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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0346.PDF
not been associated. S. Smith and Sons, it may be added, are not content with resting on their laurels, but are continu ally at work experimenting and perfecting their instruments, for which purpose they have a magnificently equipped research department at their very extensive works at Cricklewood. As a result they are in a position to supply every type of instrument for both experimental and general purposes, for in addition to ordinary standard instruments, Smith's also produce special apparatus for testing and calibrating instruments. Titanine, Ltd., 175, Piccadilly, London, W. 1. MESSRS. TITANINE, LTD., are manufac turers of aeroplane dope and varnishes and paints for aircraft of all descriptions. Titanine products are largely used in the most important aviation centres of the world, including many of the principal governments, among which may be named Great Britain and the United States. In Great Britain their products are being used on the majority of aircraft building. The doping scheme which is attracting particular interest at the moment is known as T.2.S., consisting of four coats of a red pigmented dope known as Titanine Two, which excludes the injurious ultra-violet rays of the sun from the fabric, thus preventing injury : following the red dope a covering of aluminium nitro varnish is applied which acts as a " reflector," keeping the planes cool. Among the company's products may be named dopes and varnishes of all descriptions and to suit all climates, paints for duralumin and bright metal parts, hulls of flying-boats, seaplane floats and ply wood. Also Titanine white dope resisting paint for application before covering to wood and metal skeleton parts. Titanine is produced at two factories, one at Hendon, London, N.W., and one at Union, Union County, New Jersey, U.S.A. Vickers, Ltd., Vickers House, Westminster, London, SAY. 1. The makers of the world-famous " Vickers " aeroplanes do not confine their activities to the production of the complete machine itself, but also to its components and accessories. In the first place, one of their most important " side lines " comprise the production of raw material for aircraft in the foim of special steels and the well-known alu minium alloy "Duralumin." Secondly, there are aircraft accessories, in which they have specialised particularly in the all-important matter of the petrol system as a whole. In this connection they have evolved fittings and com ponents, such as pumps, relief and by pass valves, cocks, etc., which in addition to being highly efficient in themselves, have resulted in some considerable improvement in the petrol system generally. One important Vickers air craft component is their Oleo-Pneumatic undercarriage, which employs com pressed air as the resilient medium in place of the usual rubber cord. The compressed air is imprisoned in a steel cylinder and the moving piston or supporting ram operates through an oil- sealed gland ; the oil not only acts as the internal hydraulic shock damper, but also serves to lubricate the few moving parts of the complete gear. The Reid Control Indicator is another Vickers flight accessory, while the Davis Navi gation Lights for aircraft—including a comprehensive range of head, tail, port and starboard, etc., lamps—form but one of many other Vickers aircraft com ponents. The Victoria Rubber Co., Ltd., Edinburgh. THIS is an old-established aircraft firm, manufacturing fabrics for use in connection with aviation, especially rubber-proofed for airships and balloons. Beyond this, there is, we are afraid, little else for us to say as regards this firm, except, that their materials have enjoyed a tip-top reputation extending over very many years. C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd,, 30-32, Cheapside, London, E.C.2. WE venture to state that there will be few of our readers who are not cog nisant of the world-wide fame achieved by Messrs. C. C. Wakefield with their " Castrol " lubricating oils—which, by the way, are one of the " exhibits " at the Prague Aero Show. There are, however, we think, not so many who know what the qualities and character istics of Castrol are—or, in other words, the secret of its success. Years ago pure castor oil was employed in high- powered internal combustion engines— especially in France—with a certain amount of success as compared with ordinary mineral oils. It possessed, however, certain disadvantages, such as gumminess, acidity, and a tendency to deposit a glue-like substance which rendered it objectionable as a general lubricant. It showed, however, a de cided superiority over all other oils, one being that it alone was capable of withstanding very high pressures. It has a far greater resisting power than any other fatty oils or the most viscous mineral oils, while it furthermore gives the thickest oil film, and therefore has the best cushioning effect when certain pressures are exerted—as, for instance, in the case of a big-end bearing. To retain in a lubricant the acknowledged virtures of castor oil without its defects was a problem C. C. Wakefield and Co. set out to solve, which, after much research work, they succeeded in doing by blending a castor oil of great purity with a special grade of mineral oil—a great achievement when it is pointed out that normally castor oil will not mix with a mineral oil. The production and use of " Castrol " has thus revo lutionised the art of lubrication as applied to internal combustion engine.->. The elimination of the disadvantages of pure castor oil is shown in the consider ably greater speed and enduring power which the increased friction-reducing capacity of "Castrol" oils produces— advantages which are so strikingly illustrated by the fact that "Castrol " is employed almost generally by the motor racing fraternity, whether on car, aeroplane, motor-cycle or motor boat. Some of the Vickers patent petrol accessories and fittings. 346
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