Short N.2B Seaplane (1917)
Short N.2B was designed and produced by Short Bros Ltd. It was planned as the improved version of those seaplanes which were used during World War I. However, Short N.2B was presented only in 1917. Short N.2B was worked out as a powerful patrol bomber seaplane with one engine, two-bay wings, and two seats (Barnes 1967). According to the military characteristics, Short N.2B could use one 7.7mm machine-gun and two 100kg bombs which were carried under its fuselage. Moreover, Short N.2B Seaplane’s wingspan was 16.81 meters, length of 12.24 meters, and height 4.19 meters (Short N.2B).
It is interesting that initially, the manufacturers planned to use the Rolls-Royce Eagle engine. Nevertheless, it was ordered to use 260hp Sunbeam Maori I water-cooled in-line engine for the project of Short N.2B (Barnes 1967). Its engine and speed of 148 km/h were considered as the advantages of the seaplane (Short N.2B). However, the technical characteristics of Short N.2B Seaplane were checked only in 1918 (Barnes 1967).
When the manufacturers had analyzed the results of the test flights they decided to improve the project because the characteristics of Short N.2B were just the same as of the first versions of Short’s Seaplanes (Barnes 1967). Initially, there were developed two variants of the project. They were N66 and N67 (Short N.2B). The producers worked out the necessary improvements to Short N.2B Seaplane according to the results of their testing.
They saw the main problem of the seaplane in its not powerful engine (Barnes 1967). The next version was produced with the Rolls-Royce Eagle engine. However, the technical characteristics of the seaplane remained as they were in the previous model. Thus, there was no necessity in the further development of the project, and later Short N.2B Seaplane and its variations were mostly used for the researches and investigations of the designers and manufacturers in Britain (Barnes 1967).
Short N.2B is worth our proper examination because of the unique history of its creation. It was designed as a powerful patrol bomber. However, there was no opportunity to check its possibilities during military actions because of the constant process of the improvement of its technical characteristics. The study of the peculiarities of this seaplane gives us the chance to concentrate on the challenges of seaplane-producing in the period after World War I.
V-1 Flying Bomb (1944)
The V-1 can be considered as one of the most powerful bombs of this type in World War II which was designed by Robert Lusser and produced by Fieseler for the needs of Nazi Germany. “The V-1 was a pilotless monoplane that was powered by a pulse-jet motor and carried a one-ton warhead” (V-1 Flying Bombs). The appearance of this bomb on the war arena in 1944 had a great impact on the course of the military actions.
V-1 Flying Bombs were mostly created for the German attacks which were directed toward London. Thus, the V-1 “was launched from a fixed ramp and traveled at about 350mph and 4,000ft and had a range of 150 miles (240km). It was 8 meters (25 feet) long and had a wingspan of about 5.5 meters (20 feet)” (V-1 Flying Bombs). These characteristics of the V-1 Flying Bomb were the results of the process of a constant improvement of the project.
The first variant of the V-1 was planned with two engines. However, Robert Lusser developed the project, and now the V-1 had only one engine (V-1 Flying Bombs). The manufacturers used Argus As a 109-014 pulse jet engine for producing an effective flying bomb (V-1 Flying Bombs). To test the effectiveness of the V-1, there were worked out some first variants of the bomb. The designers and manufacturers were improving the technical characteristics of the V-1 and the possible tactics of its use according to the data of these tests during 1944-1945 (V1 Flying Bomb).
To have the opportunity to attack London and its suburbs successfully, Germany “launched its new weapon from Pas-de-Calais on the northern coast of France” (V-1 Flying Bombs). These attempts were taken in June of 1944 by Luftwaffe. The first ten attempts were not effective. However, the next ones gave their results. “These attacks created panic in Britain and between mid-June and the end of July; around one and a half million people left London” (V-1 Flying Bombs).
Moreover, “the V-1 was capable of killing large numbers of people, inflicting terrible injuries and causing huge material damage to buildings and homes” (V1 Flying Bomb). Even though the whole number of people who were killed by the V-1 was more than 6,000, “by August only 20 percent of these bombs were reaching England” (V1 Flying Bomb). Thus, the damage caused by these flying bombs was considerable.
The history of the development and use of V-1 Flying Bombs is worth examining because of the effects which were provided by the use of the V-1 for the course of the military actions between Germany and England during World War II. These effects depend on the peculiarities of the technical characteristics of V-1 Flying Bombs. Moreover, the V-1 Flying Bomb is characterized by unusual exterior and remarkable technical characteristics.
Vickers Valiant B.Mk.1 (1955)
The series of Valiant bombers was worked out during the 1940-1950s by the Vickers-Armstrongs in Britain. “The first of the RAF’s V-class bombers, the Valiant flew for the first time on 18 May 1951 and entered service with No. 138 Squadron early in 1955” (Vickers Valiant). Vickers Valiant was produced as a strategic long-range medium bomber and three versions of it were presented. “Three prototypes and 104 productions of the Valiant were built, the last of these being completed and flying on August 27, 1957” (Vickers Valiant).
The history of creating and improving the technical characteristics of Vickers Valiant is rather long. Thus, they were planned as main bombers which could present the nuclear force of the Royal Air Forces of Britain. However, they were developed greatly and their functions were changed. The first Valiant B.1 was produced at RAF Gaydon which was “re-opened to be the first V-Force base” after World War II (Vickers Valiant).
Thus, “the first of the new V-Bombers, the Vickers Valiant, entered service with No. 138 Sqn at RAF Gaydon, Warwickshire in January 1955. 138 moved to RAF Wittering and became fully operational in July 1955” (Vickers Valiant). The process of working out the powerful bomber was not finished. New versions of the improved Vickers Valiant were presented in the next years (Jones 2007). The most important advantages of the Valiant are using four Rolls-Royce Avon 204 turbojets and its ability to carry a 10,000-lb. nuclear bomb internally and 21 1,000-Ib. bombs (Vickers Valiant).
The power of Vickers Valiant was tested during the Suez Crisis when “the first Valiant of 138, 148, 207 and 214 squadrons were deployed to RAF Luqa in Malta” (Vickers Valiant). Vickers Valiant was used as one of the most significant military forces which were involved in the conflict. The attacks began in October of 1956 when there were the first attempts “to stop Egyptian and Israeli fighting around the Suez Canal” (Vickers Valiant). These airfield attacks were no occurring, and they “continued until 4 November, by which time the Egyptian Air Force had been decimated” (Vickers Valiant).
Vickers Valiant produced by the Vickers-Armstrongs presented the most significant nuclear forces of the Royal Air Forces of Britain during the 1950-1960s. That is why the process of their working out and developing requires our proper consideration. These aircraft were rather unique in their technical characteristics in that period and affected the development of some more similar bombers.
English Electric Lightning F.Mk.1 (1960)
The most significant aircraft of the period of the Cold War was English Electric Lightning F.Mk.1. “The only all-British supersonic aircraft to enter production, and the last all-British single-seat fighter, the English Electric Lightning defended United Kingdom air space for more than twenty-five years” (English Electric Lightning). It was first designed and produced by English Electric which later became part of the British Aircraft Corporation (McLelland 2009).
The technical characteristics of English Electric Lightning F.Mk.1 are worth our examination. All the versions of English Electric Lightning were constantly developed by the manufactures to gain the highest technical qualities. However, “almost canceled at one point, it suffered from chronic underdevelopment throughout much of its career and this adversely affected its export potential” (English Electric Lightning).
The first aircraft of this series was produced in July of 1948 as the result of a long research process and of working out the plan and its definite design. It was known as Project 1 (McLelland 2009). The next versions were produced during the next some years. They were characterized by high-speed qualities. “XM134 was the first full production Lightning F.Mk 1, making its first flight on 29 October 1959” (English Electric Lightning).
However, this version was also improved, and later the manufacturers presented their “F. Mk 1A version served with Nos.51 and 111 Sqns” (English Electric Lightning). The producers paid much attention to the improvement of the armament possibilities of the aircraft. Thus, the main advantages of English Electric Lightning F.Mk.1 are in such characteristics as using two engines of Rolls-Royce Avon 200R class, two 30 mm ADEN cannons, and Ferranti Al-23 radar (McLelland 2009).
English Electric Lightning F.Mk.1 was worked out for use by the Royal Arms Forces of Britain during the Cold War because of the threat of Russian bombers (McLelland 2009). Moreover, this aircraft was also widely used in numerous airshows. The latest variations of English Electric Lightning were used not only by the Royal Arms Forces of Britain but also by the Royal Saudi Air Force (McLelland 2009).
The history of developing the English Electric Lightning series and especially of English Electric Lightning F.Mk.1 is quite notable. This type of aircraft is prominent because of its high speed and remarkable metal exterior design which allows distinguishing it from the other aircraft successfully.
Schempp-Hirth Cirrus (1973)
Schempp-Hirth Cirrus is a great example of a glider that can be widely used for city needs. The most prominent variations of Schempp-Hirth Cirrus were produced during the period of 1970-1980s. Initially, Schempp-Hirth Cirrus was designed and built by Schempp-Hirth in Germany, and later it was produced according to the license in Yugoslavia (Schiff 2007).
The history of working out the glider and of its improvement is very long. Every year the manufacturers put some new modifications into the process of creating Schempp-Hirth Cirrus. The technical characteristics of Schempp-Hirth Cirrus are rather unique. The length of its wings firstly was planned as 17.74 meters, and in the next variations, this number was changed (Schiff 2007). Thus, the main advantages of Schempp-Hirth Cirrus models are in the improved wings, bigger airbrakes, and longer nose in comparison with the other projects (Hirschel, Prem and Madelung 2004).
The manufacturers also paid much attention to the development of Schempp-Hirth Cirrus’s tailplane (Schiff 2007). Moreover, Schempp-Hirth Cirrus was produced according to the standards of the first-class gliders. That is why it can be considered as the most comfortable variant for gliding in the sky of Europe with its mild climate (Schiff 2007). Its technical characteristics are as following: Schempp-Hirth Cirrus’s length is 7.20 meters, and its capacity is 98 kg water ballast. Furthermore, its rate of sink is 0.5 m/s, and there can be used airfoil FX 66-196/161 (Hirschel, Prem and Madelung 2004).
Schempp-Hirth Cirrus is very remarkable in its exterior with very long wings. Moreover, it can be characterized by quite notable technical qualities. It is also significant that despite the fact Schempp-Hirth Cirrus has a long history of its development its latest variations are still used for the city needs in Europe.
References
Barnes, C (1967) Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London, Putnam.
English Electric Lightning, n.d. Aeroflight. Web.
Hirschel, E, Prem, H, and Madelung, G (2004) Aeronautical research in Germany: from Lilienthal until today. New York, Springer.
Jones, B (2007) V-Bombers: Valiant, Vulcan, and Victor. Malborough, UK, Crowood Press.
McLelland, T (2009) English Electric Lightning: Britain’s first and last Supersonic Interceptor. Surrey, UK, Ian Allen Publishing.
Schiff, B (2007) Dream aircraft: the most fascinating airplanes I’ve ever flown. The USA, Aviation Supplies and Academics, Inc.
Short N.2B, n.d. Virtual Aircraft Museum. Web.
Vickers Valiant, n.d. Aviation: the first 100 years. Web.
V1 Flying Bomb, n.d. FlyingBombsandRockets. Web.
V-1 Flying Bombs, n.d. Spartacus Educational. Web.