GB627953A - An improved aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

627,953. Aircraft ; amphibious vessels. MERRICKS, G. A. Sept. 9, 1947, Nos. 24732/47 and 26148/48. [Classes 4 and 113 (ii)] An amphibian aircraft adapted for underwater travel comprises a buoyant hull, which can be ballasted from ambient water, and wings of adjustable span. A passenger or freight carrying compartment 11 is supported within and radially spaced from a wall 12 of the main structure and is separated by bulkheads 13 from power units 14 which drive propellers 15 through axially extensible shafts for aerial propulsion. For underwater propulsion the propellers 15 are retracted and water screws 43 are driven from the engines 14 to promote a flow of water through the annular space between the wall 12 and the compartment 11. A plurality of lifting propellers 21 are driven by a power unit 23 and may be used either to provide additional lift when the craft is airborne or, when reversed, to assist the craft to dive under submarine conditions. The blades of the propellers 15 and 21 are telescopic to permit retraction within the structure. To enable the craft to travel on the land retractable wheels 35 are provided and are driven by integral compressed air motors. A skid member is provided to support the craft over marshy ground and comprises a two part shell supported in external circumferential guides 33, so that they can be moved upwardly to expose a tank 42 which may provide buoyancy for surface water travel and ballast for under water travel. The wings of the aircraft (Figs. 3, 4, not shown) comprise a plurality of telescoping sections adjustable either to suit airborne or submarine conditions.