OPEN-SEA PATROL.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19893, 23 May 1936, Page 26 (Supplement)

OPEN-SEA PATROL.

LONG-RANGE FLYING-BOAT. NEW MILITARY' MACHINE. Carrying a permissible overload of fuel the Saunders—Roe London flyingboat, which is replacing older craft in the service of the Royal Air Force. has a range in calm air of 1740 miles. Loaded to the “normal" limit its range is 1100 miles. cruising at 115 m.p.h. on the power of two Bristol Pegasus moderately supercharged engines. Even the “normal” range puts such significant flights as EnglandGibraltar non-stop well within the compass of the machine. Great structural strength, seaworthiness and simplicity of construction were cardinal points in design—ing the London, which is an all-metal biplane intended for “general purpose" flying over water and on coastal patrol. The hulls are being built in the immense new Saunders-Roe shed at Cowes, and the wings by the Boul-ton-Paul company at Norwich. The hull is built of a light metal which consists in a sandwich of duralumin between two layers of pure aluminium. There is plenty of room within the capacious hull and comfortable ac—commodation for the five members of the crew, who will frequently be detailed for cruises away from the base that may last for weeks at 'a time. Full provision is made for living on board, and sleeping bunks are installed. There is a cooking stove for the preparation of meals, and plenty of cupboard room for fod, cutlery and personal luggage. Defensive armament of the London includes three gun posts, one in the bows, on in the stern between the twin rudders, and a third amidships aft of the wings. In the bow is the bomber’s station. Separated from the bow compartment by the bulkhead with a sliding door is the pilots’ room, which is equipped with dual flying controls. Aft again is the oflicers’ wardroom, fitted with two bunks and the navigator’s table and equipment. This is succeeded by a large com‘partment with living accommodation for the crew, the engineer‘s instrument panel, and the radio apparatus Behind the crew’s compartment is the amidships gun station; the firing—step serves also as a work bench and is equipped with a vice. The cooking stove and cupboards are located alongside. Transport of Spares. Bunks, bedding and spare equip: ment of all kinds, including spare airscrews, are carried in the stowage hold just behind the amidships gun post. The hold leads to a narrow gangway which gives access to the gun station in the stern. Plainiy. the London afl‘ords plenty of spar-(-for useful load, a fact which is due ‘ largely to location of the. fuel tanks in ,the centre section of the top plane. ,leaving all of the interior of the hull available. Although high speed was not a prime factor in design, the London reaches speeds which a few years ago represented the limit of large flying-boat achievement. Its maxi—mum level spced, attained at a height of 6500 feet. is 135 m.p.h. Its service “ceiling” (defined as the height at which rate of climb has fallen to 100. rfeet a minute) is nearly 15,000 feet, Take—oil", with full “normal" load,: lasts only 18 seconds and the rate of} climb in the initial stages is 1000 feet‘ a minute. \Vith the permissible over— ‘ llaad of fuel for unusually long ‘ flights, the London weighs 22,0001b.,‘ just under ten tons. ‘