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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 0233.PDF
FEBRUARY 26, 1920 Fig. 7. average weight for the usual German wing fabric, including dope, etc., is 1 oz. per sq. ft.) Analysis of the material shows :— Copper . . .. 4-46 Zinc Tin. .. .. .. Nil. Manganese .. Lead . . .. Trace. Magnesium Iron .. .. o. 60 Silicon .. Nil. .. 0.2S .. 0.50 •• 0.39 Duralumin."This analysis shows that the material is Physical TestsTest pieces cut from the sheet in two perpendicular direc- tions gave :— A B Yield .. .. 18.2 .. 18.1 tons per sq. in. UliUltimate Elongation Reverse beads i8.8 3-3 3 19-4 ..3 .3 per cent. 3 These values correspond to a strength of 650 lbs. per in. (The above figures are much below the requirements of Air Board Specification for Duralumin sheet. Micro-Examination The micro-structure shows that the sheet has apparently not been heat treated after rolling, the section showing the elongated crystalline structure characteristic of cold rolled material. Ailerons It is evident from the scale drawings and photographs that the upper plane only is furnished with ailerons ; that the ailerons are of the balanced type ; and that each one reaches from the centre section to the wing tip. The construction is si"mple. A duralumin tube passes from end to end, along the front lower edge, and to this is riveted the duralumin sheet which forms the lower surface of the aileron. A construction somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 21 supports the upper sheet, and the two sheets are riveted together at the rear. A hinged strip, about 4 ins. wide, and capable of moving upwards only, is fixed near the rear edge of the upper plane, thus bridging the gap between aileron and wing. (To be Continued) "AVIATION—PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE' UNDER this title Maj.-Gen. Sir F. H. Sykes, G.B.E., K.C.B., C.M.G., Controller-General of Civil Aviation, gave a most instruc- tive lecture to the University of Liverpool on February 23. After rapidly sketching the early history of aeronautics—balloons, airships and aeroplanes—Gen. Sykes went on to show how aviation had developed in recent years, and said that ti was now availing itself of the progress made during the War to meet the requirements of peace. He pointed out the types of aeroplanes and airships which can be utilised for civil aviation and the relative advantages of each aircraft. He went on to say that Britannia must rule not only the waves but the air, and consideration must, therefore, be given to the framework of an adequate Imperial Air Force and an efficient staff. The first line of defence or offence would be the Royal Air Force, and we must look to commercial aviation to provide capable aviators for the R.A.F., machines, factories and designing staffs in time of national emergency. The establishment of British commercial aviation on a sound basis was essential both in the interests of Imperial mutual understanding, of trade and of national security. One of the methods of assisting its growth was the organisation of the Imperial Air routes. Gen. Sykes then gave a rbsumi of the work done and being done in connection with the routes to Egypt, to India, to Australia, the Cape, Canada, etc. Dealing with some of the practical work being done by aircraft, Gen. Sykes said the United States were making interesting experiments in the use of aircraft for forest patrol. During the years 1910 to 1917 forest fires resulted in an annual loss of $3,758,356. From June to October of last year aeroplane patrols covered 202,009 miles, and discovered 442 fires. The advantages of air patrol were : (a) Visual command of those portions of forest inaccessible to regular patrols ; (ft) Ready detection of the origin of fires ; (c) More efficient control and communication ; and (d) Economy of time. The achievements of air photography during the War were very remarkable. Not only was the whole system of enemy defence photographed, but the maps of such countries as the Dardanelles and Palestine, which were often inaccurate, were rectified and amplified by the results of air photography. There were portions of Africa, Australia and Canada, only accessible to the ground surveyor with difficulty, which offer great opportunities for air survey. The Air Board of Canada was giving due consideration to the question of surveying the northern parts of all the provinces from Quebec west- wards by air. Recently, consideration has been given to the feasibility of conducting an expedition to the South Pole by air for the purpose of circumnavigating the Antarctic Continent, ob- taining geological and meteorological data, information for the whale industry, and extending our knowledge of Antarctica generally. The mean temperature of the warmest month probably never exceeds freezing point, and the surface winds were remarkably strong and persistent, though there was a relatively calm passage between the Ross Sea and the Pole. Still, there were enterprising spirits who contemplated the expedition. In Germany an air police force has been organised and was credited with having assisted in the maintenance of order during recent unrest. In the United States a seaplane patrol had been used at Los Angelos to locate schools of fish and to report to the local fishing fleet by wireless. In the Philippine Islands a contract was being entered into with an aviation firm for carrying doctors and medical aid to remote districts in the event of an outbreak of plague. Commercial aviation, to be successful, must rest upon a sound economic basis. At present charges were high, but they might be regarded as experimental, though high speed would always necessitate high rates. Their reduction would be effected so soon as an increase of mails, passengers and freight was assured. Meanwhile, the State was giving its assistance by the organisation of air routes with the innumerable factors involved, wireless communication and meteorological research. Until such time as aviation could use its own wings, the fledgling must be assisted by the State. L Swedish-Finnish Air MailsFROM information published by the Dagens Nyheder, it appears that the regular air service between Helsingfors and Stockholm will begin in May next, one aeroplane flying from Helsingfors every day, carrying two or three passengers and 300 kilogrammes of mail. 233
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