Patent GB-150769-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to aeroplanes specially designed for long distance flights
IPC: B64C23/00
Filed: 1919-05-07
Abstract: 150,769. Fetch, M. T. May 7, 1919. Aeroplanes; planes, construction and arrangement of; cars and cabins. - An aeroplane comprises three fuselages A<1>, A<2>, A<3> with two sets of triplanes 1, 2 arranged in tandem, the middle plane D of each set serving as a corridor communicating with the fuselages. The fuselages are constructed of laminated ribs connected together by diagonal bracing and by longitudinal steel straps arranged inside and outside flush with the ribs, the inside and outside straps being riveted together, and the spaces between the ribs being filled in with panels. Upper and lower decks or floors fitted with seats PT arc provided in the fuselage as shown in Fig. 7, a roof covering in the top. The lower deck is divided into five spaces and four engine-rooms, but with a promenade from end to end. The upper deck is divided into four spaces having well-holes in the centre, staircases being provided at the engine-rooms. The corridor and other planes are constructed in the same way as the fuselages. Circular glass lights are fitted to the sides of the upper and lower decks and the roof of the fuselages and also along the top of the corridor planes. Hollow cornices FAF are fitted in the sides of the upper and lower compartments and along the corridor planes to convey draught from the propellers for ventilation purposes, and are fitted with louvers and open at their ends. The corridor planes are more or less trapezoidal in cross-section. Three longitudinal girder straps encased in oak may be fitted around each fuselage. Propelling.-Four propellers J are fitted in front of each corridor plane, four propellers H at the front corners of each fuselage, five propellers F enclosed in cylinders at the front of each fuselage, twelve lifting-propellers V over the engine-rooms, and twelve duplicate centrifugal propellers U under the engine-rooms. The four outer propellers of each group F are arranged somewhat behind the centre one and supply air to the underside of the main planes, two supplying the front, and two the rear planes. The air passes along flues M, Fig. 7, at the sides of the fuselages, and is projected from the upper side of half-round tubes extending along the underside of each plane. The centre propellers F are fitted with pressure gauges and serve to indicate the existence of air pockets. The lifting-screws V drive air down passages TT to the underside of an inverted pan Q, from which the air is drawn upwards by the centrifugal propellers U, which transmit it outwards to flues MFK, from which it passes under the main track T. The air flues are covered with bronze or copper sheeting or plywood. Engines are arranged as shown at E<1> in the side view, Fig 3. Tanks, arrangement of.-Petrol tanks PT are provided the whole, length of the fuselages under the seats and are divided into compartments fitted with valves. Similar conpartmented tanks OT for oil and WT for water are provided as shown. The tanks are coated with fireproof enamel. Skids.-Four skids are fitted under each fuselage as shown in Fig. 3. Framework.-The ribs of the fuselages and planes are made of laminated ash flitched with straps of steel. Steering.-Three rudders R<1>, R<2>, R<3>, Fig. 1. are provided at the ends of the fuselages and work in spaces formed in a triplane elevator E.