Blackburn G.P.
| Blackburn G.P. | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | Reconnaissance bomber seaplane |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Blackburn Aircraft |
| First flight | July 1916 |
| Number built | 2 |
| Variants | Blackburn R.T.1 Kangaroo |
The Blackburn G.P seaplane, (the second aircraft (serial number 1416) was sometimes referred to as the Blackburn S.P. for Special Purpose), was a British twin-engine reconnaissance torpedo floatplane of the First World War, built by the Blackburn Aeroplane and Motor Co Ltd.
The poor results obtained with the Blackburn T.B. prompted Blackburn to develop an anti-submarine floatplane designated the Blackburn G.P. (Blackburn General Purpose).
The large seaplane that emerged had a crew of three, accommodated in a long slim fuselage. The first aircraft (s/n 1415) was powered by two handed 155 hp (115.58 kW) Sunbeam Nubian engines driving four-bladed propellers, in nacelles sitting on the upper surface of the lower mainplanes. Cooling for the engines was achieved through vertical radiator blocks attached to the rear interplane struts on either side of the engine nacelles, which also supported the oil tanks for each engine.
Construction of the aircraft was largely of wire-braced wood with fabric covering. The wings, of RAF34 section, were built in four sections, all with dihedral but the outer sections markedly so. The outer section upper mainplane extended past the lower mainplane and was supported by cables via kingposts, above the upper surface, over the outermost interplane struts. To facilitate storage the outer wing sections folded to the rear for a folded span of 27.83 ft (8.48 m). At the rear of the fuselage a biplane tail-unit with twin fins and rudders provided control and stability in pitch and yaw.
Two bungee-sprung plywood-covered main floats with twelve watertight compartments supported the aircraft through a divided strut structure which left clearance for dropping torpedoes from under the fuselage. A single tail float was also strut-supported from the rear fuselage. For ground handling ashore the aircraft sat on beaching dollies under the main and tail floats.
...
Wikipedia