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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 1070.PDF
Has it ever occurred to you that there is any particular difficulty in making the well-known L section piston rings for Gnome engines ? Considering their similarity to the familiar air-tight clips that hold the tin lid on fish paste jars, the manufacture of the Gnome piston rings ought to be simplicity itself, but I am told that it is quite a ticklish job to make them so that they do not warp. While strolling through the Beatty sheds the other day I noticed a peculiarly-shaped tool, which on interrogation I found had been specially designed for making these little brass rings. A detailed description of the tool would hardly be fair to Beatty, who has invented it, but it certainly seems to do the trick with certainty, and mighty quickly at that. I forget the exact rate of output, but you simply twiddle the thing and there you are. The ring is made. I never knew such a fellow for making everything on the premises as Beatty. He makes aero planes, he makes engines, he makes piston rings, he makes aerowheels, he makes—well it would probably save a lot of time to say what he doesn't make. I even noticed that he has his own pneumatic tyres, although I would not go so far as to say that they were made on the spot. I really should not be in the least surprised, how ever, to tumble across his motor car factory presently. xxx In the metal line the members of the Beatty staff have been working like niggers (I beg pardon, colored gentle men I mean) are supposed to, but don't. Practically all the fittings for the new little Beatty tractor biplane are finished, and the woodwork will soon be got through. I am rather anxious to see what this little 'bus will do. She is of very pleasing lines and is expected to weigh something like 600 lb. "all up," so that she should do very well with the 35 h.p. Anzani engine. This, by the way, is in use on one of the Beatty-Caudrons, and is fitted with an exhaust collector similar to those seen so frequently on the Anzanis, having six or more cylinders. Although there is probably a slight loss of power con nected with fitting this collector, it certainly seems worth it on account of the added comfort to the pilot, who escapes the better part of the oil and carbon thrown out by the engine. XXX Mr. Beatty did tell me how many machines are in use or will be before long, but I have long ago given up trying to keep account of them. I have a hazy recollec tion of him mentioning 35 Anzani-Caudrons, 45 Anzani- Caudrons, 65 Anzani-Caudrons, 50 Gnome-Caudrons, 50 Gnome-Wrights, 50 Beatty-Wrights, and possibly still more. No, gentle reader, do not trouble to start adding all these up. Beatty has not got 290 machines. It is all my fault through using 'drome phraseology. You are supposed to interpose H.P. between the figures and the type. At the schools it is never done. There is too much other work going on, so if you put the lot down at something less than the 290 you will be well within the mark. XXX After several months of downright hard work the em ployees of the Whitehead Aircraft Co. had a "day off" recently, not to loaf, mind you, but in the interest of charity. At the Old Deer Park, Richmond, described by some " Old Dear Park," the Whitehead men amongst them fixed up sides for a fancy dress football match. Some of the dresses were highly humorous and striking against the background of a football ground. I really do not know who refereed or who scored, but neither, I lay, DECEMBER 31, 1915. did the majority of the visitors, who were more interested in the fun and the players than in the game. The op posing forces were called the " Rudders" and the " Wings." The list of participants were as follows :— Wings.—Boyle (Miscellaneous), Clarke (Cowboy), Croft (Scotchman), Snellock (Jester), Harradine ("Some" American), Cory (Baby), Chandler (Queer Man), Corkling (Clown), Price (Pierrot), and Bryant (Funny Man). Rudders.—Lowe (Mrs. May), Rowland (Jockey), Howes (Good-night), Callow (Japanese), Stagg (Kodak Girl), Brown (Man in White), Havis (Young Scot), Carr (Farmer's Boy), Young (Charlie Chaplin), Wright (Red skin), and Harris (Flapper). XXX A bevy of the fair sex had volunteered to take charge of collection boxes, and when these were opened after the match in the presence of Mr. J. A. Whitehead and Mr. H. M. Cundall (Hon. Sec. of the Richmond Red Cross Hospital) the total amount raised for the Red Cross Fund was £6 6s. 2d. Quite a nice little "gate" considering what the weather was and that no fee was charged for entrance to the ground. XXX Yet another Air Service paper is to hand. This time it hails from Barrow-in-Furness, and the Editor is Mr. Alan Dilnot. Judging from the copy sent us, which, according to a heading on the cover, has been passed (and enjoyed) by the Censor, the " Pom-Pom," as it is called, should soon become popular with the R.N.A.S, of the district. It is illustrated with some humorous sketches, and the reading matter is throughout in a chatty, personal vein, at any rate in the copy under review. Here is a sample of the choice chips : Mentioned in despatches. Ehrmann, A. B., for buying a new pair of trousers after his old ones had commenced to give him a Maud Allan appearance. Hay, McCulloch, Stuart, and all the other Scotchmen, for trying to talk English. XXX A corner in the little magazine is devoted to " Polite Society Rules." The following is owned to by Arthur D. Trollope, and gives an amusing view of " When Officer Meets Officer" behaviour, the suggestive formula for such an emergency being set out as below :— "Owing to the large numbers of R.N.A.S. ratings who are applying for commissions, it is suggested that the next issue of the ' Pom-Pom ' should contain a few hints for their guidance as to behaviour during meals, as the average manners of the R.N.A.S. at mess would hardly meet with approval in an officers' mess. " The following are a few suggestions :— "It is not necessary to raise your plate from the table when taking soup, nor do you make a clucking noise as you drink it. " Do not spread your arms out too much—the Colonel may cut his mouth. " Never wipe your knife on a piece of bread at the conclusion of a meal. " Do not stir your tea with your knife—spoons are usually provided. " Never address the Colonel as • Arch '; his name may be Bill. '' If you mention a lady's name in mess you are fined drinks all round—rather expensive for you after a night with the ' birds.' " It is not usual to drink wines from the bottle. " And never, however hungry you are, rush for the joint, waving a knife and fork in your hand, as soon as it appears on the table. Was it for this that a real live Admiral has been brought along to take control ? yEOLUS, 1034
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