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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0132.PDF
JySHT] 77 mm. shell, which failed to explode, was able to make a return trip of 40 kiloms. back to its hangar. " The cross-braced metal hull of a Zeppelin will cause every bomb that is in the least sensitive to explode. The time fuze shell, set to explode at a given height, which is easily determined by the apparent dimension of this silhoutte of known length, are, moreover, to be used exclusively. As regards lighting up the skies in order to direct the fire, this is to-day child's play. "Against aeroplanes the Zeppelin defends itself by running away and by machine-guns. The maximum speed of the great Zeppelins being about 72 kilom. per hour, all our aeroplanes would gain on it at the rate of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour, some of them even by 50. The great thing is never to lose sight of it, but it should be noted that if it leaves Paris we know where it has gone. Flying at night time is a thing with which to-day our aviators arc- quite familiar. " It is not impossible that a squadron of Zeppelins might pass in spite of all difficulties, but it is difficult to admit that it could ever return without having to give battle. And in case of battle it would be at least partially destroyed. " The machine-guns which are carried on a Zeppelin would not be very dangerous to an aeroplane. Its gunners would have no more chance of hitting an aeroplane in a vital spot than one would have from another aeroplane. But it would be necessary to get to close quarters, as evidenced by experience. On the other hand, what a fine target for certain projectiles of a somewhat special nature would be this section of 2,688 sq. metres. Besides, it is possible that the machine-guns carried on top for defence against attack from above have been abolished. There has been talk of regrettable incidents ; a balloon set on fire by a machine-gun. The dirigibles captured in Russia had in every case only two or three machine-guns on board, which would be only just sufficient for the equipment of the nacelle. Our pilots will take care to go and see, and having seen, they'll set to work. They have now the necessary ® ® fAIRCRAFT A MANY of the component parts which go to the making of an aeroplane are of such special design and construc tion that it is not surprising that certain firms find it worth their while to make a speciality of them, designing and laying down the necessary machinery, as well as training men to turn out the parts rapidly and economi cally. Such a firm is the Aircraft Accessories Co., Ltd., of Shaftesbury House, Ewell Road, Surbiton, who, at their works at Tolworth, Surrey, have, by way of an A set of BlerioMypz shock absorbers made by Aircraft Accessories, Ltd. example, unique facilities for making such details as shock absorbers. In the [accompanying illustration, three shock absorbers are seen of various sizes of the Bleriot type, of which a large quantity have been manufactured, and it is sufficient testimony to the care taken in the selection of the material, and in the process of manufacture, that the British-made article has been pronounced by the firm to whom they were supplied, as being considerably superior to the original fitting as produced in France. The actual process of manufacture is an intricate one, requiring skilled labour and constant supervision. The FEBRUARY 19, 1915. offensive weapons. There lagain, only the sudden attack could succeed. " The whole thing then resolves itself into one question, Can the Zeppelins pass unobserved ? The most important question is to note and signal their appearance. From this moment on the problem is solved, and I shall conclude with the following data : Can the Zeppelins get to Paris or London ? By day, no. By night, it is possible that they will come, but in small numbers, and I think that they will attempt to come. " Will they be signalled before they arrive ? There is every reason to believe it, but it is naturally impossible to state definitely. Every precaution has been taken in this respect. " Can they throw projectiles? Within the restrictions indicated above, yes, but they can only do so in passing, already in flight, without aim ; and the quality of the projectiles dropped on previous occasions of bombardment are not of a dreadful nature. " Will they be attacked and destroyed? There is every chance that they will be attacked on the outward journey, and it is almost certain that they will be attacked on the return journey. All chances are against them in an aerial battle. "The risks, not only material but moral, of such an expedi tion therefore appear frankly greater than the slight, purely moral, advantages that our enemies might gain from it. " Taking it altogether, it is much less dangerous;than the smallest epidemic or even than a simple flood. Motor cars, actually at the front, caused the violent death of 397 people in Paris in 1913. The Zeppelins are far less formidable. And yet, who ever thought of being afraid of the autos. ? The German aeroplanes were more to be feared during the month of August than are the airships of the old Count. We guarded against the first by keeping smiling ; it is far less difficult to defend oneself against the others. It is because I am convinced that they will come that I go to sleep quietly. Our fathers, during the siege of 1870, saw similar things without thinking themselves heroes." ® © CCESSORIES, core is made up of a large number of strands of fine rubber, over which, while it is held at considerable tension, a covering made of specially-treated thread is woven on by a braiding machine. The making and fixing of the metal ends of the shock absorbers also necessitates a great amount of care, but it is satisfactory to learn that all the fittings produced by the firm have had no difficulty in passing the official tests. Another speciality of the Aircraft Accessories Co. is a very strong cork composition, which, combining the qualities of lightness and considerable strength, is utilised for such purposes as distance pieces between the laths used in the planes of some machines to ensure that the The A.A. belt-fastener. section of the wing preserves its correct shape. Except to those firms who use it in this way, the material is not generally known, but when its qualities become more familiar to those responsible for the design and manu facture of aeroplanes, its application will doubtless be considerably extended. As one of the directors of the firm has had a very long experience in connection with various types of belting, a speciality is being made of this. There are many fittings and accessories in connection with flying machines, in which leather is used at present, where it is probable that it would be more advantageous to use a material similar
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