Baynes Bat
The Baynes Bat was an experimental aircraft, which served as a feasibility study for a planned so-called Carrier Wing.
History
In 1941, the British glider designer LE made Baynes the proposal a combat vehicle ( it was thought, for example, on an 8 ½ t tank ) fitted with removable wings, to drag it with the help of an aircraft into the combat zone can. The tank replaced the fuselage of the flying wing glider designed as complete, it was also provided no suspension. The engine of the tank should already be started after the release into the air and are thrown off when putting the wings on a quick release.
The basic idea was seen by a RAF bar as well, however, the feasibility should first be tested on a manned 1:3 model. This model was designed by Baynes and Company Slingsby Sailplanes in Kirkbymoorside (Yorkshire ) built in 1943 and received RA809 military registration.
The first flight took place in July 1943 in Sherburn -in- Elmet held at the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment. Most test flights were First Lt.. Robert Kronfeld performed. The flights demonstrated the good-natured flight characteristics of the design, the project was not pursued because gliders were now available, could carry the appropriate tanks in the hold. Since the Bat was the first modern wing aircraft in the RAF, which was available for research purposes, more flights were conducted to obtain data on flight stability and control.
Construction
The bat was made entirely of wood and its aerodynamic properties to the full-scale Carrier Wing similar. However, the model had a small cable for the pilot. The swept wing had a main spar. Although no air brakes were available, but the Slingsby - patented served over a spring body flaps were on the outer wings over half the span attached. At the wing tips end caps used as rudder were available. The main chassis only one runner was used to move on the ground, a pair of small wheels was provided.