The Sunbeam Bomber was a prototype single-engined, single seat bomber aircraft of the First World War. Only one example flew as the type proved to be unsuccessful and was abandoned.
Following the outbreak of the First World War, the Sunbeam Motor Car Company became a major supplier of licence-built aircraft for the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), in addition to its existing work as a designer and builder of aero-engines and motor vehicles.[1][2] In November 1916, a requirement for a single-engined, single-seat bomber was issued on behalf of the RNAS,[3] and when Sunbeam decided to design an aircraft to respond to this specification, it received an order for two prototypes from the Admiralty.[2]
Sunbeam's design was a two-baybiplane of conventional tractor configuration. It was powered by one of Sunbeam's own ArabV8 engines rated at 200 horsepower (150 kW) and driving a two-bladed propeller. The aircraft's fuel tanks were located in the fuselage at the aircraft's centre of gravity, which resulted in the pilot's cockpit being well behind the wings (and 13 feet (4.0 m) behind the nose). Racks for three 100 lb (45 kg) bombs were fitted under the wings, while a single forward-firing synchronizedVickers machine gun was mounted above the aircraft's engine.[2][4]
The first prototype, serial numberN515 first flew at Castle Bromwich in late 1917, but exhibited a number of problems. The Puma engine, despite being ordered in large numbers, was unreliable and suffered from severe vibration, which considerably delayed service testing. The aircraft's layout, with the pilot sitting so far aft, gave him a poor view, and sitting 8 feet (2.4 m) away from the Vickers gun, could no nothing to resolve any gun stoppage. When eventually formally tested, in August 1918, it proved to be heavier and carry fewer bombs than the private venture Sopwith B.1 of similar concept.[4] The second prototype was abandoned before it was completed, and no orders were placed either for the Sunbeam or the Sopwith,[5] which were incapable of defending themselves against attacking enemy fighters[6] Existing two-seat aircraft such as the Airco DH.4 better met the RNAS's (and later the Royal Air Force's) requirements.[7]
Bruce, J. M. (1957). British Aeroplanes 1914–18. London: Putnam.
Bruce, J. M. (2001). Sopwith B.1 & T.1 Cuckoo: Windsock Datafile 90. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK: Albatros Publications. ISBN1-902207-41-6.
Mason, Francis K. (1994). The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN0-85177-861-5.
April 09, 2024
sunbeam, bomber, prototype, single, engined, single, seat, bomber, aircraft, first, world, only, example, flew, type, proved, unsuccessful, abandoned, role, bombernational, origin, united, kingdommanufacturer, sunbeam, motor, companyfirst, flight, 1917produced. The Sunbeam Bomber was a prototype single engined single seat bomber aircraft of the First World War Only one example flew as the type proved to be unsuccessful and was abandoned Sunbeam BomberRole BomberNational origin United KingdomManufacturer Sunbeam Motor Car CompanyFirst flight 1917Produced 1 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Specifications 3 See also 4 Notes 5 ReferencesDesign and development editFollowing the outbreak of the First World War the Sunbeam Motor Car Company became a major supplier of licence built aircraft for the Royal Naval Air Service RNAS in addition to its existing work as a designer and builder of aero engines and motor vehicles 1 2 In November 1916 a requirement for a single engined single seat bomber was issued on behalf of the RNAS 3 and when Sunbeam decided to design an aircraft to respond to this specification it received an order for two prototypes from the Admiralty 2 Sunbeam s design was a two bay biplane of conventional tractor configuration It was powered by one of Sunbeam s own Arab V8 engines rated at 200 horsepower 150 kW and driving a two bladed propeller The aircraft s fuel tanks were located in the fuselage at the aircraft s centre of gravity which resulted in the pilot s cockpit being well behind the wings and 13 feet 4 0 m behind the nose Racks for three 100 lb 45 kg bombs were fitted under the wings while a single forward firing synchronized Vickers machine gun was mounted above the aircraft s engine 2 4 The first prototype serial number N515 first flew at Castle Bromwich in late 1917 but exhibited a number of problems The Puma engine despite being ordered in large numbers was unreliable and suffered from severe vibration which considerably delayed service testing The aircraft s layout with the pilot sitting so far aft gave him a poor view and sitting 8 feet 2 4 m away from the Vickers gun could no nothing to resolve any gun stoppage When eventually formally tested in August 1918 it proved to be heavier and carry fewer bombs than the private venture Sopwith B 1 of similar concept 4 The second prototype was abandoned before it was completed and no orders were placed either for the Sunbeam or the Sopwith 5 which were incapable of defending themselves against attacking enemy fighters 6 Existing two seat aircraft such as the Airco DH 4 better met the RNAS s and later the Royal Air Force s requirements 7 Specifications editData from British Aeroplanes 1914 18 8 General characteristicsCrew 1 Length 36 ft 6 in 11 13 m Wingspan 42 ft 0 in 12 80 m Height 11 ft 0 in 3 35 m Wing area 466 sq ft 43 3 m2 Empty weight 1 915 lb 869 kg Gross weight 2 952 lb 1 339 kg Powerplant 1 Sunbeam Arab water cooled V8 engine 200 hp 150 kW Performance Maximum speed 112 5 mph 181 1 km h 97 8 kn at 6 000 ft 1 800 m Endurance 41 2 hr at 15 000 ft 4 600 m Service ceiling 18 500 ft 5 600 m Time to altitude 14 min 20 s to 10 000 ft 3 000 m 28 min 5 s to 15 000 ft 4 600 m Armament Guns 1 0 303 in 7 7 mm Vickers machine gun Bombs 3 100 lb 45 kg bombs under wingsSee also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Sopwith B 1Notes edit Bruce 1957 p 637 a b c Mason 1994 p 83 Bruce 2001 p 4 a b Bruce 1957 pp 637 638 Mason 1994 pp 82 83 Bruce 2001 p 5 Mason 1994 p 81 Bruce 1957 p 638 References editBruce J M 1957 British Aeroplanes 1914 18 London Putnam Bruce J M 2001 Sopwith B 1 amp T 1 Cuckoo Windsock Datafile 90 Berkhamsted Hertfordshire UK Albatros Publications ISBN 1 902207 41 6 Mason Francis K 1994 The British Bomber since 1914 London Putnam Aeronautical Books ISBN 0 85177 861 5 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sunbeam Bomber amp oldid 998994173, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,