WAR PLANES
I L L U S T R A T E D
A T L A S
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Published by Graph-Art Kft. Production director: dr. Bera Károly
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Written and edited by: Mart Tamás
Illustrations: Mart Tamás, Véghseő Béla
Creative director: Molnár Zoltán Publisher: Szabó Imre, Managing Director
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All rights reserved, including those of reproduction and the publication of any enlarged or abridged versions of the book. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any shape and form (photocopies, microfilms or other media) without the written permission of the publisher.
Graphics: Lévainé Bana Ágnes
Technical director: Kovács Ákos
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Cover, typography, page setting: Győri Attila Published by Graph-Art Kft.
Editing, typography © Graph-Art, 2015
Printed and bound by Alföldi Nyomda Zrt. Responsible officer: Géza György, CEO Printed in Debrecen, 2015
ISBN 978 615 5370 50 2
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CONTENTS THE PHYSICS OF FLYING
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CONTROLLING THE AIRCRAFT
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THE EVOLUTION OF AVIATION IN WORLD WAR I
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THE PILOT AND THE COCKPIT IN WORLD WAR I
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ENGINES AND WEAPONS IN WORLD WAR I
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FIGHTER PLANES IN WORLD WAR I
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ATTACK AIRCRAFT IN WORLD WAR I
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BOMBERS IN WORLD WAR I
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THE EVOLUTION OF AVIATION IN WORLD WAR II
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THE PILOT AND THE COCKPIT IN WORLD WAR II
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NEW TECHNICAL FEATURES IN WORLD WAR II
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POINTING GEAR AND WEAPONS IN WORLD WAR II
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AIRPORTS AND AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
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FIGHTER PLANES IN WORLD WAR II – EUROPEAN THEATRE
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FIGHTER PLANES IN WORLD WAR II – PACIFIC THEATRE
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THE BASICS OF AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
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GROUND ATTACK FIRE SUPPORT AIRCRAFT IN WORLD WAR II
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NAVAL ATTACK AIRCRAFT IN WORLD WAR II
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BOMBER AIRCRAFT IN WORLD WAR II
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JET PLANES
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THE MODERN COCKPIT AND THE PILOT
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NEW TECHNICAL FEATURES OF MODERN AIRCRAFT
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THE WEAPONS OF MODERN AIRCRAFT
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FIGHTER PLANES OF THE COLD WAR
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MODERN FIGHTER PLANES
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MODERN AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
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MODERN AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
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HELICOPTERS 58
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AIR DEFENCE
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MODERN BOMBER AND FIGHTER-BOMBER AIRCRAFT
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AIRCRAFT OF THE FUTURE
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THE PHYSICS OF FLYING
T
o understand the theory behind flying, you need to know a few fundamental laws of physics. These apply not only to gases but also to fluids. However, for the sake of simplicity, these laws are explained through the example of the air.
The pressure of gases was first measured by Italian scientist Torricelli in 1643. Using a mercury manometer (a simple pressure gauge), he proved that the height of the mercury column changes with air pressure.
Key laws of physics
Air pressure Like any other substance, air is drawn towards the ground by the force of gravity. Gravity is counterbalanced by the repulsive force between air molecules. When these two forces are in balance, it is called temporary air pressure. This pressure value depends on air temperature and the gases that compose air. Generally speaking, air pressure decreases as altitude increases.
Bernoulli’s Principle states that an increase in the speed of the airflow proportionately decreases its pressure. Here is another example: if you hold two pieces of paper closely together and blow air in between, the two pieces stick together due to the suction effect produced by the increased air speed.
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The Law of Continuity says that the product of airflow velocity and airflow cross section is constant. If, for instance, you water your lawn with a hose and you compress its end (decrease its cross section), the water sprays further away (you increase its speed).
upper surface of the wing
lift
leadin
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trailin
lower surface of the wing
Airflow It is important to note that there are three airflow types illustrated by what we call ‘streamlines’. Calm, parallel streamlines indi-
cate laminar flow. Streamlines, however, are mixed in a turbulent flow; whereas they actually turn around in a vortex flow.
Laminar flow
Turbulent flow
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Vortex flow
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Stall and spin If the lift is reduced so much during flight that it can no longer hold the weight of the aircraft, it is called a stall. Stalling may be caused by the following: – as the plane slows down, lift is gradually reduced and the aircraft begins to descend at stall speed. – if the angle of attack of the wing exceeds a critical value, airflow suddenly separates from the surface and becomes turbulent.
In this case, the lift force suddenly disappears, and after stalling, the plane begins a rapid descent (see illustration above). – in the event of dynamic stalling, this critical angle of attack is caused by a sudden pull on the flight stick (or joystick). If a stall occurs only on one wing, the plane may begin a dangerous auto-rotation called spin.
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CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT 12 10 1
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The plane is controlled by a joint and coordinated movement of a joystick and two foot pedals. Moving the joystick left and right activates the ailerons at the trailing edge of each wing, causing the aircraft to roll along its longitudinal axis. Moving the flight stick back and forth activates the elevators on the horizontal stabilizer, causing the aircraft move around its lateral axis. The pedals move the rudder attached to the vertical stabilizer, causing the aircraft move along its vertical axis.
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What controls are used in a plane?
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Engine control One of the most important means of flying an aircraft is by engine control. Pilots of World War I and II had to pay very close attention to flight instruments. Fuel management, engine temperature, maintaining the power and the revolution of the engine at ideal values, adjusting the fuel-air mix, controlling carburettor heating and the pitch ratio were all manual tasks. By World War II, these had been mostly automated to allow the pilot to focus more on air-to-air combat. Except for emergencies, pilots of modern jet aircraft basically have to watch only speed and fuel consumption.
modern joystick
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“Fly-by-wire” control In traditional planes, the joystick, the foot pedals and the flight-control surfaces are connected by cables or push-rods (the joystick activates the ailerons via cables). “Fly-by-wire” systems, however, use a more modern system. Here the joystick transmits electronic signals via an onboard computer to the actuators, which control (move) the ailerons, the flaps and other equipment.
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engine instrument panel of a modern aircraft
FLIGHT ASSIST EQUIPMENT
THE EVOLUTION OF AVIATION IN WORLD WAR ONE T
he aircraft constructed close to a century ago had a light structure. Their wooden frames were covered with linen and only some sections, around the engine and the cockpit, were reinforced with metal cladding. The wings were similarly “weak� and were only reinforced with wires and brace struts. The cockpit was open and for the most part, pilots did not even have parachutes. Flight controls were activated using cables and push-rods. Aircraft were equipped with two landing gears and a tailskid, and apart from a few exceptions, with no brakes. Aircraft were painted in strong colours because pilots wanted to draw attention rather than hide in the sky. The German Fokker Dr. I, seen on the picture, is a fine example of the construction methods and the features described above.
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Nieuport 17
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Nieuport 17 1 Insignia of French aircraft
Although structurally very similar to the Fokker Dr. I, the French Nieuport 17 was different in many ways. One was the wing design. This was a biplane where the lower wings were smaller than the upper ones. This, unfortunately, had a negative effect on the plane’s structural strength, resulting in a number of accidents and broken wings under heavy load.
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Fokker E.I
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Insignia of German aircraft
This model was unique in several respects. First off, it was a monoplane, which was quite rare at the time. Also, there were no ailerons, so to roll to the left and right was controlled by cables that simply bent the thin and flexible wings. Although it may sound interesting, it was, in fact, a very rudimentary solution. So why was the Fokker E.I still successful? Mostly because it was equipped with the technical wonder of the time, the synchronized machine gun. In this case, the weapon was mounted behind the propeller and only fired after the blade had passed. This mechanism guaranteed a huge advantage to the model for a long time. This aircraft is considered to be the first armed fighter plane of the German air force.
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Fokker E.I
THE PILOT AND THE COCKPIT IN WORLD WAR ONE
Wind speed gauge (anemometer) Although the instrument on the drawing looks very primitive, it is still an ingenious device. The headwind drives the blades as the plane flies, and a scale is used to indicate wind speed. The wind speed gauge was later replaced with more reliable speedometers of the aneroid type.
Rudimentary outfit Pilots wore modified civilian clothes. Mainly because of the cold and wet weather, the most popular clothing included warm, knitted pullovers with jackets, trousers and boots made of leather, which offered some protection from the wind. The leather helmets that protected and kept the head and neck warm soon became a distinctive features of pilots. “Modernization” appeared towards the end of World War One with the first electrically heated flight suits (at high altitudes, the air temperature is extremely cold regardless of the seasons) and the first parachutes specifically designed for pilots.
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Insignia of British aircraft
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ENGINES...‌
Mercedes D.III inline aircraft engine
Blip switch
Oberursel Ur.II radial engine
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Machine gun trigger
...AND WEAPONS IN WORLD WAR ONE