GB564280A - Improvements in seaplanes adapted for use as ocean-going surface craft - Google Patents

Abstract

564,280. Seaplanes. MARTIN, J. V. Jan. 14, 1941, No. 497. [Class'4] An ocean-going, normally water-borne seaplane comprises a horizontal main wing 1, having upturned ends as shown, mounted upon two boat hulls secured beneath the horizontal portion of the wing. Navigation tops 59, Fig. 13, serving also as machine gun posts, are supported by tripods from the main wing into which they can be lowered to lie flush with the upper surface before taking off for flight. Guns 48 are mounted where shown on the wings and are served by a hoist 46, Figs. 9 and 13, running on a track 47 provided with rack teeth. The hoist 46, which runs in a passage extending from side to side within the wing, servesalso for loading the cabins through hatches in the wing and upper decks of the cabins. The craft is driven by seven direct-coupled propellers 6 mounted on the front of the horizontal portion of the wing. When cruising on the sea, the boat bodies are additionally braced to the wing by struts 11 which can be withdrawn into the wing until flush with the undersurface for flight. The struts are moved in guides 13, 31, Fig. 6, by rack-and-pinion gear 14, 16, the spindle of the pinion 16 being driven by a belt 24 from an electro-motor 12 mounted on the strut. Initial movement of the spindle projects or withdraws round-headed bolts 22 to engage or withdraw from recesses in the guide 13 at its lower end. Similar bolts engage the guide 31, being moved by a second belt 33 extending from the motor 12. The bolt shanks have helical slots engaged by pins on the spindles rotated by the belts 24, 33. The strut is secured in its raised position by a spring bolt engaging, the inboard end of the strut, withdrawal of the bolt completing the circuit to the motor 12. The navigation tops 59, Fig. 13, are each hinged to two struts 60, 61 which are movable together by electro-motors and worm gear, and in the extended position each top is engaged by a third strut 62. When collapsed, the struts and folded platforms of the tops lie flush with the wing which has watertight recesses to take them. Spring-urged flaps close the recesses when the struts are raised. The strut 60 may have an internal ladder and an external hoist operated by an electro-motor and endless cable, and encloses the electric cable and other connections. A disappearing gun is mounted at the top of each hull upon a transversely hinged section 54, Fig. 10, rotatable by an electro - motor thereon. These sections are situated just behind the pilot's cabin position. Fuel tanks for surface cruising are provided in the hulls and have compressed air means for jettisoning the fuel in an emergency. Fuel tanks for use during flight are provided in the wing.