|
|
An unusually large aircraft by contemporary standards
for a single-seater, the Elephant two-bay equi-span
staggered biplane was designed by A A Fletcher of the Martinsyde Company, a prototype powered by a 120hp
Austro-Daimler engine entering test in the autumn of
1915. The initial production version, the G.100, was
powered by a 120hp six-cylinder Beardmore engine
and was armed with a single 7.7rnm Lewis
gun mounted above the centre section (this later being
augmented by a similar weapon bracket-mounted to
port behind the cockpit), deliveries to the RFC commencing
in 1916. The G.100 was succeeded by the G.102
version which differed in having a 160hp Beardmore
engine and replaced the lower-powered model progressively.
The G.100 and G.102 Elephants were used
in France and the Middle East, although only one RFC
squadron was completely equipped with this type, a
total of 270 being manufactured. While not particularly
successful as a fighter owing to its poor agility by comparison
with its smaller contemporaries, the Elephant
performed a useful service as a bomber, carrying up to
104kg.
 | A three-view drawing of G.100 (1280 x 886) |
| MODEL | G.102 |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 1115 kg | 2458 lb |
| Empty weight | 813 kg | 1792 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 11.58 m | 37 ft 12 in |
| Length | 8.08 m | 26 ft 6 in |
| Height | 2.95 m | 9 ft 8 in |
| Wing area | 38.09 m2 | 410.00 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 166 km/h | 103 mph |
| ARMAMENT | 2 machine-guns, 118kg of bombs |
Ian C Pearson, ian(@)pearsonica.fsnet.co.uk, 05.01.2008
Hi
I am now in the possesion of my Grandfathers RFC Log Book.
His name was Captain Kenneth Noble Pearson MC.
I thought you may find the following useful. If you have any cross references to photo's of the actual plane he flew I would be truely Greatful. I do have dome photo's he took of his aircraft which you may find interesting.
The Log starts by saying he was in No 20 and 21 Squadron.
He starts off in Castle Bromwich in a MF2962, MF2968 on August 9th 1915. by the 17th August he was flying Solo. This page was sigend by a Captain R Rodwell Commanding No 5 RAS, RFC.
Netheraison 26/8/1915 A792,A760,A762 (May be Netheravon)
13 Sept 1915 Joined wing
21/9/1915 BE1679, BE1681, BE5387
10th November 1915 Farnborough BE4114
26/11/1915 - BE2C 4128 Filton to Milford to Eversley to Farnborough
8th December BE2C 5388 TRIAL FLIGHTS
19th & 20th December BE2C Bristol to Farnborough Delivery flights
5th January 1916 BE2C 4158
8th January 1916 Flying in 21 Squadron RE 5 & 7's
RE5 688, RE7 2357, RE7 2353, RE7 2356 Practice dropping 500lb bombs
27-1-1916 RE2357 to Folkeston
3rd February 1916 Oreicas, France
RE2135 and RE2351 Patroling north and South course, Formation flying and Camera Obseving
2nd March RE2359 Bombing raid 3-112lb bombs - Shot down
10th and 11th March 1916 Monterial to Brisingden
13-March 1916 BF20-5 tests new engine
14th March 1916 Arras, St Pol Omer - Observer Lt Townsend put hole on prop.
18th March 1916 Bristol Scout St Omer
30th March 1916 BF 2950 own craft
30th March 1916 Martinsyde AD Scout Aerdrome
31st March 1916 RE7 2290 - Omer
5th April 1916 BE2C
10-04-16 BF 5-5
10-04-16 BE2C
21-04-16 RE7 RAF
23-04-16 Martinsyde
24-04-16 RE7 2367 St Andre to St Omer
21-04-16 C.F. 12-15
25-04-16 B.F. 12-15
25-04-16 RE7 2372 Own machine
26-04-16 RE7 2370, RE7 2361
27-04-16 RE7 2372 Bombing Raid 340lb bomb Engine blew out Starting Plug.
02-05-16 RE2C Observation test
27-05-16 RE7 St Andre - Paris Plage - Dropped 340lb bomb failed to detonate
17-05-16 M Scout (Martinsyde!!) Test guns at sea
08-06-16 RE7 2372 Total Flying time in France 90hrs 20mins Total Flying 122hrs 59mins
Flying in 27 Squadron Martinside Scouts Squadron
14-06-16 MS 7267, MS 7271
16-06-16 MS 7300
17-06-16 MS 7290 Recon to Cumbrage
20-06-16 MS 7271 Crashed undercarriage by running into hole in Aerodrome.
21-06-16 MS 7273
26-06-16 MS7298
01-07-16 MS 7300 Push Started - Offensive Patrol 2.5 Hrs over lines
02-07-16 MS 7298 - Offensive Patrol
06-07-16 MS 7300 - Offensive Patrol had 4 scraps with Huns. Hit prop. coul and intercection were listen also in planes - 15 huns
06-07-16 MS 7272 Setting Gun Sights
13-07-16 MS 7464 Cumbrai went down to 500feet and bomber train NE of Cumbrai 30 miles behind lines.
21-07-16 MS 7364 Bapauine Dropped 1 -112lb Bomb escorted RE brough down Archie. Direct hit 1 scrap him
30-07-16 MS 7300 V ...
|
|
Do you have any comments concerning this aircraft ?
|
| |
