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About "Barracuda". History and Development of the aircraft. |
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The firm organized the design so that different tasks designed two basic
concepts of combat aircraft, and the preliminary work was done and over
a third. And for each of the models for the emergence of new
requirements increase the combat capabilities could be done in the form
of additional "recruitment" to the existing design. It was not easy,
especially because then monoplanes generally caused prejudice the
conservative British military leadership. M. Lobel had to start - did
develop along with several promising monoplanes biplane designs in favor
of a military order on the specification of G4/31. Unfortunately, while
the Air Ministry (Air Ministry) have tried to provide everything, down
to the weird designs of the wing arch type or mono schemes.
According to the order R27/32 on double daylight bomber monoplane Fairy
introduced the concept of an airplane, the office had been adopted by
the Commission and later became a famous airplane Battle. This scheme
was developed in to order S.13/33 and S15/33 in the form multipurpose
aircraft - spy torpedo-bomber, but in the leadership of the fleet
structure is not supported. Firm was not allowed to perform at the
trailing edge of the wing bulges for the control wiring to fully
retractable flush into the wing aileron. But the designer was already a
big backlog of work and perspective on the aircraft and the Battle
Fulmar (prototype heavy fighter Firefly)! Virtually a new machine has
already been pre "Barracuda", with only wing and
under the engine Fairey P-16 of 1500 hp. Parallel to this, by design
fighter was developed in the daytime bomber custom R4/34, as well as in
the daytime interceptor to order F5/34, which were fun machines, but has
not "earned" a contract to build. Quite close to our "Barracuda" design
has been requested in order 27/34 as a fighter / dive-bomber for the Air
Force of the Armed Forces (RAF and FAA - Royal Air Force and Fleet Air
Arm).
Battle in the footsteps of the aircraft company has issued a draft with
engine P-24, four machine guns and shooting forward at all without
weapons to protect the tail. However, the pattern during the design of
the Fairy demanded design study under the engines of Rolls-Royce Vulture
"and" Ex Plus "(Rolls-Royce Vulture, Exe), as well as a Napier" Sabre ",
Bristol Taurusn Napier E108 Dagger. Soon, demanded a third member of the
crew - gunner. The initial draft was sent back to refine and because of
the fact that the Ministry considered it too big to fold on the deck of
the wing span 53 feet. Required to fit it into the size of not more than
50 feet.
After reviewing the draft required the Ministry to make a general light
for the pilot, navigator and hands-observer, and also improve the
suspension of a torpedo under the fuselage. The amended form, the draft
was returned to the clear eyes of ministerial strategists. However, it
was not the end of the duel between the firm and the ministry.
Considered the best in the firm configuration of new machines with
X-shaped motor P-16 was rejected in favor of the improved Merlin. So the
plane, suffers from some lack of power even at 24-cylinder engine, even
before its birth to light "rolled" from the category of machines with
high performance in average. Perhaps this was the most fateful step,
defining the whole is not too rosy fate of "Barracuda."
The next "hit the top" of the new car was a demand to put an arrow - an
observer facing forward on the flight, ostensibly for a more realistic
perception of their environment. The answer to this could be the only
complete rearrangement under high-wing aircraft, or simply an observer
would see nothing out of his cab. This inevitably causes problems with
the aerodynamics and chassis cleaning. Generated the high-wing of the
powerful tail of the turbulent air that breaks the flow of the tail
assembly. Clearly, this did not improve the stability and
controllability of the airplane. A retract a high-wing, and was
altogether in any doors - rack should have received a very long and
heavy. Lobel's nothing left, as the thread the needle and wrap the
counter in the form of the letter "G". Now one half of the rack was
removed in a niche on the board of the fuselage, and the second - the
root of the wing, creating a semblance of a normal extended position
racks with shock. Looks like the designer did not leave the hope that
the ministerial fantasy once run out and you can normally build the
plane on scheme more convenient in many ways - view from
the cockpit, suspension arms, already referred to aerodynamics, chassis
layout and stuff. However, according to the specification S.24/37
project has been altered under the engine Rolls Royce Merlin 30 and the
wing is moved upwards. From this sharp "spree" center of gravity of the
aircraft, which required redesign of equipment both in length and height
of fuselage. As a result review of the pilot to the sides and
bottom. After such shuffles at all surprising, as the company has
managed to preserve and landing, and the performance of the aircraft at
an acceptable level.
Thus, the firm hopes to create a car with good deck features and
outstanding flight data, in particular high maneuverability, which
provides a unique system of arrangement and control flaps were dashed.
The main obstacle was the refusal of the Ministry to continue to develop
the engine P-24. With the submission of luminaries in the field, in
particular, the same Rolls-Royce, it was recognized that the new engine
would require unacceptable time frame for bringing to production. It
seems that the well-known companies were somehow not welcome addition in
the close-knit family of competitors in this lucrative market, as the
military orders. Yes, and technical problems with the new engine was
missing. Cruciform arrangement of CHT does not fit well into the
aerodynamics of the aircraft nose. Therefore, the company worked through
such a linking unit and the gearbox control
screws, which would allow the nose to make the most streamlined.
However, work was stopped.
Ordering a double 03/35 Marine fighter was also performed as the
aircraft type "Barracuda" with the engine and P16 variants
weapons
eight barrels contained either motionless or in the turret, located in
the middle of the fuselage.
And an order 59/36 for triple. Fighter-bomber fleet has been implemented
such as the future "Barracuda", but with a low-wing engine Rolls-Royce
Exe. The project was not without "branded" versions of their engines KB
Fairy P16 and P24. Preserved, and both versions of weapons. In the
version with the turret, it was placed between the pilot and observer,
but a version with the shooter in the prone position gave the
opportunity to review downward through the side of the fuselage during
the installation of weapons in the direction of the tail.
This design led to intense interest, especially in the performance of
the engine Rolls-Royce Exe. Was a major reserve development, which
suddenly and incomprehensibly were terminated on the initiative from the
top. In the end, in the second half of 1936 has revived interest in the
project Fairy S9/36, which after removing the awkward turret has become
quite acceptable to perform the role of torpedo and dive-bomber aircraft
fleet.
The new arrangement with the review down through the side of the cabin
was found to be promising for planting an observer facing forward and
backward, and the ugly chassis did not cause negative emotions. Who
knows, maybe haired strategists incurably nostalgic for the angular
forms of biplanes, or even the rich mast sailing frigates ... Anyway,
the specification of the order S.24/37 was completed and has already
been formulated in relation to the developed project. It included new
flaps and Youngman (Youngman). The design is almost not different from
which was born at a prototype "Barracuda", who had a normal low-lying
stabilizer and the serial number R1767 (F.4468). He first flew on
December 7, 1940 Mr. Merlin 30 engine (1300 hp) and three-blade
propeller De Havilland. Starting from this prototype and production
vehicles to the latest weaponry, firing forward, not installed.
Meanwhile, in the process of testing Battle on the plane and
the wind tunnel was discovered that Youngman flaps are rather unpleasant
feature - when used as an air brake aircraft required rebalancing, that
is dramatically changed their behavior. It was not only unpleasant but
also very dangerous for pilots. After all, air brakes on the
dive-bombers are usually produced in the busiest segment of the battle -
when piled the plane a nosedive at the target by a flurry of
anti-aircraft fire. In this "chopper" just put a bomb at a target and
try to avoid while enemy shells - a task not for the faint of heart.
In the end it was decided not to remove the wing flaps fully, and mount
in a suspended position under the rear edge of the wing. Toe flap,
forward control with respect to the axis of rotation, move up, closing
the gap between the flap and the wing with flaps retracted (on landing),
and fell down while lifting the flap to the position of air brakes (with
a dive). The flap is then adjoined its rear edge to the trailing edge of
the wing, creating a very powerful air brake. During takeoff flaps
deflected 20 degrees to increase the wing lift and landing at 30 degrees
to reduce speed. However, testing the first prototype showed that the
position of the air brake flaps disgusting affect the controllability of
the elevator, but still generate a strong bafting (shaking of the tail).
They are like a bulldozer plowed a counter-air, leaving behind a trail
of vortices, hitting the tail, that the pilot was not easy to keep in
the hands of the control knob.
Therefore, the second prototype of the number of R1770 (F.4469), took
off June 29, 1941, already had a stabilizer on the keel raised and
reinforced braces. His behavior in air was found to be satisfactory.
Thus, the epic search for the general scheme of "Barracuda" was
stretched for nearly a decade, which could not affect the result. The
main reason for delay was the desire of the Ministry of Aviation to
remake one project to another in the implementation process, and with
the introduction of alternative changes. Let it remain on the conscience
of the strategists, government officials, not designers.
The first series Barracuda 1 - R9642 (F.4570) - was released in
Stockport (Stockport), still with a Merlin 30 but already with a screw
Rotol. She flew first in the air May 18, 1942 The plane was
considered another experimental series, and was built just 30 copies. At
the trials, particularly in Service Trials Unit, Arbroath (military unit
tests, the Arbroz) in September 1942, the plane showed a distinct lack
of power, which immediately made itself felt on short runways,
particularly in Arbroze. Rate of climb was very low, especially with a
suspended torpedo. However, after climbing the pilot felt a pleasing
improvement in the behavior of the aircraft - particularly easy, he
responded to the ailerons, only to feel some rebalancing of the rudder.
In addition, the flaps Youngman perfectly quenched with speed in a dive,
which is especially appreciated by drivers of TSR
(Torpedo-Spot-Reconnaissance Units - units multipurpose reconnaissance
bomber. They are very important because it rapidly, "the brakes" on the
cruising speed of access to the target to the rate of discharge of bombs
to weaken the effectiveness of countering enemy fighters and naval
anti-aircraft guns.
When landing the aircraft proved to be totally different compared to the
heavy climb. After a harrowing takeoff landing "Barracuda" was behaving
beautifully. When fully released by the mechanization of the resistance
was such that during a sunset on the deck of 30 Merlin needed a little
boost, but after cleaning the gas before touching "Barracuda" dropping
like a stone dead "glued" to the deck. In this view from the cockpit at
all times remain good - efficient operation of the flap allows the pilot
did not overshadow his windshield cowl, lifting nose of the plane.
At this time the first prototype of the R1767 has already been installed
engine Merlin 32 (1,640 hp at 3000 rpm), with whom he first flew on Aug.
17, 1942 in flights, car shows slightly better performance and became
the prototype of "Barracuda" II.
Later took off and the first production copy of "Barracuda" II R9667
(F.4595) with four screws firms Rotol. Take-off boost pressure has
increased and a half times that at once reflected in the take-off data.
The first machines went into the Test Squadron (827 Squadron) in
Stretton. There's suddenly gone airplane crash into the water in
simulated torpedo attacks.
Among investigate a disaster (if there were even five) was a young test
pilot Eric Brown, who joined shortly before the service in the Royal Air
Force Institute of Farnborough (RAE - Royal Aircraft Establishment,
Farnborough), now world famous for its Airshow. He knew that such a
torpedo attack: the rapid dive to below the water with air brakes,
alignment, placement torpedoes, cleaning, brakes, flaps, immediately
followed by a rapid lapel away from the goal. After analyzing their
experience of flying on "Barracuda" I, the pilot noticed by another
suspect in the first flight rebalance the rudder. After a few test
slides and turns with the deliberate "tug" to rebalance the rudder plane
revealed a tendency to peck a sharp nose. All this was done at different
altitudes and speeds, after which it was tested the machine's behavior
when cleaning the air brakes on the pullout - and here she is clearly
"bite" ...
Brown decided on a risky experiment - to test the behavior of vehicles
in a complex maneuver in violation of the speed limit when working with
flaps. He recalls: "I knocked," Barracuda "at the peak in the flaps in
the position of the brakes (deviation up). Observer, meanwhile recorded
the readings on the film - the speed, altitude, angle of deviation
rudders. The speed of the dive increased to 389 km / h and I simulated
abrupt withdrawal of the aircraft in flight. The rate dropped to 352 km
/ h, but still was still forbidden to clean air brakes. However, I
removed the flaps in the neutral position and gave the right rudder to
simulate the lapel of the target. The machine instantly thrown into the
peak "At the peak of the inverted" Thank God I had the height. And if I
thought of to do it all "in kind" by the water? "And you know who was my
cameraman and an observer? Miss Guin Alston, whose husband died in a
Test flight, Miss Alston, waives the most risky tests and demonstrated
in any reshaping itself bravery. That's who was beside me, when I opened
the mystery death of Barracudas.
In spite of such dangerous behavior, have been deployed large-scale
production Barracudas MkII. At the same time have been actively working
to modernize the aircraft to improve flight and combat performance. In
order to implement the anti-tasks "deuce" was radar ASV (Air-to-Surface
Vessel - an air-to-surface-ship ") Mk.II, later Mk.IIN.
To combat the lack of power on takeoff at Farnborough decided to try
starting powder boosters RATOG (Rocket-Assisted Take-off Gear,
literally: an auxiliary rocket take-off device). They were hung in pairs
on the board of the fuselage so that the overall thrust was directed
precisely at the center of gravity of the aircraft and did not cause
lead away from the line of flight. The pilot run them ignition on
takeoff when the car reached the special mark on the runway. This was
done with the calculation of maximum effect: that worked a few seconds
the rocket "cut off" not earlier than the aircraft, as they say, sit
tight in the air. After ground tests familiar to us, Eric Brown
performed his first takeoff from the deck of an aircraft carrier
"Pretoria Castle" 1 August 1944.
Another attempt to improve the behavior of the Barracudas at takeoff was
to test the aircraft MkII number DR126 (built on the firm Boulton Paul)
with the American system bailout. Unlike the British (the four), when
the plane, held by two pairs of lines, fired into the air almost in a
horizontal position, the U.S. (two-point), the system was simpler and
shoots the plane in a raised position with the nose, that is most
convenient for the climb. For the ventral hook clung pulling strap
connected to the catapult shuttle, and the tail kept the other
kill-line, which had a discontinuous ring. When the pressure in the
steam-driven catapult grew shuttle increasingly trying to move the plane
away. But the sling with a discontinuous ring held him until a maximum
effort to drive the ring does not burst. Canoe, sliding into the slots
deck, clocked a plane to takeoff speed.
Another interesting experiment on the Barracuda's was delaying the
screw. Now no surprise reversal, used for braking on landing turboprop
and turbojet aircraft. But then nobody could say how the machine behaves
when turning the propeller blades in reverse. " In the end it turned out
that the management of such a system is quite difficult, and the
positive effect of inhibition followed by a strong lowering of the nose,
making it difficult piloting. And the pancake for "Barracuda" was lumpy.
Barracuda Mk.III was born as a result of the fact that the production of
radar ASV MkJI and Mk.IIN was stopped and launched Mk.H centimeter.
However, its cowling, located under the tail of the fuselage, affects
the behavior of the aircraft. To search mode and tracking when the car
needed to go "on a thread," to accurately detect the locator on the weak
signal from the submarine, the tail began to drive from side to side. It
was promoted and lack of engine power. Serial production of "triads"
unfolded in 1944, with virtually no pre-test.
In the versions I - III was built in 2572, "Barracuda," who fought in
Europe and the Pacific as a base and carrier-based aircraft fleet.
Awaited in 1944 extensive application of the British carrier-based
aircraft in the Pacific theater of war compelled the aircraft
manufacturer new and serious problem. With regard to the "Barracuda" is
inevitably meant an increase in engine power and payload. The chronic
shortage of power Merlin forced to abandon it in favor of a new type of
firm Rolls-Royce - Engine Griffon, power of 2000 hp
Created a new modification - "Barracuda" MkIV, the prototype of which
was converted by Griffin production aircraft Barracuda MkII number
R9976. He first flew November 11, 1944, first with Griffons VII (1850
hp), then with a griffin VIII of the same capacity. However, the company
seemed more profitable to immediately expand the work on a brand new car
Spearfish - motorized Bristol Centaurus 58 (Bristol
Centaurus) capacity of 2320 hp Once again, bad luck brought failure to
the engine ... When it became clear that because of problems with it
Spearfish not come before 1946, had a fire pace to prepare a new
modification of "Barracuda" on the basis of experience with the MkIV.
Following the prototype MkIV firm remade another six aircraft of the
earlier production models, among which was RM940. They were named MkV,
but the first "real" Five to 37 Griffin was machine RK530, tested after
the war - November 22, 1945
"Barracuda" MkV engine Gryphon 37 2,020 hp was already, in spite of a
common "surname", an almost new car: Efforts fuselage, increased the
wing, the keel, the capacity of tanks and military pressure - from 735
to 908 kg. 7,7 mm coaxial machine gun Vickers K was removed and the
plane left without protection from the tail, because by the end of the
war has already had the confidence in an effective fighter cover. More
nekotrye time lasted choice forms the keel until he stopped at the sharp
triangular, with an increased aspect ratio, which will remove the trim
wheel, pursuing the car at birth. But became worse lateral control,
helped by heavy and Griffin 37, who is also a powerful hood limited the
review down and forward.
As with earlier versions, the weapons were placed on five
holders of bombs. Chetyre wing could carry bombs up to 227 kg each, and
the fuselage - to 908 kg. Often these were two bombs at 227 kg. Under
the front edge of the left console has a small detachable fairing with
anti-radar ASH.
With the end of the war an initial order for 140 aircraft MkV has been
reduced and the last came off the assembly line machine with a number
RK574. When numbering the position were missed until after RK542 RK558,
which are planned for other aircraft. Total build 30 serial and 7
pre-production aircraft (including in this number, and the prototype
MkIV, which actually became the prototype for a series MkV). The latest
"Barracuda" 5 aircraft fleet was in October 1947 is clear that in a war
they did not participate. British aircraft fleet and used them for crew
training prior to 1953.
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