FLYING BOAT CONSTRUCTION

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1931, Page 2

FLYING BOAT CONSTRUCTION

I E BRITISH SARO AT

FOR SEA PATROL

i.ONDON, Jan. 11

Modem British thought in flying boat construction is well exemplified in the Saro A 7. a. three-motored craft designed lor comstnl. reconnaissance and seat patrol, which, is one of four types now undergoing extensive official tests to decide which shall replace the well-tried twin-engined boats which form at present the bulk of Rioyal Air Force flying boat equipment.

The A 7 is among the larger niacnines produced in Great Britain weighing with full load on board nearly 11 tons, its upper wings measure y;om tip to tip 88ft. and the' maximum overall height is 2'in less than 19ft. Power is derived from three Jupiter air-cool-ed engines of approximately 500 h.p. each.

The machine is built entirely of metal and has accommodation for a crew of five men. Because it is intended for extended operations as a separate and ! self-contained unit, much thought, as in other modern British service flying boats, has gone to' the provision or satisfactory sleeping and cooking equipment. The range of the machine is remarkable, hut figures of performance may not yet be given. I In civil form the A 7 becomes a. luxurious vehicle for 21 passengers, with a- lofty and spacious main cabin, kitchen and refreshment buffet. Mails) and special goods are accommodated >r t ! a special hold behind the pilot’s c-ocks | pit. Aft of the navigator, who sit^ ■ witli the pilot on duty, is a containing wireless receiving and traps*, mitting apparatus, and a table on which the navigator may plot his course.

SEAWORTHINESS. Considerable gain in seaworthiness comes with the adoption of resquiplnne wing structure, in. which the upper plane is very much greater in span | than the lower plane. The fuel tanks are buried in the contour of the- big I upper plane, giving direct gravity feed to the engines), which are located in nacelles just below the centre of the plane. Improved aerodynamical efficiency is associated with the use of this big upper plane, while the small lower plane, because of its size, is less likely to suffer damage in a seaway than if the craft wore a biplane with both pairs of wings approximately equal in span. Incidentally the small, ness of the lower wings much reduces the area of the “walkways” needed on them for the crew and mechanics.