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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1503.PDF
NOVEMBER 20, 1919 this I suggest that all "constructional" experiments—i.e., those on girders, fabric, hydrogen, etc.—as opposed to flying experiments, should be carried out at the Royal Aircraft Establishment. This would be economical in abolishing duplication of staff and machinery, while having the inestim able benefit of ensuring that airship and aeroplane experi ments, the results of which are in many cases interchangeable, proceed side by side under the same roof. There would be no need for the erection of airship sheds at Farnborough, as it is not proposed to carry out flying experiments there. In fact, it is doubtful whether it would mean any increase at all, except possibly for a very small number of special instru ments for testing purposes, in the existing resources. Presum ably the existing practice would then be followed, in the case of non-rigid airships, of putting out the various parts to firms for construction. Until some commercial enterprise develops, it would probably continue to be necessary for these parts to be delivered to the Service—presumably now at Howden, HIGH ART IN OWING to the difficulty of obtaining the use of a suitable gallery this year, the 64th Annual Exhibition of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain has found its home at 35, Russell Square, W.C., where the series of fascinating photographic studies will be on view until November 29. Considering the charge for entrance—viz., free to all—we fail to see where the profit comes in, let alone profiteering. Even if a reasonable charge for admission were made, it should receive goodly patronage in acknowledgment of the efforts of the Society to maintain the high standard of art which is evident in so many of the works seen on the walls. All tastes are catered for from the more popular pictorial subjects to the highest technical photographic results. From abroad, in little known countries, are some remarkable records of South Pacific natives in all their natural surroundings In one from German (pre-War) New Guinea of the " Duk- Duk " man, what appears to be a huge grotesque head-gear of kinds is the attraction. It is to be hoped some observant milliner does not blow into the show and obtain inspiration from this unique study. The police would certainly have to interfere at its advent at any matinee. The rooms devoted to pictorial photography contain most of the pictures on show, and in the main room are to be found many Rembrandt effects which are reposeful and almost reach the pitch of the most cherished traditions of the brush artist. So delicate are some that they surpass even the most cleverly executed etchings, and with the artists' signatures attached convey a merit far beyond the intrinsic value placed upon them in the catalogue. The nude is well repre sented, and is surpassed only by some of the Studies of diaphanously draped figures. Portraiture finds original and varied expression, whilst in No. 12, a portrait study of the " Little Wizard," a sepia platinotype by Miss Olive Edis, is found the Prime Minister to the life. Mr. Lionel Wood is well represented on the walls, and we wish we could say that his " Aeroplane Banking " were up to the quality of the other work of this artist. Coloured photographs also afford a diversion. A set of colour transparencies stand as examples of what perfection can be obtained in reproducing nature in its colours by this process. Each plate is a study in itself, and brilliancy is ingeniously obtained by reflection through the negative, set at an angle, on to mirrors. <s> • Cricklewood to be H.P. Station As soon as Customs Offices have been erected, the Cricklewood Aerodrome will be the departure and arrival centre for the Handley Page aeroplanes carrying out the air services between London, Paris and Brussels. No Flying from Weston Sands FOR the moment the golfers have prevailed at Weston- super-Mare, and the Council have decided not to allow flying from the sands next season. When the matter was first considered by the Sands Committee, protests against the granting of the concession were made by the golf club and the residents of South Ward. The main point made was that spectators had trampled down the bents and so caused a sanddrift, the removal of which would be an expense to the golf club, while mention was also made of the nerve-strain suffered by certain residents through aeroplanes flying over their houses. The Sands Committee decided to recommend that there should be no more flying from the sands. When the matter came before the Council, there was some opposi- 051^ since that is the Only station to be retained—who would rig the ship and put her through the necessary tests. In this way a continuity of improving types—if not an adequate fleet—of airships would be ensured to the Navy until the time arrives when commercial enterprise will supply a nucleus which could be converted to war purposes in emergency. Otherwise we shall cease to progress, and merely stagnate in the condition of development which we had reached in November, 1918, with the training and experi mental airships gradually becoming fewer and fewer as they disintegrate through old age. In the meantine we have a steady flow of necessary constructional experiments proceeding at the minimum cost and with the maximum of efficiency owing to advantage being taken of the enormous experience gained with aeroplanes during the War. It is frequently too little realised how many points the airship and the aero plane have in common, emphasis usually being laid upon their dissimilarities. PHOTOGRAPHY What particularly interests students of aviation is found in the room devoted to technical subjects. No. 231 is a radiometalogram of the cylinder of a Le Rhone engine, taken in four sections and pieced together to show entire cylinder, by Hector Pilon and Geoffrey Pearce. Next to this is No. 232 showing the examination of aircraft materials by X-rays. There are six plates by Maj. G. W. C. Kaye and Dr. Robert Knox, F.R.P.S. No. 1 shows front and side views of a wooden aeroplane- spar built up of three laminae glued together. The centre layer is seen to contain forbidden knots and worm holes, and the spar was rejected. 2. Radiograph of high-tension wireless cable for a sea plane. The insulation is of rubber. On external examination defects were suspected. The nature of these defects is clearly disclosed by the radiograph. 3. Radiograph of wing skid, showing that the strut had been cut off too short and that a false packing-piece " B " had been inserted at the bottom of the aluminium socket. 4. Front and side view of end of box strut, built up largely of plywood. The radiograph reveals defective workman ship, the wooden end-block being misshaped and split by screws. 5. Front and side view of a spliced joint in an aeroplane spar. The joint could not be seen owing to its being com pletely covered by glued linen-wrapping. The radiograph revealed the type of joint to be one not authorised, and the spar was accordingly rejected. The radiograph incidentally shows the difference in opacity of the aluminium washer and the steel wire-holding plate. The difference between the light spring and dense summer growths of the wood (annual rings) is also clearly brought out. 6. Radiograph through a plank of silver spruce. On splitting the plank to discover the cause of the light and dark patches, extensive beetle borings were found. The dark dots proved to be the beetles themselves. There is also a series of cloud studies taken at two different levels, the work of Mr. G. Auborne Clarke. In the study of meteorology these indicate a valuable field for research. The exhibition, which is open from n a.m. till 9 p.m., is, we repeat, free to all, and its interest should not be judged by the absence of admission fee. <$> • tion, but ultimately it was decided to accept the recom mendation. It will therefore be necessary for aircraft com panies, wishing to fly "at Weston next year to acquire an inland aerodrome. During the past season more than 3,000 passengers were carried in Avro machines. An Aerodrome for Sheffield ? A DETERMINED effort is being made in Sheffield to secure the Coal Aston aerodrome as a permanent aviation centre, and the Corporation, at the request of the Air Ministry, is to consider the possibility of taking over the ground as a municipal undertaking. A conference of Sheffield manu facturers is to be called also to discuss the question of organis ing regular air services to and from Sheffield. Popular R.N.A.S. Reunion THE reunion held on November 8 of R.N.V.R. and R.N.A.S. men who passed through the Crystal Palace Depot during the War, was so successful that it has been decided to make the reunion an annual event, to take place on the nearest Saturday to Armistice Day each year. 1505
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