Norman Thompson N.T.4
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| N.T.4 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Patrol Flying Boat |
| Manufacturer | Norman Thompson Flight Company |
| Maiden flight | 1915 |
| Introduced | 1916 |
| Retired | 1918 |
| Primary user | RNAS |
| Number built | 50 |
The Norman Thompson N.T.4 was a twin engined British flying boat of the First World War. Although less well known than similar Curtiss and Felixstowe flying boats, 50 were built for Britain's Royal Naval Air Service.
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[edit] Development and design
The White and Thompson company was formed by Norman Thompson and Douglas White in 1909 at Bognor Regis, Sussex to design and build aircraft [1]. It built several models of aircraft in small numbers, before being renamed the Norman Thompson Flight Company in October 1915.
The first aircraft to be produced by the renamed company was a twin engined patrol flying boat, the Norman Thompson N.T.4. This was a three bay biplane powered by two pusher Hispano-Suiza engines mounted between the wings and was fitted with an enclosed, heavily glazed cockpit for its four man crew.
After successful trials, 50 were ordered by the Royal Naval Air Service, with production continuing until the summer of 1918 [2].
[edit] Operational history
The N.T.4 entered service with the RNAS in 1916 [3], being operated on anti-submarine patrols over the North Sea and English Channel. Owing to its similarity in size to the Curtiss H.4 , it shared the Curtiss flying boat's nickname of "America", being renamed "Small America" when the larger Curtiss H12 (known as "Large America") and Felixstowe F.2 flying boats came into service. [2]
[edit] Variants
- N.T.4
- Initial batch of six aircraft. Powered by two 150 hp Hispano-Suiza engines.
- N.T.4A
- Main production type. Powered by 200 hp geared Hisano Suiza engines. 44 built.
- N2C
- Improved version with hull similar to Felixstowe flying boats, powered by two Sunbeam Arab engines. Two prototypes only built in 1918.[1]
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (N.T.4A)
Data from British Naval Aircraft since 1912 [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: Four
- Length: 41 ft 6 in (12.65 m)
- Wingspan: 78 ft 7 in (23.96 m)
- Height: 14 ft 10 in (4.52 m)
- Wing area: 936 ft² (87.0 m²)
- Empty weight: 4,572 lb (2,078 kg)
- Loaded weight: 6,469 lb (2,940 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Hispano-Suiza V-8 water cooled, 200 hp (149 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 83 knots (95 mph, 153 km/h) at 2,000 ft (610 m)
- Service ceiling 11,700 ft (3,570 m)
- Wing loading: 6.91 lb/ft² (33.8 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.062 hp/lb (0.10 kW/kg)
- Climb to 10,000 ft (3,050 m): 31 min 5 sec
Armament
- Provision for Lewis guns firing through side window
- Bomb racks under lower wing
[edit] See also
Comparable aircraft
[edit] References
- Donald, David (Editor) (1997). The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Aerospace Publishing. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
- Thetford, Owen (1978). British Naval Aircraft since 1912. London: Putnam, p. 267-268. ISBN 0 85177 861 5.
[edit] External links
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