Aircraft of the Republic

[Logi]

So the Siemens could use rotary and inline... I see...

[Sachmle]

Haven't seen it with anything but rotary.

[damocles]

Just asking, what is wrong with Wooden Construction whatsoever?

Glue. Even this late (2010) when we know so much about it, its a risky solution as the glue (and the wood) ages dries and fails to bond. Its what makes composites risky now. We don't exactly know when the laminates will fail or why yet. 

[maddox]

Oh, that is why Stradivarius Violins desintegrate when taken out of their climate controlled cases.

I agree, in 1920 most glues used for commercial woodworking are not impervious to moisture and molds. Even the Mosquito needed a reworking for longer terms of duty in the more tropical climes. But with a lifespan of 5 years or less for military aircraft, and less of a care for the applications after their tour of duty, I don't see a problem there.

[damocles]

Neither do I disagree. Its just that those same glues then had unknown load limits.

With metal and rivets you could put a strain gauge on it and measure it in 1920. I presume Logi thinks he has the engineers who can calculate a moving single point cantilevered bridge load and use those bridgebuilding principles and techniques to design a slick "clean" plane that doesn't suffer drag.

It actually took the Italians to really solve that one by 1926 using old fashioned metal rib bracing techniques bolted together, and then skinned over with metal skin (duraluminium would help).

The J-1 was a brave attempt that was not quite just there yet.

 
   

[maddox]

As a metal worker and roboteer, I know about such things, and can check for strain and damage, but don't ask me to calculate such.

That's, strangely enough Foxy's area of expertise.

[Desertfox]

Away! Away I say! Gahhhhhhh!!!

Yes I do know how to calculate such stuff and have the computer programs to do so. But I absolutely hate doing anything related to structures. Aerodynamics and thermodynamics are so much more interesting and way easier to understand.

[maddox]

Poor Foxy.  Even here your studies follow you.

[ctwaterman]

Aircraft 1916 equal aircraft 1916.   Aircraft 1918 slightly better but still = to other Aircraft 1918....

We have to stop trying to completely customize our Aircraft.  Pick a pretty picture you like Rename it something else and use its rought statistics.   We are not getting to Design our Own Aircraft like we design our ships.

I can think of 1 reason for a 20mm gun and thats to shoot at Zepplins or ground targets. 

[maddox]

A hand loaded 37mm short barrel gun was used by the French in 1917. But as essensial a single shot weapon , taking time to reload, and worse, choking the pilot in the fumes, it wasn't the best solution around.

[Logi]

I can think of 1 reason for a 20mm gun and thats to shoot at Zepplins or ground targets.

You know... I did say the 20mm was to used to shoot down Zepplins....

We have to stop trying to completely customize our Aircraft.  Pick a pretty picture you like Rename it something else and use its rought statistics.   We are not getting to Design our Own Aircraft like we design our ships.

I want to. Besides, it's fluff. If I want to spend a bit of time on such details, why can I not? Because you don't want to? It has little effect on it's actual use in a war anyways.

[ctwaterman]

I want to. Besides, it's fluff. If I want to spend a bit of time on such details, why can I not? Because you don't want to? It has little effect on it's actual use in a war anyways.

Hey !!!! Dont take it personally Im trying to get people to mellow out... I have done the same thing you are doing just using OTL real world planes. 

What I dont want anyone doing is becoming personally attatched to their plane designs and believing their range and payload figures.  I figure the Mods will simply use some averages from the Period and a SWAG [Scientific Wild Ass Guess]
and then write the war report.

[Logi]

Payload: None

;D

[Kaiser Kirk]

Aircraft 1916 equal aircraft 1916.   Aircraft 1918 slightly better but still = to other Aircraft 1918....
...
I can think of 1 reason for a 20mm gun and thats to shoot at Zepplins or ground targets. 

The 20mm Becker Logi cites commenced development pre-war and was mass produced in 1916. It looks like it was fitted to bombers and ground attack, not adapting well to fighters, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20_mm_Becker.  The mention of phosphorus rounds for anti-gasbag work fits with the anti-Zepplin bit you mention.  Overall the "heavy fighter" sounds a bit like what the Albatros D.VI prototype was intended to be.

[Logi]

Hmm I didn't even know about the Albatros D.VI, but yes; it is quite similar.

The differences are more powerful engines, more MGs, and a puller arrangement rather than a pusher. (Pushers have nasty spin side-effects).

Yes. the 20mm with Phosphorous rounds is intended for anti-zeppelin uses.