AEROPLANE DESIGN IN RUSSIA1942 Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
doi: 10.1108/eb030909
THE article by MR. J. H. STEVENS we publish this month on the machines in use by the Red Air Force is the third that has appeared in AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING on types of aeroplanes designed and built in Russia since the early days of the experiments of IGOR SIKORSKY. The three together constitute a history of aviation development in that country from 1911 down to the present day, such as has not appeared anywhere else. Only the first of the three, published in 1935, was obtained from a Russian source, the second, published in 1939 also from the pen of MR. STEVENS being based to some extent on information given in a French publication, while the present article is largely compiled from accounts that have appeared in the German journal Luftwissen, from which all the photographs, save one, are reproduced.
Soviet Military AeroplanesHay Stevens, James
1942 Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
doi: 10.1108/eb030910
THE spread of the war to the East in the summer of 1941 has disproved the opinions of Russian aeroplanes that were widely held outside that country and, at the same time, it has shown that the progress in design, which started to be apparent between 1925 and 1930, has been steadily maintained. In a previous article an outline of the Soviet aviation system, together with details of some of the then more modern designs, was given for the period up to 1939. Exact information about Russian aeroplanes is still hard to obtain, but what can be discovered bears out the conclusions given in this earlier article.
Research Reports and Memoranda1942 Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
doi: 10.1108/eb030912
Owing to the number of variables to be taken into account in calculating the exposure time in aerial photography, an attempt was made to devise apparatus to determine the optimum exposure time automatically. It was found that ordinary, commercial photoelectric exposure indicators gave results favourable only for oblique views from less than 2,000 m. A series of tests was carried out to determine the optimum exposure time as a function of all the conditions emulsion sensitivity, aperture, altitude, light and atmospheric conditions. Four Lcica cameras, mounted in one unit so that any factor could be varied, were used to collect data over a period of twelve months. Based on this experience, a simple but robust, rotating indicator of the card type, constructed of two metal discs, was made and its construction, graduation and method of use arc described. Even with this indicator, successful photography is still too much dependent on the accuracy of the photographer's estimation of the light value, atmospheric purity, mist intensity, etc., and a more reliable exposure meter is described, consisting of a photoelectric cell, galvanometer, variable resistance and a system of disc indicators The principle is as follows the photoelectric cell, of which the field is limited to that of the photographic lens emits a current which is a function of the luminosity of the subject to be photographed. This current causes the galvanometer needle to be deflected. The needle is brought back to a suitably selected graduation by turning one of the indicator discs which turns the cursor of the variable resistance in the photoelectric cellgalvanometer circuit. The combinations of exposure period and aperture can then be read off. This apparatus and its components are described in detail, together with their graduation and method of use. A variation is also discussed for the case when it is desired to mount the indicator directly on the camera. A table gives correction factors for atmospheric conditions and altitude.
Torque on Engine MountingsGraham, C.D.; Tembe, N.R.
1942 Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
doi: 10.1108/eb030913
MODERN aeroplane design necessitates the use of high powered engines, frequently used in conjunction with large diameter airscrews and low reduction gear ratios. This, causes very high torque loads on the mounting, these loads often being greater than those due to any other causes. Obviously then, the distribution of these torque loads must be found accurately for they have an important bearing on the efficiency of the final design. The following analytical method of determining the distribution has been found both convenient and accurate.
Inspection of Bearing SurfacesTwelvetrees, W.N.
1942 Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
doi: 10.1108/eb030916
WHEN man invented the wheel, bearings were introduced into civilization and every machine since devised incorporates, in some form, means of sustaining a loaded member in motion by another fixed member. It is not surprising, therefore, that examination of bearings forms a high proportion of all engineering inspection and the phrase to look at the bedding of the bearing is probably one of the oldest in engineering practice. During recent years, particularly in the aircraft industry, developments have taken place in bearing design and bearing metals which require an inspection technique differing from conventional methods that served well when loadings were comparatively low and factors of safety high. Desirable clearances and surface condition of the earlier alloys will not answer at all well for some new bearing materials while on the other hand defects such as minor cracks, which were very dangerous in white metal, have been proved by experience to have little or no effect on some heavily loaded lead bronze bearings.
U.S. Patent Specifications1942 Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
doi: 10.1108/eb030918
In an arrangement of the character described, the combination with a main wing lying on one side of the fuselage, of a pair of rear Haps associated in laterally juxtaposed relationship with the trailing edge of said main wing, a forwardly disposed wing portion extending longitudinally of the main wing from a point adjacent its outer end, along a substantial portion of its length and forming a slot between the upper and lower surfaces thereof, said slot extending well along the wing expanse covered by both flaps, a passage within the wing substantially coextensive and parallel with said slot, a separate opening from said passage through the wing surface adjacent each respective flap, and means within the wing for exhausting air through one of said openings and discharging it through the other.