https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beardmore_Inflexible
The Beardmore Inflexible, also known as the Rohrbach Ro VI, was a three-engined
all-metal prototype bomber aircraft built by William Beardmore and Company at
Dalmuir, Scotland.
Role
Experimental Transport
Manufacturer
Beardmore
Designer
Dr Rohrbach/W.S Shackleton
First flight
5 March 1928
Introduction
1928
Retired
1930
Status
Retired
Primary user
Royal Air Force
Number built
1
William Beardmore and Company had acquired a licence for the use of the Rohrbach
principle for stressed-skin construction. Using these principles and drawings
supplied by Rohrbach for the RoVI, the Beardmore company designed, what was then
a massive all-metal three-engined transport, the Beardmore Inflexible.
The aircraft (Serial Number J7557) was built in sections at Dalmuir between 1925
and 1927 and these were sent by sea to Felixstowe and from there delivered by
road to the Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at
Martlesham Heath Airfield where it first flew on 5 March 1928,
appearing at the Hendon RAF Display later in the year. The aircraft was
structurally advanced for its time and had good flying qualities. It was also a
very large aircraft for the time, having a wingspan of 157 feet (48 m) - around
16 feet (4.9 m) greater than the Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber of World
War II. However, with an all up weight of 37,000 pounds (17,000 kg). it suffered
from being underpowered and, with no interest in production, the aircraft was
dismantled at Martlesham Heath in 1930. It was then used to investigate the
effects of corrosion on light-alloy stressed skin structures.
One of the aircraft's wheels survives, and is an exhibit in the Science Museum,
London.
Specifications
General characteristics
Length: 75 ft 6 in (23.02 m)
Wingspan: 157 ft 6 in (48.05 m)
Height: 21 ft 2 in (6.45 m)
Empty weight: 24,301 lb (11,022 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 37,000 lb (16,783 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed: 109 mph (95 knots, 175 km/h)
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