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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 0211.PDF
FEBRUARY 19, 1920 come forward and jump from any low height, and I'll under- take (because I've done it already) to go one lower in altitude every time with a positive-opener. No dummies, please. Unless a parachute can be relied upon to operate at altitudes of less than 250 ft., as I have five times proved the positive-opening type can be, the parachute isn't much use, however free it may be from other alleged faults. 3, Temple Gardens. T. ORDE LEES. FUTURE FLIGHT DEVELOPMENTS [1996] In view of the developments of flying likely to take place during the course of the next few years, may I be permitted to mention a few points that may be of interest. The Potez..machine, exhibited at the Paris Salon, makes a step towards new engine position, and with its vertical crank- shaft motor permits equal cooling aspect for each cylinder- head ; this no doubt is a great advantage, but I venture to suggest that a better way would be to retain the hori- zontal crankshaft position, but have the long axis of the engine parallel with the long axis of the plane and at right angles to the conventional engine position ; now that the overhead camshaft is almost universal, the air-screw drive could be taken off this by means of bevel gearing, set at the central part of the camshaft length, and driving the air-screw at right angles to it; this would also admit of the cylinder being tilted forward slightly, allowing the stream of cold air to play on the cylinder-heads as well as the exhaust ports, which would, of course, face forwards. A system of clutches, used with this engine arrangement for large double-engined machines, would permit one engine to drive both air-screws in the event of failure in the other engine. In the Paris Show report mention was also made of a system of propulsion without engine or air-screw by using the reaction of high velocity jets of gases derived from explosion on the atmosphere ; this system would seem to have the merit of simplicity and lack of wear and tear, and should its efficiency be at all'passable, should be a great step forward. I, for one, should be glad to see progress in this direction. Another point I should like to mention is in connection with the recent proposals regarding the development of a seaplane or flying-boat capable of " submerging " also ; certain aquatic birds are known to be able to travel under water at a much greater rate of speed than they can move on the surface ; in view of the important changes that no doubt will have to be made in our engines of war for offence and defence, this phenomenon is worthy of close investigation by our experts in marine and aero development. W. A. WOODWARD, Late R.A.F. ROYAL AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY NOTICES MR. J. L. COPE'S lecture on " Aerial Survey in the Antarctic " will take place at the Central Hall, Westminster, on Wednesday evening, April 7. H.R.H. Prince Albert will take the chair at 8 p.m. The Secretary attended a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Scottish Branch of the Society in Glasgow on Wednesday, February 11, and found that a satisfactory position is being arrived at, the local member- ship now numbering about 200. In the evening Col. Outram read, in the absence of Air-Commodore Bagnall Wild, owing to indisposition, a very interesting paper on " Safety in Flight." Sections of the Scottish Branch are being opened in Edinburgh and Dundee. The Chairman is Sir William Beardmore, the offices being situated at Blythswood Square, Glasgow. Major Percy Bishop, Associate Fellow, read a paper on " Aircraft Design in Relation to Standardisation " on Wed- nesday evening, February 18, at the Royal Society of Arts. Mr. H. White Smith occupied the chair. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday evening, March 3, when Prof. B. Melvill Jones, Associate Fellow, will read a paper on " Flying over Clouds in Relation to Commercial Aeronautics," Lieut.-Col. Tizard, Fellow, presiding. Both lectures will commence at 8 p.m. at the Royal Society of Arts, 18, John Street, Adelphi, W.C. 2. Members, and particularly Students, are reminded that the Library at 7, Albemarle Street, is open every day, including Saturdays, from 9.30 to 5 p.m. Members are reminded that all cheques for subscriptions now due should be made payable to " Aerial Science, Ltd." W. LOCKWOOD MARSH, Secretary. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY THE second meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday, February 11, in the Botany School, Professor B. Melville Jones being in the chair, when a lecture was given by Mr. R. McKinnon Wood, M.A., A.M.I.C.E., A.F.R.Ae.S., chief of the Aerodynamics Department, Royal Aircraft Establish- ment, on " Experimental Aerodynamics." Mr. McKinnon Wood commenced his lecture by explaining the various aerodynamic formulae and pointing out the methods used to obtain the constants involved. He then outlined the construction of the various wind-channels in use, with special reference to those at the R.A.E., and pointed out that the lift of a plane was chiefly due to its top surface. He also explained how, within limits, the stability of a machine varies as the angle of attack. The lecturer then showed several slides of the whirling arm at the R.A.E., and explained the various tests on air screws in which it is used. The remainder of the lecture was devoted to a review of the methods and apparatus used in full-scale experiments. Mr. McKinnon Wood said that in this work the two most important values to be obtained were the rate of climb and the speed at various heights. Several diagrams and photos, of the manometer were shown on the screen, and the lecturer explained how the pressure at any point on a plane could be found by means of this instrument. Finally he showed how the pitch, roll and direction of a machine in flight could be registered by means of the sun's rays falling on a film moving at a known speed, and concluded the lecture with a series of slides depicting the various types of machines designed and built at the R.A.E. Mr. McKinnon Wood said that the University had been well represented at the R.A.E. during the War, over 30 Cambridge men being engaged there in experimental and research work, and of these five, namely Professor Hopkinson, Mr. E. T. Busk, Dr. Keith Lucas, Mr. D. H. Pinsent and Capt. H. A. Renwick, had made the supreme sacrifice in endeavour- ing to forward the science of aeronautics. PERSONALS Death C.P.O. GILBERT H. WM. BUDDS, late R.N.A.S., Warwick Villa, Minster, Ramsgate, who died February 6, 1920, of pulmonary tuberculosis, contracted on active service, took part in one of the first raids on German territory, Cuxhaven, on Christmas Day, 1914. Items The first re-union dinner for officers and men who served at Cattewater during the War will be held at the Midland Grand Hotel, St. Pancras, on February 27, at 6.30 p.m. No evening dress. Any ex-officers or men or those still serving, who have not received notification of the dinner are asked to write at once to the Hon. Sec, Mr. H. F. Bosher, 33, Langdon Road, Junction Road, Highgate, N. AT Harrow Weald cemetery a cross has been placed over the grave of Capt. W. LEEFE ROBINSON, V.C., with this .inscription :—" To the ever-loving memory of William Leefe Robinson, V.C., captain, 5th Battalion, Worcester- shire Regiment, attached Royal Flying Corps, born July 14, 1895, in South Coorg, South India. Died December 31, 1918, at Harrow. R.I.P." Round the stone border it is recorded :—" He was the first airman to attack a Zeppelin at night. After a most daring single-handed fight he brought down L 21 a flaming wreck at Cuffley, on the 3rd of September, 1916. Thus he led the way against the German Zeppelin peril threatening England." Lieut.-Col. JOHN CYRIL PORTE, CM.G. (R.A.F.), of Norfolk Terrace, Brighton, formerly Lieut., R.N., afterwards com- manding R.N.A.S. at Hendon and at Felixstowe, one of the inventors of flying-boats, and formerly managing director of the British Deperdussin Co., who died on October 22 last, aged 35, son of the Rev. Dr. Porte, of Steeple Morden, Royston, left estate valued for probate at £1,446 gross, with net per- sonalty ^1,336. ^ 211
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