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ratters72
Guest
Got the following from pilotfriend.com on the A2:
"One of the more outlandish attempts to design an aircraft with forward firing capabilities. The gunner/observer sat in a small cabin that was attached in front of the prop of the engine. There were many problems with this design, ranging from lack of communication between crew members, to a safety issue for the observer. Many of these planes were exported to Russia."
Russia must of been stoked. You can just imangine the comedy in communicating. Would you see hand signals i wonder? Passing notes isn't and shouting aren't gonna work. And carrier pigeon, whilst funny, wouldn't work either. Love the plane though.
"One of the more outlandish attempts to design an aircraft with forward firing capabilities. The gunner/observer sat in a small cabin that was attached in front of the prop of the engine. There were many problems with this design, ranging from lack of communication between crew members, to a safety issue for the observer. Many of these planes were exported to Russia."
Russia must of been stoked. You can just imangine the comedy in communicating. Would you see hand signals i wonder? Passing notes isn't and shouting aren't gonna work. And carrier pigeon, whilst funny, wouldn't work either. Love the plane though.
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gimpyguy
Guest
Definately had to be water cooled. Nevermind the Hand Signal comedy, I'd like to watch the dance steps done by the grounds crew, spinning the prop on that puppy 
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ovs
Guest
Spad A2 - also known as 'The Flying Pulpit'. Not a very good design and did not last long. If I recall, they pushed it off to the Russians on the East Front.
This plane is another example of when the designers do not take advice from the mechanics....
This plane is another example of when the designers do not take advice from the mechanics....
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Baywing
Guest
As I recall, it was a rotary. LeRhone 9C 80hp.Definately had to be water cooled. Nevermind the Hand Signal comedy, I'd like to watch the dance steps done by the grounds crew, spinning the prop on that puppy
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Schwarzer Baron von Chlum
Guest
Spad S.A-2 flew already in 1915.
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womenfly2
Guest
The S.P.A.D. A-2 was a very cool design. It was an interim design to counter the German aircraft with forward firing guns equipped with synchronizer.
This type of machine an all the Pusher series i.e. DH2's, FE's and such, were only used until the synchronizer was developed on the allied side.
One big issue besides the interaction of pilot & gunner/observer with any prop in back of the gun was .... you had to make very sure you caught all the empty shell casings!
It also had to be very nerving to fly around in the forward cockpit like that, let alone knowing the out come of a nose over or crash!
WF2
This type of machine an all the Pusher series i.e. DH2's, FE's and such, were only used until the synchronizer was developed on the allied side.
One big issue besides the interaction of pilot & gunner/observer with any prop in back of the gun was .... you had to make very sure you caught all the empty shell casings!
It also had to be very nerving to fly around in the forward cockpit like that, let alone knowing the out come of a nose over or crash!
WF2
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Schwarzer Baron von Chlum
Guest
Rather 80-hp Le Rhone 9C or 110-hp Le Rhone 9J.
Standard engine for S.A-2 was 110-hp Le Rhone 9J. Although S.A-2 were the most numerous of the Spad A it is by no means certain that all had the 110-hp engine Le Rhone (coolings problems) and some S.A-2 reverted to 80-hp Le Rhone 9 C (used in S.A-1). S.A-2 with 110-hp Le Rhone retained the larger oil shileds.
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gimpyguy
Guest
Pardon Me: Nobody could be that dense, as to install an air cooled engine in an aircraft design which greatly restricts air flow, unless off course if there was a large scoop on the underside ( not visable in those photos) which would cause the observer/gunner to straddle the ductwork, in much same position as a horseback rider
Note: only ex-cavalry solders who are bow-legged need apply for the position
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Schwarzer Baron von Chlum
Guest
80-hp Le Rhone 9C and 110-hp Le Rhone 9J (nine cylinder) were air-cooled rotary engines - that´s why the cooling problems and the larger oil shileds on S.A-2.
stumpjumper1
Charter Member
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DerMo
Guest
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Baywing
Guest
I would think it would be a matter of seconds before it wrapped around the prop.
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Polovski
Guest
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