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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 0196.PDF
SUPPLEMENT TO FLIGHT 12 THE AIRCRAFT ENGINEER FEBRUARY 27, same freedom can be obtained in the girder type of body as demonstrated on the Guillemin J.G.40. In this case the longerons and struts were of square section tube, built up into N type girders. Stiff gusset plates at the transverse corners gave all the stiffness necessary, and probably considerable damage could be inflicted on the side bracing members without causing the collapse of the fuselage by virtue of the stiffness of the bulkhead panels. This feature of fuselage construction is not unknown in this country. It is often stated that information regarding latest develop- ments either structurally or in any other direction are not obtainable at these exhibitions for the reason, it is alleged, that exhibitors are loath to give any ideas or secrets away. This is not borne out by experience. A constructor has more to gain by demonstrating that he is well to the forefront in progress and improvement than by keeping information back from possible clients. The patent laws are intended to give security, and should aid the real inventor in obtaining his due ; again, one improvement follows another, and that which is prized this year as being ahead of contemporary effort may well be in the background or obsolete when the next show comes due. On the whole, therefore, it pays to exhibit any- thing which may indicate progress. The great danger, however, lies in over-optimism or exaggerated claims. In the belief that this is the general view of most workers in the aircraft industry, we welcome these Aeronautical Exhibitions as being important factors in Aircraft Development. TECHNICAL FEATURES OF THE AIR MAIL. By FRANK RADCXIITE, B.SC, A.M.I.A.E., A.R.Ae.S. (Continued from page 94, December 26, 1930) VI.—Progress in Air Mails. A fully detailed survey of the progress of air mail services during 1930 cannot be given until the yearly statistics are available. It will be possible, however, to discuss briefly the progressive tendencies of 1930 and indicate possible mean of development in the near future. The writer feels certain that air mail services will rank as outstanding factors in the development of industry during the next two decades, but the immediate success of such high speed services will only be attainable after intensive research and carefully planned development work has been pursued As the Postmaster-General has pointed out, on several occa- sions, the Post Office puts reliability before speed and. un fortunately, even the most enthusiastically air-minded people must agree that air services at the present time are hv no means 100 per cent, efficient from the point of view of relia- bility. With existing forms of mail conveyance it is possible to address a letter to any part of the earth and feel certain that the chances of that letter not reaching its destination are very remote indeed. It may also be added that for the recognised regular routes there will be a regularity in the mail service which can be relied on. It seems reasonable to assume, however, that if by air mail services a high degree of relia- bility and regularity of service could be guaranteed, the ordinary business man would welcome its introduction among the ordinary channels of communication and if, at first, the acceleration it afforded was only small this would not debar its introduction. It will generally be conceded that the aeroplane, as we see it to-day, has been very largely influenced by military require- ments. Speed and efficiency in design are two of the out- standing requirements and it has been put forward by many that the single-seater fighter of to-day with a top speed in the neigh burhood of 200 m.p.h. is the ideal type for conversion into the mailplane of to-morrow. This does not appear to be the correct way of looking at the problem, for whereasspeed and aerodynamic efficiency in a single-seater fighter are of paramount importance and the life of the aircraft corres- pondingly of less, the reverse obtains in the case of commercial aircraft. Safety, immunity from forced landings and 100 ptr cent, efficiency of service must be the primary consideration. and the same forethought that has been necessary to make mail boats and mail trains dependable will be required for air mail services. Such considerations as the above rule out the spectacular and thrilling aspect of flying for commercial work and in its place must be introduced that dignity and dependability that aviation needs above all else to-day. It would appear that the sooner we can make flying common- place and the more we can do to equip the modern aeroplane with dependable power units the more rapid will be its application. Actual Progress Made. Present indications, from all over the world, appear to show that air mail services are being regarded seriously and as a necessary part of the equipment of the nations for carrying on important personal and commercial business. To all whose welfare is wrapped up in the success, or other- wise, of the aircraft industry, this comes as a most welcome omen, and in order to show how one can take these indica- tions as being trustworthy, actual available figures will be «**cow££JL .awn •,--"" V-• PACIPIC OCEAN f . - - ' w AMERICA VALPARAUC / ATLANT'C ^^^^ OCEAN jf Aie»«i»u»^ *™ If ¥ SOUTH JWAT. AMERICA ICHUif" JD*KM AFRJCA J \ \ f CUZABCTMVI Imt C Sec Omtcttons RUSSIA ASIA Jo - JURAM \ \ \ INDIAN OCEAN J> MOVGOL1AH CHINA J * y*^ PACIFIC' OCEAN INDIES
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