NOVEMBER 25,

1937.

FLIGHT.

515

A Review of the Machines Available

To-day

NY distinction b e t w e e n large a n d small civil t y p e s is essentially a c o m p r o m i s e . I n t h i s review t h e line ^ h a s b e e n d r a w n a t t h e four-five-seater, a n y m a c h i n e n o r m a l l y c a r r y i n g fewer t h a n six passengers being considered as belonging t o t h e l i g h t or p r i v a t e - o w n e r class. Among t h e m a c h i n e s described in t h i s section several have t h e i r p l a c e in e a c h class. T h e D . H . Dragonfly a n d the Universal M o n o s p a r , for i n s t a n c e , m a k e a d m i r a b l e feeder-line or c h a r t e r t y p e s , a n d t h e A m b u l a n c e version of the l a t t e r should really b e installed in a section of its o w n . The B . A . E a g l e , t h e H e s t o n P h c e n i x a n d t h e P e r c i v a l

Vega Gull can be considered either a s p r i v a t e or c h a r t e r t y p e s , while t h e D . H . Tiger M o t h a n d t h e Miles Magister a r e economical trainers for civil or service use. T h e list of multi-purpose m a c h i n e s c o u l d b e e x t e n d e d a l m o s t indefinitely. H o w e v e r , t h e division of t y p e s a t least gives t h e casual r e a d e r some b r e a t h i n g - s p a c e a n d t h e majority of t h e m o r e serious r e a d e r s will find it m o r e easy t o pick o u t t h e t y p e s in which t h e y a r e interested. I n c i d e n t a l l y , t h e r e a r e m o r e t h a n t h i r t y t y p e s in this section ; so m u c h for t h e Jeremiahs. P e r f o r m a n c e a n d o t h e r figures will b e found in t h e t a b l e on page 522.

ARPIN
HPHE first machine in this country to -*- be designed around a tricycle type of undercarriage, the Arpin pusher, is a type which is now in process of development. Safety and comfort have been the two points for which the designer has striven. By placing the engine behind, an almost perfect field of useful view has been provided for the occupants, and the controls have been arranged so t h a t it is almost impossible for the pilot to get into difficulties. Generally speaking, the layout is somewhat similar to t h a t of the Stearman-Hammond, which was described in last week's issue, t h e specification including twin fins and rudders supported 011 tailbooms, and a split flap, which extends unbroken from aileron to nileron. The engine to be fitted is a British Salmson of 68 b . h . p . M. B. Arpin and Co., Longford, West Drayton, Middlesex.

IZ3Z3
The Arpin monoplane, which is now in course of construction, is a pusher with a tricycle undercarriage. Other f e a t u r e s of interest will be gathered from a study of these general arrangement drawings.