GB723895A - - Google Patents

Abstract

723,895. Aircraft fuselages. FAIREY AVIATION CO., Ltd., and CHAPLIN, H. E. Jan. 2, 1953 [Jan. 2, 1952], No. 202/52. Class 4. An aircraft has a fuselage formed in two portions, a body portion and a nose portion, a pivotal'connection between the portions permitting the nose portion to be inclined relatively to the body portion from its normal flight position to a drooping nose position in which the pilot's lowest forward line of vision clear of the aircraft is inclined downwardly at a greater angle than in the normal-flight position, and actuating means arranged to move the nose portion from the drooping nose position to the normal flight position and to move the nose portion from the normal flight position to the drooping nose position. The fuselage 10 comprises a main portion 11 and a nose portion 12 hinged thereto at 18 so that it may be lowered as shown to improve the pilot's view during a nose-up landing. The operating mechanism consists of a jack 19, mounted on a fixed pivot 20 and operatively connected to a lever 21 fast with a transverse shaft 22. This shaft carries other arms 23 pivotally connected at 24 to links 25, these being attached at 26 to the nose portion 12. Movement of the jack 19 rocks the shaft 22 in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4 to break the toggle linkage 23, 25 and retract the portion 12 to its normal position. The operating mechanism is associated with normal actuating gear for a nose undercarriage 16 and doors 41 so that it is not moved until the landing elements are lowered, when the edge 42 of the portion 12 is free to enter the cavity exposed by the open doors. A cockpit may be housed in the portion 12 to move therewith or the nose portion may move alone so that the controls may be unaffected. The cockpit may be detachable from the nose portion and provided with a parachute. A locking mechanism (Fig. 5, not shown) for securing the portions 11 and 12 together in their normal positions is described.