Napier-Heston Racer
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| Type 5 Racer | |
|---|---|
 Napier-Heston Racer at Heston airfield, c. 1940 |
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| Type | Single seat racing monoplane |
| Manufacturer | Heston Aircraft Company Limited |
| Designed by | A.E. Hagg and George Cornwall |
| Maiden flight | 12 June 1940 |
| Retired | 1940 |
| Number built | 1 |
The Heston Type 5 Racer was a 1940s British single-seat racing monoplane first conceived by D. Napier and Son Ltd. and built by the Heston Aircraft Company Limited for an attempt on the World Air Speed Record. The private venture was financed by Robert Morris, Lord Nuffield.
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[edit] Design and development
The Napier-Heston Racer was designed by A.E. Hagg and George Cornwall and was a single-engined, low-wing cantilever monoplane. The Racer was built almost entirely of wood which served to ensure rapid construction and achieve a "superfine" finish and streamlined, "beautiful" lines.[1] The use of a multi-ducted belly scoop and clear, low profile persplex canopy along with a reputed 20 coats of hand-rubbed lacquer also contributed to the sleek aerodynamic finish. [1] Diminutive, thin-sectioned symmetrical wing airfoils were designed for high-speed flight. [2]In order to minimise the controllability aspects, the flight controls were specifically geared to operate fluidly throughout the entire flight envelope. [2]
The racer’s design parameters were to be purposely designed around and powered by a top secret, specially built, blown version of a 24-cylinder, 2,450 hp liquid cooled Napier Sabre engine. Although two prototypes were planned, the onset of the Second World War resulted in only one prototype, registered G-AFOK being completed, ground run and ready for test flight by June 1940.
[edit] Operational history
Flown by Squadron Leader G.L.G Richmond, the prototype first flew at Heston Aerodrome on 12 June 1940 but after only five minutes and encountering inadequate elevator control, the engine overheated. [2] Richmond was being scalded by steam from the radiator mounted below the cockpit and in haste to carry out a forced landing, stalled the aircraft at 30 ft above the airfield. The Racer impacted heavily, with the undercarriage driven through the wings and the tail being broken off.[2] After the first airframe was written off, the construction of the second aircraft, G-AFOL, was abandoned. [1]
[edit] Specifications
Data from British Civil Aircraft since 1919 [3]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 24 ft 7¼ in ( m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft o½ in ( m)
- Wing area: 167.6 ft² ( m²)
- Gross weight: 7,200 lb ( kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Napier Sabre, 2,450 hp ( kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 480 (estimate) mph ( km/h)
- Endurance: 0 hours 18 min
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Bibliography
- Cowin, Hugh W. The Risk Takers, A Unique Pictorial Record 1908-1972: Racing & Record-setting Aircraft (Aviation Pioneer 2). London: Osprey Aviation, 1999. ISBN 1-85532-904-2.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). London: Orbis Publishing, 1985, p. 2158.
- Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Volume 3. London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10014-X.
[edit] External links
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