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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 0993.PDF
SEPTEMBER 5, 1918. mCHT 55i Instrument board and control handle of the Hannover- biplane. On the right the air-speed indicator, which is mounted on an inter-plane strut. a cable passing over pulleys and enclosed in a sealed piping system. Provision is made for filling the gravity tank from the main tank by means of a semi-rotary hand pump mounted on the left side of the pilot's seat. Taps are arranged so that the carburettors can be fed from either-tank. Oil.—This is contained in a tank on the starboard side of the engine. A glass level gauge is built into the side of the tank, and the covering of the fuselage is cut away at this point so that the oil level is easily visible. Wireless.—No wireless fittings were found in this machine, but it is adapted to take the apparatus when required. On the rear end of the engine crankshaft is a driving pulley, which can be brought into action by a clutch operated from the observer's seat. A bracket fitted on the port side of the engine over the rudder bar is evidently intended to carry the dynamo. The latter would also provide current for heating, plugs for this purpose being arranged conveniently to both pilot and observer. Observer's Cockpit.—Th e observer is provided with a spring- up folding seat, which is so low, that when seated the observer has his head level with the gun mounting. A sketch of this seat is given in Fig. 12. Provision is made for the use of a camera through a hole in the bottom of the cock-pit. This is normally covered by a sliding panel, which is operated by a return wire running over a pulley. The label shown in Fig. 13 carries the follow- ing inscription :— " This machine is arranged for photographic utensils (apparatus, implements, &c, not camera) of the photographic department. The cross tubes in the observer's cockpit low down in front are easily taken down." j The clips for holding these cross tubes are shown in Fig. 13. A small board about 12 ins. square can be let down from the back of the pilot's seat for writing purposes, and shuts up out of the way when not required. . '•»- ' Clips are provided for carrying maps, &c. 'r *:- On the right-hand side of the observer's cockpit is a small pull lever, shown in Fig. 14. In its normal position this rod projects through the side of the fuselage and supports on its outside the hinged bottom of a series cf metal pockets, made as shown in Fig. 15. It is not quite clear what purpose is answered by this fitting. Whatever the pockets contain would be simultaneously discharged on pulling the lever. Instruments.—An air speed indicator of the revolving anemometer type, by Morell, of Leipsic, is fitted on the for- ward left-hand wing strut, where it is readily visible to both the pilot and the observer. With this exception, the instruments fitted on the machine, comprising engine revolution counter, compass, barometer, &c, are all of standard type. Propeller.—This is stamped 180 P.S. Argus. It is com- posed of laminations alternately ash and some species of soft pine. Fabric and Dope.—Both appear to be of good quality, and are up to the usual German standard. Camouflage.—As will be seen from the photographs, the main planes are camouflaged with the usual mosaic of colours, yellow, green, pink and blue. These colours are dyed into the fabric before doping, and a similar decoration is painted on the fabric of the fuselage, which is generally dark-greenish in colour. ; Armament.—The armament consists of a Spandau gun firing forward through the propeller under the control of the pilot, and a movable gun on a wooden mounting under the control of the observer. The fixed gun is placed close to the exhaust ports of the engine. The mounting of the movable gun is clearly-shown in photograph F, and in Fig. 16. METEOROLOGY IN WAR TIME. ONE of the most noteworthy features of the work of the Meteorological Committee as revealed by the annual report just issued, is the great development of pressing demands for expert meteorological assistance, and the prospect of still larger demands in the future, as regards the Naval, Military and Air Services. Various projects are noted in connection with the Royal Flying Corps arranged in conjunction with the Office by Maj. G. I. Taylor, R.A.F., and the prospect of a large meteorological organisation in connection with the R.A.F. "It is obvious (the report continues) that there must be distributing centres in charge of competent meteorologists in various centres as well as London, whether they be under the control of the Meteorological Committee or not. As the Dominions beyond the seas will themselves require some pro- vision for compiling and utilising meteorological information, some co-operative organisation is called for on the part of the Imperial Government in conjunction with the local Govern- ments." After pointing outiiow much is left exclusively to private effort, the Committee state :— " Now that the weather is recognised to be of primary importance in so many of the affairs of life and the require- ments of so many departments of the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force include a knowledge of weather conditions, not only at the surface in the various parts of the globe but at elevations" which have up to now been of interest to the meteorologist alone, some more comprehensive organisation is necessary. It is also felt that the steps towards this organisation cannot be postponed until after the war. In response to an invitation from the Air Board to nominate a member of Lord Northcliffe's Committee on Civil Aerial Transport, the Report continues, the director's name was submitted. Lieut.-Col. Lyons, R.E., and Maj. Taylor, R.A.F., were invited to become members of sub-committees appointed to consider special sections of the provision for civil aerial transport. A home unit has been established to meet the requirements of a number of military services, and has been placed in charge of Capt. C. J. P. Cave, with headquarters on Salisbury Plain. The selection of men for the section and their initial training are conducted at the office. 993
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