GB546587A - Improvements in or relating to heavier-than-air aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

546,587. Aircraft carrying auxiliary aircraft. BURNEY, Sir C. D. Aug. 9, 1941, No. 10155. [Class 4] An aircraft, which may be an amphibian or an aeroplane solely for use over sea or land, carries within its main plane a series of auxiliary aircraft which can be launched or re-secured during the flight of the main machine, the auxiliary aircraft having rear propellers as described in Specification 546,588 which remain outside the trailing edge of the wing and may assist in the propulsion of the carrier machine when necessary. As shown, the aircraft comprises a main wing upon a D-shaped spar 2 at the leading edge extending from tip to tip. Two booms 4, secured to the spar 2, support the tail planes, and beneath each boom is pivoted at 29 a float 12 connected to the machine by a shock-absorber 27. Compartments 14 in each float accommodate retractable wheels 13. The upper ends of the compartments are closed, and means for admitting compressed air to drive out any water that may enter may be provided. A structure 25 at the top of the float moves within a fairing 26 beneath the wing. The floats contain the crew's quarters and companion ladders 30, 31 give access to the wing. The pilot's cabin 10 is at the centre of the wing, and engine nacelles 3 are built on to the spar 2. Gun turrets 27, 32 are provided at opposite ends of each float, two further turrets 34 at the ends of the, booms, and a turret 35 behind the pilot's cabin. Four auxiliary aeroplanes are shown with low wings 40, Fig. 8, fitting into recesses shaped to receive them beneath the main wings. Each auxiliary aeroplane has a hook 49, Fig. 14, adapted to engage a trapeze 48 carried by a braced structure 43-movable into and out of the wing by a jack 45. When the hook has engaged the trapeze, two steadying frames 51 are moved by a jack 50 to engage the upper surface of the auxiliary aircraft, after which it is drawn up into the wing. Instead of engaging the trapeze directly, a cable carrying a ring may be paid out, a paravane holding the ring at a fixed depth below the aircraft. When the hook of the auxiliary aircraft has engaged the ring it is drawn up by the cable into engagement with the trapeze. Bombs and torpedoes are carried in the central portion of the wing.