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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 1120.PDF
OCTOBER 3, 1918. ....-V. ..**'. B.L.I.C. AIMS AND METHODS.' " WONDERFUL " and " extraordinary " were two words which were hard worked on Friday of last week, when, at the invitation of Mr. B. L. P. Caillard, a party of journalists A selection of all-British built magnetos made by the B.L.I. Co. were shown round the factory of the British Lighting and Ignition Co., whose products are fast becoming well known by the marque B.L.I.C. Wherever the visitors went they saw evidences of the thorough way in which the firm have laid themselves out to beat the Hun and how completely they have succeeded. Whether it was in jig-making, in lathe- work, in moulding of insulated parts, in winding coils, or in testing work, those whose experience had been of the widest had to admit that what was demonstrated to them exceeded their anticipations. Practically every process except the production of the raw material is carried out in the factory. Even the screws are made on the premises. Possibly one of the most interesting revelations was the extent to which jigs can "be devised for carrying out two or more fairly complicated operations which in the past would have necessitated a certain amount of time in changing over. This side of the business, as well as the extraordinary way in which every inch of floor space has been utilised, testified to the excellent organisation of Mr. A. E. Bennett, the general manager. At a gathering, following the tour through the Blic shops, the managing director of the company, Mr. B. L. P. Caillard, had some terse points to drive home. He emphasised the very high—not to say vital—importance of the magneto industry, both to the military and the commercial side of the world for transport vehicles, tanks and not least aircraft and wireless—all of. which were all-dependent upon this exquisite little functioning machine. One could agree with him that it was a ghastly thought that these, before the war, should have been absolutely at the mercy of Germany before they could one and all move. And to think of it, they were pocketing the entire profits upon 95 per cent, of the magnetos upon British cars. What we had in this country to now consider and provide for was the steps to take to ensure the retention of the industries which we were now for the first time really exploiting. To this end there were two prime necessities. Firstly the creation of a real and lasting under- standing between capital and labour, and secondly the ensuring that the nation—or rather the Empire—would support its own industries. And again these were dependent upon the industry being enabled to supply at a reasonable profit. To which end, a tariff would be essential and that tariff, moreover, should carry with it a clear clause, effec- tively stopping dumping. Then British houses need not fear competition, so long as the organisations were founded on a solid scientific and commercial basis. Mr. Caillard's opinion that the Blic Co. had so organised themselves on these lines, was endorsed with emphatic approval. The future of 1he Empire, he continued, was wrapped up in this problem, and if not carried through soundly, the future would be a sorry outlook. But he had distinct hopes that others in many directions were helping to ensure our future. *\Plane Tales from the Skies." EXCELLENT as was " Wing Adjutant's " first book, " The R.F.C. in the War," his second certainly surpasses it. In " Plane Tales from the Skies " he once more shows that, although he may be no stylist in writing, he does know how to tell a story. In every one of the 28 sketches which make up the book he knows exactly what he wants to show us, and he gains his objective every time with a minimum of words. Yet the atmosphere of his stories is always fresh, and there is not a dull moment from first to last. One or two of the tales we seem to have heard before, but " Wing Adjutant " tells them in such a naive fashion that it is a pleasure to meet them again. Most of the tales concern the doings of pilots and observers on the Western Front, but two of them show something of the work—and the thrills—which fall to the lot of the kite- balloon officer. Another vividly describes a balloon trip over London at night, while another has submarine chasing in a Blimp as its theme. There is also a delightful pen- picture of a wing headquarters in England, where rumour says telephone calls occasionally go unheeded and where a G.O.C. on a tour of inspection confided that " if I had a trout stream running outside my window you would never get me on the telephone at all." Last in the book, but certainly not least in interest, is " The Aerial Mail, 1921," in which " Wing Adjutant " con- jures up for us a picture of the bi-weekly aerial mail from London to Delhi, with stops at Malta and Suez, excellently done and not overdone. The book is published by Messrs. Cassell at 2s. 6d., at which it is remarkably good value. ' -•...-, • -::- • Dyke's Auto-Encyclopedia.? WE are so well supplied nowadays with encyclopedias and other books of reference to fill up the gaps in our know- ledge and to help us through the hard lessons in the school of experience that we look naturally for their assistance in every walk of life. Longfellow might have had this in his mind when he wrote :— " Honour to those whose words or deeds Thus help us in our daily needs." The true value of volumes of this type is only discovered in an emergency, and in the meantime we are apt to forget how true it is that "they also serve who only stand and wait." With such a book as Dyke's " Automobile and Gasoline Encyclopedia " the waiting periods are not likely to be long, for wherever it happens to be it is sure to be constantly referred to for something or other. The book covers prac- tically all applications of the petrol motor—cars, motor- cycles, motor boats, and in the new edition there is a special supplement dealing •with aeroplanes and aero engines. The greater part of the book is taken up with cars and their maintenance, but, after all, much of the information on this score is applicable to other forms of motor vehicles ; the principles involved are the same, although the conditions may be different. The book is divided into sections, but the carefully compiled and copious index greatly simplifies the process of locating the information desired. Bound in dark blue cloth, the book costs one guinea (postage gd. extra), and may be ordered through any bookseller. It is published in England by Mr. S. G. Gillam, Dome Building, Richmond, Surrey, who will be pleased to send a prospectus to anyone who would like further particulars. 1121
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