Landing on half a mile of grass
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Landing on half a mile of grass
Among aircraft that have been used as airliners or transport, (including before WWII when eight passengers were a full airliner load in e.g. the De Havilland Dragon Rapide
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Hav..._Dragon_Rapide
), please what was the limit of what could land or take off on half a mile of grass such as the prewar Great West Aerodrome west of London?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_West_Aerodrome
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Hav..._Dragon_Rapide
), please what was the limit of what could land or take off on half a mile of grass such as the prewar Great West Aerodrome west of London?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_West_Aerodrome
The t/o distance for a Rapide ,from the BEA Ops Manual is given as 550 yds,still air,at 5500lbs Max wt,off concrete.Landing distance is 640yds,same conditions.I would think that off grass,the T/O distance is about 600yds,and same for landing.
I've seen Torquil Norman fly his Rapide off 410m of grass, without difficulty, albeit quite lightweight.
Half a mile is near as dammit 800m, or about the length of Popham, which I've seen a DC3 flown from also.
G
Half a mile is near as dammit 800m, or about the length of Popham, which I've seen a DC3 flown from also.
G
what was the limit of what could land or take off on half a mile of grass such as the prewar Great West Aerodrome west of London?
Last edited by DaveReidUK; 9th Apr 2014 at 17:31. Reason: typo
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Allan Lupton wrote:-
> Yes it has
> Handley Page H.P.42 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thanks. I have put in a redirect from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=HP42
> Yes it has
> Handley Page H.P.42 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thanks. I have put in a redirect from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=HP42
Then there was the mighty Ensign.
According to a Martlesham Heath report, at 49,000 lb it could take off after a 350 yard run and land "with brakes" in 280 yards. But no idea if this was on grass.
According to a Martlesham Heath report, at 49,000 lb it could take off after a 350 yard run and land "with brakes" in 280 yards. But no idea if this was on grass.
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Working from the visitor lists for the RAeS Garden Parties at Heathrow, KLM flew DC-2s and DC-3s there, the DH91 Albatross visited, an early Vickers Wellington also. The Croydon Airport Society have a record that Lord Forbes DC-1 landed at Heathrow . Various Lockheed twins flew there ,too.
The Empire flying boat Calpurnia displayed there in 1938 but didn't land :-)
The Empire flying boat Calpurnia displayed there in 1938 but didn't land :-)
LM,
So by definition, not one of your "excellent" landings.
So by definition, not one of your "excellent" landings.
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Bit more than a half-mile but definitely grass...the C-121 Connie at Middle Wallop 1998
Photo: N494TW Private Lockheed L-749A-79 Constellation by Geoff Harber - JetPhotos.Net
and
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/241014...l_AND_w_IS_all
Photo: N494TW Private Lockheed L-749A-79 Constellation by Geoff Harber - JetPhotos.Net
and
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/241014...l_AND_w_IS_all
Last edited by A30yoyo; 10th Apr 2014 at 18:31.
"What was the distance from where IT and you landed?"
Right next to it. The parachute opened at 190 ft according to Boscombe Down ballistics department and I landed about 40 yds from the fireball.
Fark isn't the word.............................
Right next to it. The parachute opened at 190 ft according to Boscombe Down ballistics department and I landed about 40 yds from the fireball.
Fark isn't the word.............................