- Martinsyde F.1
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Martinsyde F.1 Role Biplane fighter aircraft National origin United Kingdom Manufacturer Martinsyde First flight 1917 Primary user Royal Flying Corps Number built 2 The Martinsyde F.1 was a British two-seat biplane fighter designed and built by Martinsyde Limited, only two prototypes were built.[1]
Design and development
The F.1 was designed as a fighter for the Royal Flying Corps and it was a large tractor biplane powered by a 250 hp (186 kW) Rolls-Royce Mk III piston engine.[1] It had two tandem open cockpits with unusually the observer forward and the pilot behind.[1] A rectangular aperture was cut-out of the upper wing above the observer's cockpit which would allow the observer to use a gun.[2] It was tested at Martlesham Heath in July 1917, where it demonstrated good handling but was criticised for the awkward crew arrangement.[2] It was not ordered into production and only one prototype (of two ordered) was built. It continued in use at Farnborough until after the end of the war.[3][1][4]
Specifications
Data from War Planes of the First World War: Volume 1 Fighters[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 29 ft 1 in (8.86 m)
- Upper wingspan: 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)
- Lower wingspan: 44 ft 2 in (13.46 m)
- Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
- Wing area: 467 sq ft (43.4 m2)
- Empty weight: 2,198 lb (997 kg)
- Gross weight: 3,260 lb (1,479 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Mk III water-cooled V-12 engine, 250 hp (190 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 109.5 mph (176.2 km/h; 95.2 kn) at 6,500 ft (1,980 m)
- Endurance: 3 hr 45 min
- Service ceiling: 16,500 ft (5,029 m)
- Time to altitude: 13 min 40 s to 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
Armament
- Guns: Possibly 1× Lewis gun operated by observer
References
Notes
Bibliography
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
- Bruce, J.M. (1965). War Planes of the First World War: Volume 1 Fighters. London: Macdonald.
- Robertson, Bruce (1987). British Military Aircraft Serials 1878-1987. Letchworth, England: Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0 904597 61 X.
Aircraft built by Martin and Handasyde Limited and Martinsyde Limited No. 1 • No. 2 • No. 3 • No. 4B Dragonfly • 1912 Military Monoplane • Military Trials Monoplane • S.1 • G.100 • G.102 Elephant • RG • F.1 • F.2 • F.3 • F.4 Buzzard
Lists relating to aviation General Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Airlines (defunct) · Airports · Civil authorities · Museums · Registration prefixes · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · TimelineMilitary Accidents/incidents Records Categories:- British fighter aircraft 1910–1919
- Martinsyde aircraft
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