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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0408.PDF
MAY 17, 1928 AERO INSTRUMENTS AND AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT WHEN recording the development and performance of air- craft, full recognition has not, perhaps, been given to the work of the scientific instrument maker and his share in this development. During recent years- notable advancement has been made in the science of control and navigation of aircraft, but no matter how perfect the machines and engines may have been—and in no way depreciating their per- formance—it may truly be said that many of the great flights accomplished in the past would have been imprac- ticable without the aid of absolutely reliable and accurate instruments. As pioneers in the design and manufacture of aeronautical instruments and accessories, the firm of S. Smith and Sons, of Cricklewood, have undoubtedly played an important part in the development of aviation, and, especially in regard to the extension of flying to the Antipodes, they hold a unique position. The historic flight from England to Australia successfully accomplished over eight years ago by the late Sir Ross Smith, K.B.E., and his brother Keith, was carried out on a Vickers " Vimy " biplane fitted with two Rolls-Royce engines, and this machine was fully equipped with " Smiths " instru- ments—and " K.L.G. " plugs were, of course, fitted to the 1926, and no better proof of the reliability of " Smith's " instruments is necessary when we learn that the same de Havilland 50-J machine did the double trip of 44,000 miles to and from Cape Town and Australia with the same set of " Smith's " instruments. Considering the extraordinary strain imposed on the equipment, and the wide range of climatic conditions in which it had to operate, it is a matter of congratulation to all concerned with its manufacture to be assured by Sir Alan Cobham, upon his return, that the whole of the equipment had functioned perfectly, and there was not a criticism to offer. This was confirmed by a letter in which Sir Alan stated :—•" On the completion of our flight from England to Australia and back, I want to tell you that all your products that were fitted on the de Havilland 50-J seaplane operated perfectly without fault. Our instruments never gave us a moment's anxiety, and we never had the suggestion of a falter with our " K.L.G. " plugs ; and I believe that the Hughes' Aperiodic Compass is undoubtedly the finest in the world, and that despite the varying altitudes in going to the Antipodes, we had no trouble with the compass whatsoever. Coming to a more recent period, we have further evidence INSPECTING AND TESTING " SMITH'S" INSTRUMENTS : The reputation for reliability of " Smith's " Instruments is largely due to the thorough inspection and testing carried out at the Cricklewood Works. On the left is the " Cold Test" plant, which enables instruments to be tested down to —40° Centigrade. On the right is a section of the Inspection Department, showing some of the elaborate testing apparatus. engines, these plugs being one of the " outside" components handled by " Smiths." The next important flight towards Australia was the one to Rangoon and back undertaken in the winter of 1924 by then Mr. Alan Cobham, accompanied by Sir Sefton Brancker, K.B.E., Director of Civil Aviation, and we recall that we commented on this flight at the time in regard to " . . . the various instruments which helped the pilot to carry on and maintain law and order. These were, naturally, supplied by Messrs. S. Smith and Sons (M.A.), Ltd., of Cricklewood. These have, by now, come to be a standard fitting as a matter of course in nearly every big aviation event. ..." Then, in connection with the very important matter of sparking plugs, in this same flight, the following telegram tells its own story:—"Nearing finish 17,000 miles' flight survey through Iraq, India to Rangoon and back, throughout flight done with de Havilland type fifty aeroplane and Siddeley engine we have used same two sets K.L.G. plugs and during rain or heat plug trouble has been unknown to us. Certainly I can ask for no better plug. Alan Cobham." This flight, it will be remembered, was arranged in order to survey the route to India with a view to establishing a regular air service along the route. This service was, as we know, eventually inaugurated, and when the five triple- engined de Havilland machines were built for this purpose the " Smith's " equipment was specified by Imperial Airways, Ltd. A similar story may be told in regard to Sir Alan Cobham's 28,000 miles' flight to and from Australia, accomplished in of the worth of this firm's productions in the fact that they were used by " Bert" Hinkler, Capt. Lancaster, and Mrs. Keith Miller in their Avro " Avian-Cirrus " machines on their Australian flights, and are at present being employed by Wing-Comdr. Manning in his present Australian effort in a Westland " Widgeon." As regards " Smith " instruments themselves, we think they are too well known to need a description here (we have frequently done so previously in pages of FLIGHT), but we would mention that in the course of producing many thou- sands of instruments, Smiths have developed several " gadgets for the aero dashboard" that possess certain important and original features. Their altimeters, air-speed indicators, rev.-counters, all claim distinctive characteristics, while much experimenting has resulted in a successful gyro turn-indicator. It is the refinement of detail, the high standard of work- manship—the works at Cricklewood are one of the finest we have seen—and the careful and thorough research work (see the accompanying illustrations of two sections of Smith's Testing and Checking Department) devoted to the produc- tion of Smith's instruments that have resulted in the world- wide reputation they enjoy. In conclusion, therefore, we think it cannot be disputed that the scientific instrument maker is a very important factor in the continued development of aviation, and it is good to learn that a section of the excellent • organisation of this well-known firm of S. Smith and Sons is devoted to the requirements of the aircraft industry. 372
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