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Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0283.PDF
APRIL 21, 1921 four rods expand or contract in the same degree under the influence of heat or cold, but only the central rod expands under the influence of light. The additional expansion so caused is used to operate a valve, C and D, which controls the passage of gas in a branch pipe between the mixer and a valve inserted in the main pipe to the burner, and controlling in its turn the gas supply to the latter. With increasing daylight the black rod expands and closes the valve ; at the approach of darkness it contracts and opens the valve. The optic is carried on a turntable (see Fig. 4), which is suitably mounted on a bearing, and it is caused to rotate by the movement of the diaphragms in the mixer, this movement being transmitted to the turntable by a shaft and the necessary gearing. By the employment of the natural rise and fall of the mixer diaphragms (caused by the pressure of the gas passing to the burner) for this purpose, no special supply of power is required for the operation. During the daylight hours the supply of gas is cut off by the Sun-valve, and the lens ceases to rotate till the approach of darkness. The gas, it should be mentioned, after leaving the Sun- valve passes through a mercury seal carried on the turntable, as the piping on the latter revolves with it—all other piping being fixed. The fourth order, four panel optic employed is composed of dioptric (refracting) and catadioptric (reflecting and refracting) elements, which serve to concentrate and project the light rays falling upon them into four diverging beams QE9B of great power, directed slightly above the horizontalLight is delivered to the upper hemisphere by the employ ment of suitably disposed refracting and reflecting elementswhich intercept part of the light emanating from the lens panels, and project it into the arc, extending from immedi-ately above the main beam to the zenith. Time and experience alone can determine the most efficientdistribution of light for aeronautical navigation. Pilots consulted upon this subject offer views so widely differentthat little help can be derived from that source. Some state that lights of many thousands of candle power, visiblethrough 180 degrees, should be placed at intervals of ten miles along the routes. Others that vertical searchlightbeams at intervals of a few miles are better than lighthouses, and again one meets the pilot who is perfectly happy withthe present arrangements. Probably the path to be followed is between these extremes.To establish costly lights only a few mile9 apart is ridiculous, and is nothing more or less than offering a pilot a well-litstreet to fly down ; the fact is that he must learn to navigate. On the other hand, the provisions now in existence for nightflying are undoubtedly inadequate. However, it is understood that the authorities arethoroughly investigating the whole subject before committing themselves to the expenditure of large sums of money. Itis perfectly easy to lay out twenty thousand pounds on only one beacon light, but it is highly desirable that all possibleprecautions should be taken to ascertain that such an expenditure produces the required results. Paris Aero Salon in November EITHER the first or last fortnight in November next willbe the period for holding the Paris Aero Salon. The exact date rests with a Chambre Syndicate Committee appointedfor the purpose, and meeting early in May. That month it is claimed will be preferable to December as it renders moreeasy the combination of the Grand Palais exhibits with aerodrome demonstrations. It is hoped next year to go onebetter in this respect, by holding the 1922 salon earlier, with even July as a possible date. A Helicopter Prize M. SOREAU, President of the Ae.C. of France, last week announced the offer by the Club of a prize of 25,000 francs for the first helicopter which shall rise 25 metres vertically through an imaginary cylinder, descending again to the start- ing spot. At the moment the offer may seem somewhat empty, but if we accept the views of some of those who are engaged upon this special problem, it should not be overlong before the Club is called upon to pay over the 25,000 francs. We sincerely trust the Club may have that pleasure and great honour. Italy Increases its Aviation VoteTHE Italian Minister of War has been successful in obtaining a substantial increase to the 17 million lire alreadyvoted for aeronautical purposes, amounting to about 30 million lire. The firms still engaged in the production -of aircraft are to receive 1 million lire each for delivery of machines and as a subsidy towards research and experiments.These firms are : Ansaldo, Fiat, Savoia, Macchi and Breda. French Machine Catches Fire ALTHOUGH it is now a very rare occurrence for an aero-plane to catch fire while flying, isolated cases of this happening are still to be found. Careful engine installation and soundpetrol systems reduce the chance to a practical impossi- bility. Last week a case of fire on board occurred inFrance. The aviator Pillon and his mechanic were flying over Villacoublay aerodrome at a height of about 8,000 ft., whentheir machine caught fire. By side-slipping down as rapidly as possible, Pillon was able to alight safely, although both heand his mechanic were badly injured by burns. They are, however, now considered to be -out of danger. PoJand " Arrests " a Zeppelin. ACCORDING to advice from Warsaw, last week a GermanZeppelin for two hours cruised over the Polish town of Czenstochowa, terrifying the inhabitants, but finally wasforced by a mishap to land in the neighbourhood. The crew, numbering three officers and ten soldiers, were arrested by thecrowd which assembled round the Zeppelin, and handed over to the authorities, who are making an enquiry. Cameras andStaff maps were found on the crew. H.S.R. Major Prince Pridi of Siam, cousin of the present King of Siam, who is at present in England gatheringinformation to assist Siam in the formation of an Air Force, at the Napier Acton factory, where he is seen in the right-hand photograph after inspecting the 1,000 h.p. » Cub » (on the left) The Prince, who arrived at theworks in a 6-cyl. Napier (left photo.), is on the extreme right of the picture, Mr. H. T Vane, C.B.E., Managing Director of D Napier and Son, Ltd., being between him and Phra Sanpakitch, First Secretary to the Siamese, " Legation. "'""\ ".,"--:: • •'• ••••,';V' 283 .'•'-••: •'•-Cy,'.:-- :L ' '
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