Handley Page HP.115

infobox Aircraft
name=HP.115
type=research aircraft
manufacturer=Handley Page


caption=HP.115 during trials
designer=
first flight=17 August 1961
introduced=
retired=1974
status=
primary user=Royal Aircraft Establishment
more users=
produced=
number built=1
unit cost=
variants with their own articles=

The Handley Page HP.115 was a British delta wing research aircraft built by Handley Page to test the low speed handling characteristics to be expected from a supersonic airliner of slender configuration.

Design and development

The HP.115 was designed to explore the low speed envelope of slender, delta wing aircraft. It featured a delta wing of very low aspect ratio swept at 75 degrees and a fixed tricycle undercarriage derived from the main gear of a Percival Prentice and the nosegear from a Miles Aerovan [ Winchester 2005, p. 135.] . The fuselage was quite slim and narrow except at the nose where it bulged to give space for the cockpit. It was powered by a single Bristol Siddeley Viper turbojet set at the base of the tailplane fin.

The aerofoil section was a modified bi-convex type with the maximum thickness at 40% of the chord. This section was chosen as being representative of the type likely to be adopted for a supersonic transport. It had a favourable chordwise distribution of crosssectional area and hence a low wave drag in supersonic flight. A unique plywood leading edge was employed wherein new sections of different degrees of camber could be substituted although in practice, this feature was never used.

Testing and evaluation

The single aircraft "XP841" flew for first time on 17 August 1961 at the Royal Aircraft Establishment with J.M. Henderson at the controls. It was subsequently used for low speed research in support of the Concorde development programme while the BAC 221, (a modified Fairey Delta 2) covering high speed research. The HP.115 was a very capable aircraft; pilots were able to demonstrate rapid changes of bank, while still safely retaining control at speeds as low as 69 mph (111 km/h). Winchester 2005, p. 134.] Despite two minor mishaps, the experimental programme was a very lengthy one continuing until 1974, providing significant data regarding delta wing operations in takeoff and landing. Winchester 2005, p. 134.]

Neil Armstrong was due to fly the HP.115 as a test pilot in 1962, but after his selection as an astronaut, NASA refused him permission to fly the aircraft. He eventually flew it in 1971.

The HP.115 is preserved at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton forming part of the "The Leading Edge Exhibition," alongside the BAC 221 and a Concorde prototype.

Operators

;UK
*Royal Aircraft Establishment

pecifications (HP.115)

"X-Planes and Prototypes: From Nazi Secret Weapons to the Warplanes of the Future" Winchester 2005, p. 134.] aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=jet

ref=

crew=1
capacity=
payload main=
payload alt=
length main= 50 ft 4 in
length alt=15.33 m
span main=20 ft
span alt=6.1 m
span sweep=75
height main=12 ft 9 in
height alt=3.9 m
area main= 432 ft²
area alt=
airfoil=
empty weight main= 3,680 lb
empty weight alt=
loaded weight main= 5,050 lb
loaded weight alt= 2291 kg
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=
max takeoff weight alt=
more general=

engine (jet)=Bristol Siddeley Viper BSV.9
type of jet=turbojet
number of jets=1
thrust main= 1,900 lbf static
thrust alt=
thrust original=
afterburning thrust main=
afterburning thrust alt=
engine (prop)=1
type of prop=
number of props=1
power main=
power alt=
power original=

max speed main= 248 mph
max speed alt=
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
range main=
range alt=
ceiling main=
ceiling alt=
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=* Endurance: 40 minutes

armament=

avionics=

References

Notes

Bibliography

* Barfield, Norman. "Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde." "Aircraft in Profile, Volume 14". Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications, 1974. ISBN 0-85383-023-1.
* Barnes, C. H. "Handley Page Aircraft Since 1907". London: Putnam & Company, Ltd., 1987. ISBN 0-85177-803-8.
* Clayton, Donald C. "Handley Page, an Aircraft Album". Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Ltd., 1969. ISBN 0-7110-0094-8.
* Winchester, Jim. "Handley Page HP.115 (1961)." "X-Planes and Prototypes: From Nazi Secret Weapons to the Warplanes of the Future". London: Amber Books Ltd., 2005. ISBN 1-904687-40-7.

External links

* [http://britishaircraft.co.uk/aircraftpage.php?ID=241 British Aircraft Directory entry]
* [http://www.handleypage.com/Aircraft_hp115.html Handley Page website]
* [http://www.fleetairarm.com Fleet Air Arm Website]