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Aviation History
1925
1925 - 0818.PDF
DECEMBER 17, 1925 although as yet it is only a relatively small percentage of our constructors who have specialised on this form of construction, there is scarcely a British firm that has not experimented with metal construction in one form or another. We think it can justly be claimed that in the construction of aeroplanes in high-grade steels Great Britain has attained a pre-eminent position, and, as the Air Ministry has of late consented to relax somewhat the restrictions on the use of Duralumin, and several British constructors have produced machines mainly or even exclusively made of this material, it may be expected that in this branch also British designers will soon be able, if they do not already do so, to hold their own. For the Air Ministry concession in the matter of using Duralu- min, the firm of Short Brothers can, perhaps, claim the bulk of the credit, Mr. Oswald Short having for many years been convinced of the merits of this material, and having demonstrated that he was right by building machines, aeroplanes as well as flying- boat hulls, in which this metal was used with great success. This week the announcement is made that the Air Ministry has decided " in principle " to make the change to all-metal construction, and that after a period of approximately two years no new designs will be considered unless they incorporate all-metal construction. This does not, of course, mean that the sweeping change from composite construction to all-metal construction will be carried out in the twinkling of an eye, but that aircraft firms will, if they are to have any hopes of keeping going, during the next two years or so have to lay down plant for the production of metal machines and make the change-over gradually. At first sight it might be thought that the proposed change would mean rather a revolution in the aircraft industry. Actually the change has been foreseen by practically all the existing firms, and, as we have already said, there are very few firms who have not done a certain amount of work on these lines. At the same time, it is not to be expected that the change will be made without certain losses. One cannot make omelettes without breaking eggs, and in the case of the majority of the aircraft firms it is to be feared that very considerable expenditure will have to be incurred in purchasing special tools, etc. We think that in view of the vital importance to this country and to the Empire of being in a position, in case of war, to secure quantity production, the Air Ministry, or rather the Treasury, should undertake to bear a share of the burden which will thus be imposed on the aircraft industry, even if this take the form of a loan on reasonably favourable terms to firms for the purchase of new plant. In his paper M. Dewoitine stated the cost of special plant for the production of his Duralumin machines as 1| million francs, and Mr. J. D. North, who has probably had more experience than any other British designer of all-metal aircraft, stated during the discussion following the reading of the paper that he did not consider this figure too high. It will thus be seen that the sums involved may be very considerable, and in the national interest it would seem only fair that constructors, who are, after all at finality, but the servants of the Empire, should be financially assisted by the state in a matter which so vitally affects the future of the Empire. Concerning the ability of British constructors to make the change-over, and to produce all-metal machines second to none in the world, we have no fear. Many have already proved their ability, and the rest have only been prevented from doing so by the great cost involved, for which there was no justification so long as orders were not assured- A round of our aircraft factories reveals a great variety of forms of metal construction and, provided the Government is prepared to assist during the transition period, we are convinced that the next few years will see a number of different types produced, each with its own particular merits. That is all to the good, since it cannot be said that metal aircraft construction has yet reached other than an experimental stage, and that therefore standardisation at the present moment, or within the next few years, would be a mistaken policy. It can almost be said that every one of the twenty or so British aircraft firms has experimented with and developed to a more or less satisfactory stage, a special type of construction, and it is to be expected that, with the proposed change-over drawing near, progress during the next two years or so will be rapid. The firms who have specialised for several years past on all-metal construction will now, let us hope, reap the reward of their foresight. The others will very soon, we are sure, adapt themselves to the new conditions. Marquis de Pinedo Visits London. MARQUIS DE PINEDO, the Italian airman who recently accomplished a remarkable 34,000-mile flight irom Rome to Australia and Japan and back in a Savoia S.I6 ter flying boat (400 Lorraine-Dietrich), paid a visit to London on December 12. He was received at Victoria Station by the First Secretary of the Italian Embassy, representing the Ambassador, by Gen. Guidoni, the Italian Air Attache, and by a representative of the Air Ministry. The Marquis expressed the opinion that there was a great future in the world of commerce for the seaplane, which he considered more suitable •and more economical than the aeroplane for long distance flights. He further stated that it was probable that several conmerei il air lines will be inaugurated in the East by Italy. A German Seaplane Competition GERMANY is to have an important seaplane competition next year. It will be of a national character, the pilots, entrants and machines being German, but foreign motors will, it is stated, be permitted if application is made for such permission. The competition will have for its object the production of a seaworthy, efficient and reliable postal machine, and as is usual with German competitions, compli- cated formula; will be employed for judging the merits of the various competitors. The competition is timed to commence some time in July, and will be held at Warnemunde on the Baltic. Prizes to the total value of 250,000 mark (£12,500) are available, and the competition will be divided into three sections, flights along the coast to various towns : technical performance trials, and seaworthiness tests. Paris-London Revised Fares IMPERIAL AIRWAYS, LTD. inform us that, owing to therapid depreciation of the Franch Franc, they are reluctantly compelled to increase the fares from Paris to London, as fromDecember 1, to 600 frs. single and 1,100 frs. return. A Channel Islands Air Service Again THE Air Ministry has given sanction to a scheme sub- mitted for an air service between London and the Channel Islands, to start next spring. Supermarine " Southampton- Napier " flying-boats will be employed on this new Channel service, which will be a daily one occupying two hours for the entire trip (with a stop at Southampton), as against ^bout 10 hours taken by train and steamship. 818
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