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Cody V
Role Experimental biplane
National origin United Kingdom
Designer Samuel Franklin Cody
First flight July 1912
Introduction 1912
Retired 1913
Primary user Royal Flying Corps
Number built 2

TheCody Vwas a single-enginedbiplanebuilt by the British-based American aviation pioneerSamuel Franklin Codyin 1912. It was built from the remains of two of Cody's earlier aircraft, and won the1912 British Military Aeroplane Competition,with two aircraft being purchased for theRoyal Flying Corps.The design was abandoned after the mid-air disintegration of one of the aircraft in April 1913.

Development and design

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In December 1911, the BritishWar Officeannounced a competition for a military aeroplane capable of carrying a pilot and observer for the recently establishedRoyal Flying Corps.First prize was £4,000, with the War Office having the option to purchase any of the prizewinning machines.[1][2]

The American showman and aviation pioneer Samuel Cody, who had developed a system of man-carrying kites from 1901, had built his first aircraft, theBritish Army Aeroplane No 1,at theArmy Balloon FactoryatFarnboroughin 1908. Its first flight on 16 October 1908 was recognised as the first powered controlled flight in the United Kingdom.[3]He intended to enter two aircraft into the Military Trials, which were planned to start on 1 August 1912: amonoplanepowered by a 120-hp (89 kW)Austro-Daimlerengine which had been salvaged from anEtrich Taubewhich had crashed during the 1911Daily MailCircuit of Britain Air Race,and abiplanepowered by a 60-hp Green engine, with which Cody had finished fourth in the 1911 Circuit of Britain.[4]

However, the biplane was wrecked hitting a tree when landing on 3 July, and on 8 July Cody crashed the monoplane, badly damaging it and killing a cow. Still keen to enter the competition, Cody used the remains of the two damaged aircraft to build a new biplane, later to be known as the Cody V, using the powerful Austro-Daimler engine.[5][6]This was apushercanardbiplane, with seats for the pilot and three other people in an open cockpit. Lateral control was bywing warping,and two vertical tails were carried onbamboobooms behind the engine.[6][7][8]

Operational history

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Cody V in flight

Cody took the new aircraft for its maiden flight on 23 July 1912, flying it toSalisburyon 27 July to take its place in the trials.[6]While Cody's biplane was, even in 1912, outdated, it was declared the winner: Cody was awarded the £4,000 first prize and a further £1,000 for the best British-built aircraft.[6][7](Although the vastly superiorB.E.2took part in the trials, as a product of theRoyal Aircraft Factoryit was ineligible for the prizes.)[9]

The War Office purchased the prototype Cody V, together with a second aircraft to be built to the same design. In October, Cody re-engined the biplane with a British-built 100-hp (75 kW)Greenengine in order to enter the British EmpireMichelin Cupcompetitions, winning the £600 prize for the fastest time over a 186-mile (299 km) circuit.[10]

The second Cody V biplane on display at theScience Museum, London

After re-fitting the Austro-Daimler engine, the prototype was delivered to the Royal Flying Corps on 30 November 1912, being issued toNo. 4 Squadronin December that year. The second Cody V flew in January 1913, and was delivered in February. On 28 April 1913, the first prototype broke up in mid-air and the aircraft crashed, killing the pilot. The resulting investigation discovered that the aircraft's structure, which incorporated many parts from the 1911 Circuit of Britain aircraft, had deteriorated badly and was in "precarious" condition by the time of the crash. The second aircraft, which was awaiting repair of damage that had been received in an accident in March, was never flown again, and in November that year it was given to theScience Museum,London, where it is displayed today.[11]

Specifications

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Data fromThe Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing)[12]

General characteristics

  • Crew:1
  • Capacity:3 passengers
  • Length:37 ft 9 in (11.51 m)
  • Wingspan:43 ft 0 in (13.11 m)
  • Wing area:430 sq ft (40 m2)
  • Empty weight:1,900 lb (862 kg)
  • Gross weight:5,512 lb (2,500 kg)
  • Powerplant:1 ×Austro-Daimlerwater-cooled six-cylinder inline engine, 120 hp (89 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed:72.4 mph (116.5 km/h, 62.9 kn)
  • Stall speed:48.5 mph (78.1 km/h, 42.1 kn)
  • Range:336 mi (541 km, 292 nmi)
  • Rate of climb:288 ft/min (1.46 m/s)
  • Time to altitude:1,200 ft (370 m) in 3 minutes 30 s

Notes

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  1. ^Bruce 1982, p.1.
  2. ^Flight23 December 1911, p. 1109.
  3. ^Jarrett 1999, pp. 8–9.
  4. ^Jarrett 1999, pp. 13, 15.
  5. ^Bruce 1982, pp. 198–199.
  6. ^abcdJarrett 1999, p.15.
  7. ^abBruce 1982, p. 199.
  8. ^Flight7 September 1912, p. 808.
  9. ^Bruce 1982, p. 345.
  10. ^Jarrett 1999, p.16.
  11. ^Bruce 1982, p.200.
  12. ^Bruce 1982, pp. 199–200.

References

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  • Bruce, J.M.The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing).London:Putnam, 1982.ISBN0-370-30084-X.
  • "Cody and His "Cathedral"".Flight,7 September 1912. pp. 808–809.
  • Jarrett, Philip (July–August 1999). "Cody and his Aeroplanes: Samuel Franklin Cody: His Life and Times".Air Enthusiast(82): 6–17.ISSN0143-5450.
  • "The War Office Competition".Flight,23 December 1911, p. 1109.
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