aeroplane Archives - Page 41 of 54 - Destination's Journey

Parnall Pipet

Designed as a shipborne fighter, the Parnall Pipet first flew in the summer of 1928. During testing of the first prototype N232, severe tail flutter was encountered, resulting in the tailplane spar fracturing. Despite receiving a broken neck, the pilot survived and flew again but the aircraft was a write-off.

A second prototype N233 was built, modified with tailplane struts and a rudder horn balance. Ailerons were added to the upper wings. linked to those on the lower wing with an external rod. During testing on 24 February 1929, flutter was so strong that it caused the fin and rudder to break from the fuselage. Fortunately the pilot escaped using a parachute. No further development of the Pipet was undertaken.

Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.3

The Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.3 (Farman or Fighting Experimental) also known as the A.E.1 (“Armed Experimental”) was a pusher biplane aircraft designed to carry a heavy cannon armament in the nose.

The tail of the F.E.3 was attached by a tubular boom to the propellor by bearings and braced by wires running to the wings. The engine was placed at the front of the nacelle and drove the propellor via a shaft and drive chains. The Coventry Ordnance Works COW 1½ lb shell-firing quick loading gun was to be mounted firing through the engine’s cooling air intake.

During testing in the summer of 1913, the propellor broke in-flight resulting in a forced landing. By this time it was realised that the tail boom was unstable and the aircraft was not repaired. However, in order to test the COW gun, the aircraft was suspended and the gun fired, showing that recoil loads were not excessive.

Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.4

The Royal Aircraft Factory (RAF) F.E.4 was intended as a ground attack aircraft armed with a 1.5 pounder COW gun and 3 × .303 in Lewis guns. Two prototypes were built but performed poorly under evaluation and were not developed further.

The first prototype was armed with a 1.5 pounder (37mm) COW gun and 2× .303 in Lewis guns in a forward cockpit with a pilot and gunner, while an additional .303 in Lewis gun was manned by a gunner in a separate rear cockpit. The second aircraft did not have the rear cockpit, instead intending to place the gunner in an elevated section above the wings. This was never installed.

Although designs were made for alternative engines, none were proceeded with.