Central Centaur IV
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Centaur IV | |
|---|---|
| Type | three-seat biplane trainer |
| Manufacturer | Central Aircraft Company Limited |
| Designed by | A A Fletcher |
| Maiden flight | 1919 |
| Primary user | Central Aircraft Flying School |
| Number built | 8 |
The Central Centaur IV was a British civil three-seat biplane produced by Central Aircraft Company Limited of London.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Centaur IV was a two-seat wire-braced, fabric-covered wooden biplane designed by A.A. Fletcher. It was the first original design to be built by Central Aircraft Company at Kilburn, London during 1919. The prototype had a Renault inline engine but the seven production aircraft were fitted with an Anzani radial engine.
Original conceived as two versions; a side-by-side two-seater, or a three-seater with an enlarged cockpit. No market existed for private ownership so the eight aircraft were all built as three-seaters. All the aircraft were initially used by Central Aircraft for joyriding or instruction at Northolt Aerodrome. The fifth aircraft was fitted with a three-float undercarriage. It was used for a week giving joyrides at Southend-on-Sea. It was converted into a landplane later in 1920 and crashed in October 1920.
As the post-war slump continued some of the aircraft were sold in Belgian and were still operating in 1938. The last survivor was destroyed in the German invasion of Belgium in May 1940.
[edit] Variants
- Centaur IV - dual-control version
- Centaur IVA - single-pilot version
- Centaur IVB - float landing gear
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (Centaur IVA)
General characteristics
- Length: 24 ft 9 in (7.54 m)
- Wingspan: 24 ft 2½ in (10.43 m)
- Height: ()
- Empty weight: 900 lb (408 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,400 lb (635 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Anzani nine-cylinder radial piston, 100 hp (75 kw)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 75 mph (121 km/h)
[edit] References
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
- Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 10006 9.
[edit] External links
[edit] Related content
Designation sequence
Centaur IV • Centaur IIA
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable military accidents and incidents · Notable airline accidents and incidents · Famous aviation-related deaths
Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
