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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0464.PDF
The value of the theoretical study of the conditions affecting stability and the experiments on models in the wind channels associated therewith, has been demon strated in its application to full-size machines, and much ' has been done in extending the knowledge derived from the work on models, and in determining the manner in which information obtained can be most fully utilised in the design of the numerous aeroplane types now employed. By the request of the War Office investigations have been undertaken with regard to autogenous welding, and in accordance with suggestions put forward by the Committee the use of autogenous welding has been dispensed with in parts under stress. Among other matters that have been under consideration may be mentioned the question of sighting appliances for use on aeroplanes, and accuracy in bomb-dropping. With regard to seaplanes the work of testing models of floats has been continued in the William Froude National Tank. Since making our comments last week TT /-> w 11 , upon the very patriotic manifesto issued Manifesto, by ^r- ^- ^* Wells in the Daily Express, the subject has been steadily pursued day by day by our contemporary. It can hardly be said that much new ground has been broken beyond the imme diate stirring effect produced by the first announcement of this suggestion for ending the war. Theoretically the proposition is ideal, and if the war is to continue, as some seem to hold, for a year or two longer, there is no reason why such a very revolutionary scheme should not be consummated, in spite of any countering efforts that may be forthcoming from the German side. In fact even the possible prospect of a long war may be said to fully justify the extension in every direction as quickly as possible of the widest organisation for the purpose of bringing to fruition any well-considered plan for creating a vast fleet of high-powered aero planes. The counsel of perfection contained in Mr. Wells' demand for 10,000 planes with their necessary reserves and personnel, is one, of course, to be ardently desired, although if it be possible to arrive at something considerably short of this ideal, we do not think there will be any great ground for being dissatisfied with the effective result. As a fact, it is already evident that modification in the Daily Express's expert views in this direction has already set in rather drastically, as the opinion has been ventured that perhaps it might be as well to make a start with a couple of thousand machines. This at least is getting down to earth somewhat, and brings the proposition a little more into line with the not unexpected reiterated answer of the Under Secretary of War to the effect that the Government could not see that any good purpose would be served by giving orders on so large a scale for the production of aero planes at present as 3,000. We hardly think, in saying this, anyone can accuse us of not desiring to see every feasible means employed of expanding the already greatly expanded ranks of those who have embarked upon the construction of aircraft. From our point of view nothing would be more to our liking, if it were deemed possible or advis able, than to see every workshop in the Kingdom en gaged on the production of warplanes. But there is a wide difference between hysterical dreams and common place matter-of-fact earthly realisation, whilst hysteria is not calculated to help either our cause or the industry. Just now there are so many things that matter and so much to be done in a hurry, in order to stay for a time the enemy hordes which are so persistently hammering away at the fronts with what appears to be unlimited supplies of the most destructive ammunition. It is easy enough to have every be* • switch off from their particular job, and one and all apply themselves to carry through every suggestion made for bringing to an earlier close the calamitous struggle at present in force, provided our enemies will in the meantime consent to hold up their attacks. But when such a very virile foe is confronting our hard-pressed soldiers at the front, it becomes somewhat risky to throw aside such methods for counter-attack as we have found effective, for some mythical ideal which, on the face of it, carries so many practical difficulties of reasonably early accomplishment as to rule it out of court as an immediate solution to the tangle of problems which week by week have to be unravelled. By all means let it be striven for that, as far as is possible with existing circumstances, the construction of warplanes with their engines, and the instruction and bringing to efficiency of pilots, shall be extended and persisted in. Merely the giving off of breezy opinions carries little connection with it beyond the immediate circle of admiration of each individual called upon to express his views. By way of example of this airy—in more senses than one—method of creating a 10,000 warplane fleet, the following samples may be quoted :—" There ought to be no difficulty about supply ing the aeroplanes required " ; " America alone could build a huge fleet for us "; " There are plenty of men ready to become pilots "; " The material and workmanship required can be mustered without the slightest difficulty "; " Aero planes can be constructed at least three times as fast as a motor car " ; " There need be no difficulty in supplying engines " ; " Under the instruction of garage owners working to specification, we have thousands of joiners and carpenters who could speedily finish the job"; "The training of pilots is not a very serious matter, since the average time taken to qualify for a certificate is but a matter of a few weeks "; and so on and so forth. Most of these sort of plausible views are no doubt simply the outcome of a general feeling of being in favour of such a fascinating scheme for clearing the heavy clouds of war from this troubled globe of ours. When sober figures, however, are gone into, a very different picture at once rises into strong relief; and another well-inten- tioned combination for bringing light to the world and bold advertisement to its authors has to be relegated to the place where so many " things that might have been " have to be interned. We fancy we can detect in this direction signs for this particular agitation in the following paragraph in the Daily Express of Wednesday :— " The scheme has gripped the imagination of the public, but the official mind apparently lacks the imagination necessary to realise its possibilities." " Six months hence, when the question will probably have become really urgent, the Government will wake up to the fact that a great aeroplane fleet is just the thing we need. " The matter is again to be raised in Parliament." Again, it is unwarranted for the Daily Express expert to suggest that into the answer of the Under Secre tary for War can be read that he is "under the impression that a powerful aerial offensive would serve no purpose." Such a palpable misreading of what Mr. Tennant did say can only tend to weaken the appeal which our contemporary puts forward for speeding on the output of aircraft. Perhaps under the new national registration scheme a way out of this and other mazes may be forthcoming. It will be so easy for those who are desirous of serving their country to put down their names in the official forms as
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