 70 h.p. Gnome. It first flew with this engine on April 26 and was flown to the Pond next day for the float to be refitted. With extra power, water take-offs with pilot and passenger were quite good and the aircraft then went on to enjoy a comparatively long career on both wheel and float undercarriages.
   It was employed later in 1912 for trials with a Maxim machine gun mounted in the nose and in 1913 was extensively reworked with 70 h.p. Renault Vee 8 engine, streamlined nacelle, new outer wing panels which increased the span to 42 ft., tailplane raised to the top longerons, and a smaller rudder. In this form it resembled the larger and later F.E. types which were built in quantity.
   During a trip to the South Coast piloted by Royal Aircraft Factory test pilot Ronald Kemp on February 23,1914, it spiralled into the ground from 500 ft. at West Wittering, seven miles from Chichester, Sussex, due it was said, to the absence of fixed fin area to offset the increased keel surface of the new nacelle. Passenger E. T. Haynes, a civilian scientist at the Factory, was killed and the aircraft destroyed.

SPECIFICATION AND DATA
   Construction: By the Royal Aircraft Factory, Farnborough, Hants.
   Power Plants:
   One 50 h.p. Gnome
   One 70 h.p. Gnome
   One 70 h.p. Renault
   Dimensions:
   Span 33 ft. 0 in. (increased to 42 ft. 0 in. in 1913)
   Length 28 ft. 0 in. Wing area 340 sq. ft.
   Weights: All-up weight 1,200 lb.
   Performance: Maximum speed 47.5 m.p.h.

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Описание:

  • A.Jackson De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 (Putnam)
  • P.Hare Royal Aircraft Factory (Putnam)
  • H.King Armament of British Aircraft (Putnam)
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  • P.Lewis British Aircraft 1809-1914 (Putnam)
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