British Aircraft Cupid

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British Aircraft Cupid
f2
Type: Light aircraft
Design country:

United KingdomUnited Kingdom United Kingdom

Manufacturer:

British Aircraft Manufacturing

First flight:

1935

Commissioning:

1935

Production time:

1935

Number of pieces:

1

The British Aircraft Cupid , also known as the BA 3 Cupid , was a light aircraft produced by the British manufacturer British Aircraft Manufacturing and the third type of aircraft built by the company. Basically, it is a scaled down, two-seat version of the British Aircraft Eagle .

history

Terminal had with the 1927 out brought 25 Klemm Kl developed a light sport aircraft, which sold well on foreign markets. Since the aircraft in the United Kingdom found numerous customers, responsible for the UK retailer Major decided EF Stephen building a business for the licensed production of this type. The British Klemm Airplane Company developed the British Klemm Swallow from the Klemm Kl 25 . The company's first in-house design was the British Klemm Eagle developed by G. Handasyde . The aircraft, similar to the Klemm Kl 32 , but equipped with a retractable landing gear , had its first flight at the beginning of 1934. The aircraft was primarily aimed at the sport and record-breaking aircraft market. Since the Eagle was selling well, the company, now renamed British Aircraft Manufacturing, decided to develop a lighter version for the travel and training aircraft market. The Cupid was also to replace the Swallow , which was based on a design from the early 1920s. Like the Eagle , the Cupid was designed by George H. Handasyde .

construction

The Cupid , like all aircraft built by British Aircraft Manufacturing, was a wooden structure. The aircraft was designed as a cantilever low wing . The wings could be folded back to save space when parking and to be able to transport the aircraft more easily. In addition, maneuvering on the ground has been made easier. The engine used was a de Havilland Gipsy Major with an output of 130 hp (approx. 97 kW), an in- line engine with hanging cylinders. In contrast to the Eagle , the Cupid had a fixed landing gear. As a result, the maximum speed was 13 miles per hour lower than the Eagle with the same engine. The landing gear was covered. The aircraft was approved for aerobatics. The seats were arranged side by side. Friedrich Fecher chose a similar configuration for the Siebel Si 202 Hummel in 1938 .

commitment

The first flight took place in 1935. The Cupid received good reviews from all the pilots who were allowed to fly it, but in the end only one machine was built. Originally approved as a G-ADLR, the aircraft was purchased by Charles Best and flown by John Armor in the 1935 King's Cup Cup Jubilee Race . The machine was then offered to the Prince of Wales , Edward Windsor , who refused it. Finally the machine was sold to South Africa the following year, but never registered there.

Technical specifications

Parameter Data
crew 2
length 7.11 m
span 10.67 m
height 1.98 m
Empty mass 542 kg
Max. Takeoff mass 767 kg
Top speed 240 km / h
Cruising speed 217 km / h
Engine de Havilland Gipsy Major , hanging air-cooled four-cylinder in-line engine, 130 hp

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ see Hume