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Aviation History
1922
1922 - 0754.PDF
very deceptive, as they actually cover quite a large area, although a direct view of the main shops is impeded by the old house, which they now use for their offices. The works are absolutely self-contained, there being a canteen with seating accommodation for 1,000 people, a power house by which the Company will shortly generate its own power and light, ambulance rooms, and even more land for future extention. The management of the Robinhood Engin eering Works, Ltd., are nothing if not progressive, and experimental work is continually taking place, so that as aeroplane engine design im proves so will the development of " K.L.G." plugs keep pace with it until finality is reached. Rubery, Owen and Co., Darlaston, Staffs. IN addition to a full range of standard aeroplane fittings, such as A.G.S. turn-buckles, eye-bolts, bolts and nuts, etc., this firm specialises in pressed steelwork as applied to air craft construction—all-steel spars, ribs, struts, etc. They also have several fittings of their own design possessing certain noteworthy features. Shell-Mex, Ltd., Shell Corner, Kingsway, London, W.C. 2. THE excellent qualities of the various " Shell " brands of petrol could not be demonstrated better than by the list of the aviation records and successes in which " Shell " has played a part. It is to be regretted, however, the space will not permit us giving such a list—especially as it includes nearly all of them ! S. Smith and Sons (M.A.), Ltd., Cricklewood, London, N.W. 2. IT is interesting to hear in these times of a firm who is really making headway in the aviation world. After passing through, with others, the de pression of the last few years, S. Smith and Sons (M.A.), Ltd., are now manu facturing in quite appreciable quanti ties aviation instruments of every kind for foreign and Colonial Governments, in addition to Air Ministry contracts. This is proof that their policy of Two '' Smith '' Aero Instruments on the right an ai air-speed indicators and revolution indicators, and since that time have gradually increased their programme until they can now supply revolution indicators, air-speed indicators, alti meters, radiator thermometers, oil and fuel gauges, petrol contents gauges, compasses, clinometers, air sextants, etc., etc.—a very compre hensive range which, with the K.L.G. plugs added, makes the most complete equipment for aircraft ever offered by one firm. Among the latest instru ments ire the Smith petrol contents gauge, which has been previously described in FLIGHT, and the new Campbell Bennett apperiodic compass, which is manufactured by Messrs. Henry Hughes and Son, for whom Smith's are the sole selling agents for the world. This compass is rapidl gaining favour, and will fill a long-felt want. In addition to ordinary standard instruments, Smith's can also supply special apparatus for testing and calibrating instruments, including altimeter testing apparatus with vacuum pump and bell jar, special gauges for bench test, etc., etc. The record of past successes reveals the fact that when any important flight or competition takes place in any part of the world Smith's instruments have always been fitted to the successful machine. The first instance was on the late Sir John Alcock's flight across the Atlantic, and the late Sir Ross Smith's flight to Australia—in each case the machines were fully equipped with instruments of Smith manufacture. In the Aerial Derby for the last three years every machine has carried Smith's instruments, and the Daimler hire lirier G-EBBS, built by the De Havilland Aircraft Co., which up to October 7 last had travelled over 79,000 miles, was also fully equipped with Smith's instruments; sufficient testimony, therefore, of the fact that aircraft manufacturers cannot do better than go to Smith's always for their instru ments and accessory requirements. On the left the inclinometer and -speed indicator. Palmer Tyres, Ltd., Shaftesbury Avenue, W.C. 2. ALTHOUGH the aggregate time that an aeroplane functions on the ground forms, or should do, but a small proportion of its daily routine, the conditions that have to be met during that time call for none the less arduous requirements. It is only to be ex pected, therefore, that a firm of such repute in connection with motor-car tyres as the House of Palmer should also be to the fore where tyres for aircraft are concerned. Their wide experience in tyre construction, to gether with a thorough examination into the problems arising in connection with aircraft, has enabled them to produce special aero tyres of all sizes to meet all requirements, and what is more, tyres that have achieved a world wide reputation, and have contributed their full share towards many aviation successes. It should be pointed out that the Palmer Tyre Co. have not confined their activities to the tyre alone, but to the wheel as a whole— rims, spokes, hubs, etc., as well. The Robinhood Engineering Works, Ltd., Putney Vale, London, S.W. 15. IT is, we believe, safe to say that no single firm has been more intimately connected with the history of British aviation than the Robinhood Engineer ing Works, Ltd. For " K.L.G." spark ing plugs for aeroplane engines origi nated in the days when flying was still an experimental science, and were then recognised as the only plugs for aeroplane and super-efficient racing engines. Then came the war, and for four and a-half years the entire resources of the Robinhood Engineer ing Works, Ltd., were at the disposal of the Government, and the output of " K.L.G." plugs for aeroplanes increased in volume and importance. In reviewing the great deeds of the Air Force it is as well to realise that much of their success was due to sparking plug dependency, for failure over enemy country would have meant disaster, and loss of both men and machines. • The Air Ministry knew the paramount importance of sparking plug efficiency, and for that reason the entire war production of " K.L.G." Plugs was reserved for them. It may be of interest to mention that, in spite of concentrated effort and the employment of over 1,000 hands, the firm never succeeded in satisfying the demands of even the Air Ministry for " K.L.G." plugs, although they were then being produced at the rate of two million plugs per year. Their unquestionable supremacy at the con clusion of hostilities has remained unchallenged until today, and " K.L.G." sparking plugs are still used as standard fitment by every British aviation engine manufacturer. For every one of the epoch-making flights of 1919-20 " K.L.G." plugs were chosen, not only for use in the actual machine which was the success ful participant, but also by every British entrant. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that every British achievement in the air since the War has been accomplished with their help. The makers of " K.L.G," plugs have their splendidly equipped works at Putney Vale, in South West London, on the main Portsmouth road. The outside appearance of the works is maintaining at whatever cost an experimental department continually at work on perfecting the Smith aviation instruments has proved of value to them in the long run, as they are now in a position to supply, not one or two, but every type of instru ment for both experimental and general purposes. During the war they made not less than a quarter of a million Titanine, Ltd., 175, Piccadilly, London, W. 1. THE growth of Titanine, Ltd. (in its early days the British Aeroplane Varnish Co.), is by way of being a business romance. Titanine Dope came to life at the commencement of the Great War. At this time the presence of tetrachlorethane in • the " dopes " then used was taking an 754
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