SEPTEMBER 22,

1938.

FLIGHT.

261

THE CIRRUS MIDGET

New 50 h.p. Unit

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".r^s

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Typically Cirrus in appearance, the Cirrus Midget will be shown for the first time at the Paris Show holding-down bolts, and the heads are integral with the cylinders. Overhead-valve gear is fitted, operating through enclosed valve rockers and push-rods from the camshaft. The airscrew is directly driven. On the side of the engine is an Amal petrol pump with hand-operating levers. An Amal flame trap is fitted in the induction system. The makers have issued the following estimated figures (not guaranteed) to give designers an indication of what may be expected from the unit. Obviously, it should have wide application in the Civil Air Guard. The weight should be about 155 lb. ( 5 lb.) with single ignition, one petrol pump, controls, cooling chute, airscrew boss, spinner, oil drainpipe, induction system, enclosed rocker gear, and bearer feet. Other data are: 48-49 h.p. at 2,300 r.p.m. (normal), 55 h.p. a t 2,600 r.p.m. (maximum), 45 h.p. (approx.) for take-off, 49 h.p. at 2,300 r.p.m. for initial climb. The fuel consumption should be about 2J-2J gal. an hour at cruising r.p.m. (2,200-2,300), and maximum permissible diving r.p.m. are 2,730. The oil consumption should be approximately f pt. per hour. The compactness of the new Cirrus engine should delight designers of machines for the Civil Air Guard

OR some considerable time the Cirrus Co. has had under F development a new 50 h . p . four-cylinder in-line air-cooled engine known as the Cirrus Midget. According to the manufacturers, the unit is on " c h e a p but s t u r d y " lines and should enable cheaper aircraft to be produced in order to create a larger market. Originally the unit embodied a monobloc casting containing four cylinders with side valves. In the current type, however, the cast-iron cylinders are located at their base by four