I know most planes during WWI did not really have a throttle per say. Pilots had to "blip" the throttle/motor to control their speed. What I'd like to know is which planes had to do this "bliping" and which did not?
I know most planes during WWI did not really have a throttle per say. Pilots had to "blip" the throttle/motor to control their speed. What I'd like to know is which planes had to do this "bliping" and which did not?
If I understand correctly, any plane with a rotary engine controlled the rpms through blipping. You could additionally control your amount of thrust by selecting how many cylinders were actually firing.
My WWI aircraft knowledge is a little shaky, so I will happily learn otherwise if any of you know better.
Pretty much as Brad said, IIRC. Anything with a rotary engine would either be able to set the number of cylinders firing to adjust revs or would change the fuel/air mix to get the same effect. Sort of a semi-throttle I suppose. Blipping isn't something you'd want to overuse as it could damage your engine or even set your fuel alight at full power, less than desirable side effects. I believe it was only commonly used during landing, taxiing and dives rather than as a general speed-control method.
In-line engines had throttles in the more traditional manner. I understand that only some really early aircraft like the DH2 and the Eindecker had purely on/off engine controls, although I've also read information to the contrary.
So, Keith, TLDR version: List of blipper planes in the game then, AFAIK: Camel, Pup, both Triplanes, all Nieuports (The Siemens-Schuckerts also had rotaries, but with "proper" throttles). Definitely maybes on the Eindecker and DH2.
Last edited by IRM; 10-13-2011 at 08:26.
Yes, as Brad & Iain said most if not all Rotaries used a "Blip" switch particularly during landing as that was the only way to reduce landing speeds.
The Rotary was virtually Flat Out otherwise.
Thanks guys.
Yes! Thanks chaps, that has firmed up what I sort of had in the back of my head.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Bookmarks