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Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0146.PDF
Exterior of the new works at Willesden. IT would seem there could be no limit to the activities of the General Aeronautical Co. in reaching out and bringing under their own supervision all those things relative to aviation embraced by the word " general." Not content with supplying everything aeronautical, they have, wherever possible, attached them one by one to themselves as articles of their own manufacture. Airscrews, and many of them, they have naturally supplied to order, but not until recently have they undertaken their actual production. With the greatcall for this very vital part, brought about by the present activities in aviation, and the ever growing, urgent necessity for speedy delivery, it became almost a personal duly to the country that the G.A.C. as a trading concern, having the necessary skill and knowledge, backed by the wherewithal to start on a sound fjoting, should decide to make airscrews a proprietary article. Already cramped for room at their small fac'ory at Shepherd's Bush, they recently took the opportunity of acquiring large factory premises at Hythe Road, Willesden. Here, not only is there ample space for manufacturing on a large scale, but so commodious are the buildings that they are able to carry on on the same site their ever-growing business in the preparation of their famous dope " Emaillite." Occupation having been obtained only in January, and much building having had to be done, the premises were, on the occasion of our visit last week, hardly in full swing. Neverthe less, such is the energy displayed by the executive of the firm, that they have already been able to execute several orders for airscrews, including one for a number of four-bladers for the King of Siam, some of which can be seen ready for dispatch in the picture form ing the heading of this article. Naturally, as agents for the Anzani engine, they make a speciality of airscrews suitable for use on machines equipped with these engines, from the low-powered school Caudron, upwards. The supply of " G.A.C." and Regy propellers will be continued as before, and those having need of these, or wishing propellers made to their own blue-prints, may get into touch with the G.A.C. with every confidence that the results will be strictly true to pattern. Our photographs do not in any way convey an adequate idea of the works as they will appear when completed, owing to the fact that work is temporarily restricted to one floor, whilst the huge floor above is being prepared and fitted with every convenience modern practice can suggest, including a dust-proof glueing-room where the numerous laminations will be incorporated, and left to set in an even temperature. An item worth noting is that the proprietors have been exceptionally fortunate in obtaining a supply of well- seasoned walnut, of a quality which could not be surpassed, and with their usual business acumen, they bought up the entire batch, in extent such, that they could not find accommodation for the entire delivery, even with the storage space now at their disposal. In these days of shortages in materials, owing to the war, this should relieve their minds of much anxiety with regard to the future, and also add materially in helping on unrestricted production so necessary under present conditions. Two of the G.A.C. workshops, showing, on the left, propeller carving, and, on the right, the sawing and planing plant. , 146
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