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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 0677.PDF
"AIRCRAFT DISPOSAL" IN spite of its uninspiring name, the Waddon Salvage Depot is a most interesting place at the present time. Up to the time of the signing of the Armistice it was known officially as NA.F. I, or National Aircraft Factory No. i, and was only just getting into its stride, producing aeroplanes. Now it is known as A.S.D. 3, and is being utilised as a centre for the disposal of surplus aircraft and material and the salvage of damaged and obsolete aeroplanes and parts. It is such a short time since the cry on all sides was for more and more aeroplanes for the Royal Air Force that it is a little difficult to realise that one of the most acute problems facing the authorities at the present time is the disposal of its surplus machines. Down at Waddon can be seen rows and rows of aeroplanes and stacks of engines—not simply dumped down, but all carefully sorted and arranged so that they take up the minimum of room, yet leaving ample space for inspection. Great attention has been given to the question of ensuring that the machines do not deteriorate while being stored. In the case of the D.H. 9's seen in one photograph, the wheels are raised clear of the ground by wooden blocks, the weight of the fuselage is taken by the end of the longerons, and where one fuselage rests on another the point of contact is on a bulkhead, so that the framework cannot be distorted. This method is not suitable for all machines but in every case the principle is the same although the application may be slightly different. The wings are stored in separate racks in close proximity to the bodies, so that if anyone chooses a particular machine it can easily be got out in a very short space of time, and at the most only disturbing three machines. The same care is taken in the storing of propellers and spare wings. In the case of the engines the process is a little different. They mostly arrive in cases and after being unpacked are mounted on a special stand, thoroughly cleaned and greased. Then they are graded as follows : "A," brand new ; " B," used, but as good as new " C," secondhand but serviceable ; " D," damaged or incomplete. They are then taken to the store where the various engines are grouped according to make and condition. One of our photos shows a corner of this store. Alongside the factory is a large aerodrome, so that when a machine has been selected it can be assembled, tested and flown awav. <«> <$> German Claim for Height Record ACCORDING to a message from Basle the German Lieut. Diemer claims to have broken the altitude record by climbing to 9,200 metres (30,360 feet) in 90 rains. It is not clear whether this is claimed as a world's record, or only one for Germany, but it is stated that the flight was observed by an International Commission. Peace Treaty by Aeroplane LIEUT. KRAUSE, who, on May 10, flew from Paris to Copenhagen in eight hours, continued the journey two days So far we have dealt with the handling of complete machines and parts, but there is another side to the work at Waddon. It is a receiving depot for a great deal of the " junk " of the R.A.F. —crashed and damaged aeroplanes and bits thereof— and it is the job of the factory to reduce this to " produce." When the train disgorges its load of broken wood and twisted metal it appears almost hopeless to turn such chaos into order, but the system has now been so developed that in a very short time the various classes of material are sorted out. The fabric is carefully stripped and packed up to go to another factory, where the dope is recovered and then sent on to make high-class paper, the instruments, fittings, strainers, and wires, etc.. are taken to the store, and the wood-work is utilised for making the racks and engine stands in the store.s The metal is sorted out and wherever fittings are recoverable they are taken off and sent to the store. As far as possible the steel parts are classified according to the material and the non-ferrous metals go to the foundry where they are melted down. The method of dealing with damaged radiators gives one an idea of the way in which the department goes to work. First of all the radiator is placed in an oven and the solder is run off ; then the soft brass shell is melted down into ingots and the hard brass tubes, in their turn, go through a similar process ; and all three classes of ingots are in great demand. A visit to the factory leaves one outstanding impression— that a serious attempt is being made to turn all this surplus material to as good account as is possible and to obtain the utmost value from it. It is also extremely satisfactory to know that practically all the work is being done by discharged sailors and soldiers ; many of whom have either lost a limb in the War or suffered some disablement. There is a certain amount of female labour employed, but, here again, preference is given to the widows and dependents of those who have given their lives for their country. From what has been said it will be gathered that Waddon presents plenty of opportunities for those who are in the market for aircraft or materials ; but, in the first place, enquiries should be directed to the Aircraft Disposal Board's offices in York House, Kingsway, where samples are on view of almost everything obtainable, from complete aeroplanes to bolts and nuts. Waddon is, to all intents and purposes, a wholesale warehouse—and a wonderful place. <s> <s> later and arrived safely at Stockholm, although he had to come down on the way to make a slight adjustment. He had a passenger and carried mails as well as copies of the Peace Treaty for the Scandinavian Governments. Photographing an Eclipse from an Aeroplane PROFESSOR DAVID DODD, of Amherst College Astronomica 1 Observatory, left New York on May 14 for Montevideo, where he proposes an ascent in an aeroplane to observe the eclipse of the sun on May 29. He proposes to go 10,000 ft. up to take photographs. ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ALLIANCE-NAPIER BIPLANE : Last week we published a photograph of this machine, which has a speed of 140 m.p.h. and a range of 3,000 miles. It is fitted with a Napier Aero engine. In front of the machine are seen some of the people who have helped to build it 677
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