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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 0993.PDF
SEPTEMBER 16, 1920 also great care has been taken to ensure the welfare of theboys, there being a series of reading-rooms, billiard-rooms and a gymnasium, not to mention a large cinema hall wheresubjects carefully chosen to suit the audience are thrown on the screen. The dormitories are large, airy and well lighted, andfor use in winter are centrally heated. The " inner man " is also well looked after, as an inspectionof the kitchens showed. Three meals a day" are serveS. At first a fourth one was served in the evening, but the boysrequested that this be done away with, as they would rather have a more substantial tea, so as to leave them free to enjoythe evenings. This was accordingly done, and now all are happy. In the adjoining Cadet College the equipment, although of a somewhat different nature, is as thoroughly complete as is the R.A.F. boys' training school. Here the cadets are taught flying, navigation, wireless and a thousand and one other subjects required of the modern flying officer. Here also everything has been done to ensure the comfort and well-being of the cadets. Several tennis courts are provided, and the country around affords excellent opportunity for shooting,hunting, etc. We understand that efforts are now being made to form a club for the purchase and upkeep of horses, witha view to enabling the cadets, by a form of co-operative society, to enjoy the latter sport with a minimum of personal outlayand expense. Altogether, Cranwell Training Centre is an establishmentin which tuition is brought to a fine degree of efficiency, and the esprit de corps, which is so valuable in any service, is care-fully built-up by the officers in charge, who, one and all, ap- peared to be exactly the right men in the right place, and whotake the keenest interest in the development of the station. Although the R.A.F. is of much smaller proportions than itwas during the War, its efficiency is being maintained, and with training centres such as Cranwell one need have no fearsfor the future of the personnel of the Royal Air Force. AT GRANWELL TRAINING CENTRE : On the left the O.C. is seen inspecting a new contingent of boy recruits,and on the right R.A.F. boys at physical drill. Inset : Wing-Commander Kilner, O.C., R.A.F. boys NOTICES TO GROUND ENGINEERS (No. 7) Avro 504 and 536 Type Machines. Upper Shoe Fitting for Engine Diagonal Strut Part 100) ATTENTION is drawn to the above-mentioned fitting (Part 100) on Avro 504 and 536 type machines. Instances of the failure of this part have been discovered which, if undetected, might result in failure of structure. All ground engineers operating should make a special examination of this fitting in all machines of these types under their supervision. (No. 8) Fitting of Ballast in Aircraft ATTENTION is drawn to the precautions necessary when fitting ballast in aircraft for trimming purposes. The ballast should take the form of bags filled with earth or sand, or of weights made of sheet lead. Bags of small shot or stones should not be used, as experience has shown that such bags wear out quickly and allow the filling to escape. The bags or covers for the lead should be made of stout canvas or other strong material, and should be provided with adequate means of attachment, such as straps or strong cord, by which they can be secured in the cockpit. In order to preclude all risk of accidents, such as fouling of controls or falling out of the aircraft, the ballast should always be securely attached in the cockpits. (No. 9) Defects in Aircraft Timber ATTENTION is drawn to a common defect found in aircraft timber, especially spruce, which is usually known as " Spiral " and sometimes erroneously as ' Cross Grain." The existence of such a defect is due to the twisting of the tree during growth, and consequently cannot be determined by a casual examina- tion of the straightness of the grain. It can, however, be detected by closely examining the direction and inclination of the wood fibres. , It is usually most apparent on the "flower" side of the grain, and takes the form of small resin channels of a brownish colour, running at an inclination to the axis of the strut or spar, as the case may be. A slight inclination is of no disadvantage, but when the slope is great the timber is liable to break off short. An indication of the amount of slope, which, from experience, has been found to be satisfactory, is roughly when the inclina- tion of the fibres is not more than 1 in 15. The defect is more readily found by means of splitting the timber, the angle of the split giving the true slope of the fibres, and when making new timber parts for replacement it is recommended that the part be made slightly longer, to allow for a short piece to be cut off for splitting purposes. When making such tests the split should be made in two directions :— (1) In line with the grain, and '• - •- ' (2) At right angles to it. Examination for Aviation Ground Engineers Examinations of candidates desiring to become certifiedground engineers (aircraft or engines) will be held at the following centres during September and October :—London, Wed. Sept. 29; Bristol, Tues. Sept. 21 ; Bir- mingham, Wed. Sept. 22 ; Manchester, Thurs. Sept. 23.London, Wed. Oct. 13 and Wed. Oct. 27 ; Leeds, Tues. Oct. 19 ; Newcastle, Wed. Oct. 20; Glasgow, Thurs. Oct. 21. The examinations may be partly written, partly oral andpartly practical. They will be based on the syllabus outlined in Section 4 of the Air Navigation Directions, 1919. Candidates desiring to be examined can obtain applicationforms from the Secretary, Air Ministry, London, W.C.2, and should submit their completed forms of application,accompanied by a fee of 5s., at least seven days prior to the date on which examination is desired. Candidates shouldalso state at which of the above places they wish to be examined. A Parachute Recojrd FROM Arcadia, Fla., comes a claim for a world's record on behalf of Lieut. Arthur G. Hamilton, a U.S. Army pilot. who is said to have dropped 20,900 feet by parachute recently. He used a double parachute, the second portion being released as he neared the ground. ^... '.. .^. 995
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