The Ireland Neptune was a four or five place pusher configuration biplane sold in flying boat and amphibian versions. Designed in the U.S. and first flown in 1927, well over 50 were built.
Neptune
first N-2B in 1928
Role
Four or five seat cabin flying boat biplane, some amphibious.
N-1B 3-view, with inline engineN-2C NeptuneN-2C 3-view, showing swept wing and landing gear
The Neptune was a biplane with a single, pusher configuration engine mounted just under the upper wing and with a conventional hull.[1] The 1927 type N-1B was initially advertised with engines in the 90–220 hp (67–164 kW) power rang[2] and an early 3-view shows it with an inline engine,[3] but it first flew in late 1927 with a 220 hp (160 kW) Wright J-5-Cradial.[4] About five more of this flying boat sub-type were built but, despite the 220 hp Wright, they were underpowered when loaded and so most were re-engined into N-2Bs.[5]
This was also a flying boat. It had a 300 hp (220 kW) Wright J-6-9 but was otherwise similar to the N-1B. The N-2C which followed it into production was an amphibian and had a further 50% power increase from its heavier 450 hp (340 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp. The power increase required a new, three-bladed propeller in place of the earlier, 8 ft (2.4 m), 2-bladed one used by the N1-B and it had a swept upper wing and a 1 ft (300 mm) increase of lower span.[1][4]
The Neptune was an unequal span single bay biplane with its lower wing on top of the hull and close to the water but with a wide interplane gap. The lower wing had a span 85% of the upper and was significantly narrower, but only it carried dihedral. The wings were rectangular in plan out to rounded tips apart from a central cut-out in the upper trailing edge for propeller rotation. Frise-type, Alcad covered ailerons were fitted only on the upper wings. Both wings were built around spruce spars and were fabric covered and braced together by pairs of outward-leaning parallel interplane struts. The upper centre-section was mounted over the hull on a pair of sturdy N-form struts which were also the main engine supports. Leading edge sweep on the N2-C was about 7°.[1]
The hull had a Cr/Mo steel tube structure which was Alcad clad. The planing bottom had a shallow V-section and a single step under the wing, though it ended abruptly mid-way between wing and tail. Stability on the water was provided by small floats mounted below the interplane struts. The first few N-2Bs had open cockpits[5] but most had glazed cabins like that of the N-1B,[3] as did the N-2C. Crew and passengers were accommodated in two rows of side-by-side seats with the pilot's seat, on the front row, well ahead of the upper leading edge. Entry was via upward-opening doors[1]
Behind the wings the hull tapered to a conventional tail. Its fin was broad and tetrangular in profile, carrying a large balanced rudder. A small, near-rectangular tailplane was mounted on top of the fin, braced by inverted V-struts to the hull. The elevators were larger and balanced, separated by a cut-out for rudder movement. The tailplane was structurally similar to the wings but the other tail surfaces had metal frames. All were fabric-covered.[1]
The amphibious N-2C had mainwheels on short oleo strut legs close to the hull sides with rear drag struts and an oleo tailskid at the extreme rear fuselage. Wheel retraction was manual and took about 30 seconds.[1][4]
Operational historyedit
About 46 flying boats and 10 amphibians were completed, though histories are sparse. Two at least were used by Curtiss Flying Services, an air-taxi service, the first from mid-winter 1927-8 along the New England coast joined by another based in Florida a year later.[6]
^ abAero Digest (April 1931) describes this as a four-seater
Referencesedit
^ abcdefg"Amphibions". Aero Digest. 18 (4): 76. April 1931.
^"Ireland advertisement". Aero Digest. 10 (5): 482. May 1927.
^ ab"Neptune 3-view". Aero Digest. 10 (6): 586. June 1927.
^ abc"Ireland Neptune". Aero Digest. 12 (5): 804. May 1928.
^ abc"Aerofiles: Ireland". Retrieved 17 July 2020.
^"Ireland advertisement - Another Ireland Flying boat to Curtiss". Aero Digest. 13 (6): 1217. December 1928.
Further readingedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ireland N-2 Neptune.
Grey, C.G., ed. (1928). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1928. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.
February 16, 2024
ireland, neptune, four, five, place, pusher, configuration, biplane, sold, flying, boat, amphibian, versions, designed, first, flown, 1927, well, over, were, built, neptunefirst, 1928role, four, five, seat, cabin, flying, boat, biplane, some, amphibious, natio. The Ireland Neptune was a four or five place pusher configuration biplane sold in flying boat and amphibian versions Designed in the U S and first flown in 1927 well over 50 were built Neptunefirst N 2B in 1928Role Four or five seat cabin flying boat biplane some amphibious National origin United StatesManufacturer Ireland Aircraft later renamed Amphibions Inc First flight 1927Number built about 56 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Specifications N 2C 6 Notes 7 References 8 Further readingDesign and development edit nbsp N 1B 3 view with inline engine nbsp N 2C Neptune nbsp N 2C 3 view showing swept wing and landing gearThe Neptune was a biplane with a single pusher configuration engine mounted just under the upper wing and with a conventional hull 1 The 1927 type N 1B was initially advertised with engines in the 90 220 hp 67 164 kW power rang 2 and an early 3 view shows it with an inline engine 3 but it first flew in late 1927 with a 220 hp 160 kW Wright J 5 C radial 4 About five more of this flying boat sub type were built but despite the 220 hp Wright they were underpowered when loaded and so most were re engined into N 2Bs 5 This was also a flying boat It had a 300 hp 220 kW Wright J 6 9 but was otherwise similar to the N 1B The N 2C which followed it into production was an amphibian and had a further 50 power increase from its heavier 450 hp 340 kW Pratt amp Whitney R 1340 Wasp The power increase required a new three bladed propeller in place of the earlier 8 ft 2 4 m 2 bladed one used by the N1 B and it had a swept upper wing and a 1 ft 300 mm increase of lower span 1 4 The Neptune was an unequal span single bay biplane with its lower wing on top of the hull and close to the water but with a wide interplane gap The lower wing had a span 85 of the upper and was significantly narrower but only it carried dihedral The wings were rectangular in plan out to rounded tips apart from a central cut out in the upper trailing edge for propeller rotation Frise type Alcad covered ailerons were fitted only on the upper wings Both wings were built around spruce spars and were fabric covered and braced together by pairs of outward leaning parallel interplane struts The upper centre section was mounted over the hull on a pair of sturdy N form struts which were also the main engine supports Leading edge sweep on the N2 C was about 7 1 The hull had a Cr Mo steel tube structure which was Alcad clad The planing bottom had a shallow V section and a single step under the wing though it ended abruptly mid way between wing and tail Stability on the water was provided by small floats mounted below the interplane struts The first few N 2Bs had open cockpits 5 but most had glazed cabins like that of the N 1B 3 as did the N 2C Crew and passengers were accommodated in two rows of side by side seats with the pilot s seat on the front row well ahead of the upper leading edge Entry was via upward opening doors 1 Behind the wings the hull tapered to a conventional tail Its fin was broad and tetrangular in profile carrying a large balanced rudder A small near rectangular tailplane was mounted on top of the fin braced by inverted V struts to the hull The elevators were larger and balanced separated by a cut out for rudder movement The tailplane was structurally similar to the wings but the other tail surfaces had metal frames All were fabric covered 1 The amphibious N 2C had mainwheels on short oleo strut legs close to the hull sides with rear drag struts and an oleo tailskid at the extreme rear fuselage Wheel retraction was manual and took about 30 seconds 1 4 Operational history editAbout 46 flying boats and 10 amphibians were completed though histories are sparse Two at least were used by Curtiss Flying Services an air taxi service the first from mid winter 1927 8 along the New England coast joined by another based in Florida a year later 6 Variants editData from Aerofiles 5 N 1B Neptune 1927 four seat amphibian with a 9 cylinder 220 hp 160 kW Wright J 5 About six built N 2B Neptune 1928 five seat Notes 1 flying boat with a 9 cylinder 300 hp 220 kW Wright J 6 9 About 40 built N 2C Neptune 1929 five seat Notes 1 amphibian with a 9 cylinder 450 hp 340 kW Wasp C 10 built N 2D Neptune 1929 300hp Wright J 6 pusher ND 5 1929 5pCBAm 450hp Wasp pusher ND 6 1929 ND 5 with 300hp Wright J 6 pusher Operators editCurtiss Flying ServicesSpecifications N 2C editData from Aero Digest May 1931 1 General characteristicsCrew One Capacity Three Length 31 ft 9 4 m Upper wingspan 40 ft 12 m Lower wingspan 35 ft 11 m Height 12 ft 2 5 in 3 721 m Wing area 376 sq ft 34 9 m2 Airfoil Curtiss C 72 Empty weight 3 240 lb 1 470 kg Gross weight 4 900 lb 2 223 kg Fuel capacity 85 US gal 71 imp gal 320 L Powerplant 1 Pratt amp Whitney R 1340 Wasp Wasp C nine cylinder radial in pusher configuration 425 hp 317 kW Propellers 3 bladed Hamilton StandardPerformance Maximum speed 120 mph 190 km h 100 kn Cruise speed 95 mph 153 km h 83 kn Landing speed 48 mph 77 km h 42 kn Range 380 mi 610 km 330 nmi Service ceiling 16 000 ft 4 900 m Rate of climb 900 ft min 4 6 m s Notes edit a b Aero Digest April 1931 describes this as a four seaterReferences edit a b c d e f g Amphibions Aero Digest 18 4 76 April 1931 Ireland advertisement Aero Digest 10 5 482 May 1927 a b Neptune 3 view Aero Digest 10 6 586 June 1927 a b c Ireland Neptune Aero Digest 12 5 804 May 1928 a b c Aerofiles Ireland Retrieved 17 July 2020 Ireland advertisement Another Ireland Flying boat to Curtiss Aero Digest 13 6 1217 December 1928 Further reading edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ireland N 2 Neptune Grey C G ed 1928 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1928 London Sampson Low Marston amp Company Ltd Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ireland Neptune amp oldid 1125836469, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
