The New Distance Record: Some Details of the R.A.F. Long‐Range Monoplane and Napier Lion Engine

Abstract

THE R.A.F. Long — Range Monoplane, piloted by Squadron‐Leader O. R. Gayford and Flight‐Lieutenant G. E. Nicholetts, left Cranwell Aerodrome at 7.15 a.m. on February 6 and landed at Walvis Bay at 4.40 p.m. on February 8, having covered a distance, measured on a Great‐Circle course, of 5,340 statute miles (8,592·06 kilometres). This beat the previous world's distance record of 5,012 miles (8,065·736 kilometres), set up by Messrs. Russel Boardman and John Polando in a Bellanca monoplane with a 300 h.p. Wright J.6 engine, between New York and Istanbul on July 28 to 30, 1931, by 328 miles (526·324 kilometres). The actual distance flown over the track followed by the aeroplane was, of course, considerably more—probably some 5,600 miles. For reference purposes, a map has been prepared, showing three routes: (a) the Great‐Circle Course, over which the distance for record purposes is measured as laid down by the F.A.I. Regulations, shown by a broken line; (b)the route laid down to be followed by the aeroplane before the start, shown by a full line; (c)the approximate track of the aeroplane on the flight as far as this deviated from (b), shown by a dotted line. This has been estimated from the signals received from the pilots, as issued by the Air Ministry, and from their cabled report. The precise locations of the divergencies near Duala and South of Loanda are not, at the time of writing, accurately known and must be treated as approximations only.

Citation

(1933), "The New Distance Record: Some Details of the R.A.F. Long‐Range Monoplane and Napier Lion Engine", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 57-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb029663