Napier-Heston Racer

The Napier-Heston Racer, also referred to as the Heston Type 5 Racer or Heston High Speed Aircraft J.5,[1] was a 1940s British single-seat racing monoplane first conceived by D. Napier and Son Ltd., and built by the Heston Aircraft Company Ltd, for an attempt on the World Air Speed Record. The private venture was financed by William Morris, Lord Nuffield.[2]

Type 5 Racer
Napier-Heston Racer at Heston airfield, c. 1940
Role Single seat racing monoplane
Manufacturer Heston Aircraft Company Ltd
First flight 12 June 1940
Retired 1940
Number built 1

Design and development

The Napier-Heston Racer design team was led by Arthur Ernest Hagg of Napier & Son, and George Cornwall of Heston Aircraft Company Ltd. It was a single-engined, low-wing cantilever monoplane, purpose-built as a contender for the World Speed Record.[2] It was built almost entirely of wood, that served to ensure rapid construction, a "superfine" finish, and streamlined, "beautiful" lines. The use of a multi-ducted belly scoop and clear, low profile perspex canopy, along with a reputed 20 coats of hand-rubbed lacquer also contributed to the sleek aerodynamic finish. Saunders-Roe provided wing spars made of "Compregnated wood", a system that involved multiple laminations bonded with resin under high pressure.[3]

Diminutive, thin-sectioned symmetrical wing airfoils were designed for high-speed flight.[4] The elevator control circuit was designed by Heston Aircraft Company's Chief Draughtsman, C.G.W Ebbutt, with a variable ratio- with the stick near the neutral position, large movements could be made with small resulting pitch movements. This was needed for accurate handling at low level and high speed (the 3 km airspeed record course had to be flown under 100 ft above sea level). Towards the ends of the control column movement, the ratio increased to allow utilisation of the full range of elevator travel.[5]

The aircraft's design parameters were purposely designed around a top secret, untested, 24-cylinder, 2,450 hp liquid-cooled Napier Sabre engine.[6] Although originally proposed to the Air Ministry and receiving approval as primarily an engine programme, the Napier-Heston Racer was ultimately not officially sanctioned and had to proceed as a private venture with Lord Nuffield entirely underwriting the project.[2]

Operational history

The first aircraft of two planned for the record attempt, registered G-AFOK (call sign Fox Oboe King),[7] had its maiden flight at Heston Aerodrome on 12 June 1940, piloted by Squadron Leader G.L.G. Richmond, Chief Test Pilot of Heston Aircraft.[4] The takeoff was not without drama and a heavy bump during the high speed run in takeoff configuration (with the constricted canopy removed for the test flight), launched the Racer prematurely into the air.[8]

Recovering from the abrupt takeoff, Richmond carried out a preliminary test flight with gear extended throughout but after only five minutes airborne, while encountering inadequate elevator control, the engine overheated. According to some accounts, Richmond was being scalded by steam from the radiator mounted below the cockpit, and in haste to carry out a forced landing, inadvertently stalled the aircraft at approximately 30 ft above the airfield.[8] Other sources state that the coolant leak only occurred after impact.[9] The aircraft impacted heavily, with the undercarriage driven through the wings, and the tail broken off.[7] Richmond survived with minor injuries, chiefly burns.[10]

Napier had ordered two examples in 1938, but with the destruction of the first prototype, the Napier-Heston programme was discontinued despite 80% completion of the second aircraft, G-AFOL, the No. 2 (as it was commonly known).[11]

Specifications

Data from "Heston Aircraft"[11]British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Vol. 3[12]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Length: 24 ft 7.25 in (7.50 m)
  • Wingspan: 32 ft 0.5 in (9.766 m)
  • Height: 11 ft 10 in (3.61 m)
  • Wing area: 167.6 sq ft (15.57 m2)
  • Gross weight: 7,200 lb (3,266 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Napier Sabre H-24 cylinder liquid-cooled piston engine , 2,450 hp (1,828 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 480 mph (772 km/h, 420 kn) (estimated)
  • Endurance: 18 minutes

Comparable aircraft
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References

Notes
  1. Clare 1976, p. 426.
  2. Gunston 1976, p. 321.
  3. Gunston 1976, p. 322.
  4. Cowin 1999, p. 75.
  5. Clare 1976, p. 427.
  6. Lewis 1972, p. 441.
  7. Gunston 1976, p. 324.
  8. Gunston 1976, p. 323.
  9. Clare 1976, p. 428.
  10. Napier-Heston Racer: Air Racing History.com
  11. Lewis 1972, p. 444.
  12. Jackson 1974, p. 253.

Bibliography
  • Clare, R.A. "Napier-Heston Racer Postscript". Aeroplane Monthly, August 1976. IPC Media.
  • Cowin, Hugh W. The Risk Takers, A Unique Pictorial Record 1908–1972: Racing & Record-setting Aircraft (Aviation Pioneer 2). London: Osprey Aviation, 1999. ISBN 978-1-85532-904-1.
  • Gunston, Bill. "The Napier-Heston Racer". Aeroplane Monthly, June 1976. IPC Media.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). London: Orbis Publishing, 1985, p. 2158.
  • Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Vol. 3. London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10014-X.
  • Lewis, Peter. "Heston Aircraft." Air Pictorial, Volume 34, no. 11, November 1972.
  • Meaden, Jack. "The Heston-Napier Racer and World Records". Air-Britain Archive (quarterly), Summer 2006.
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