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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0917.PDF
FLIGHT, SEPTEMBER 9, 1932 LANDING LIGHT AND WIND INDICATOR COM BINED : One of the flares, held in the hand, provides illumination for a night landing. (FLIGHT Photo.) flares in the hand as torches, provided the operator stood to windward of the flare, but it struck us at the time that their efficacy for landing purposes might well be enhanced by the provision of some form of hood above the flare which would shield the incoming pilot from the vertical rays and consequent glare, although pilots report that the flares do not dazzle them. Quite briefly explained, the Driggs-Faber system of flare illumination consists of metal (aluminium) cylinders, con taining at one end a propelling charge and at the other the charge of chemicals which, upon being ignited, pro vides the illumination. Although for illumination pur poses the white light is that commonly used, these flares can also be obtained with chemical charges giving green or red lights, should these colours be required for special purposes. The lights are available in a variety of strengths and durations of burning, ranging from the small 50,000 candle-power light of 30 sec. duration to lights of more than half a million candle-power, and capable of burning for up to 3 min. The principle is the same in all sizes, and a variety of sizes can be fired from the same pistol. The use of these flares is by no means restricted to air craft, although that is obviously the application with which we are most concerned here, but includes coast guard and similar work, as well as probably numerous uses in the Navy and Army. Apart from the range of sizes of flares which can be fired from pistols, the standard range at present includes a battery of flares of great illuminating power, designed to be permanently mounted in the fuselage of aircraft, and electrically fired from a small dry battery. This particular type is chiefly intended for fairly large aircraft, although the weight is by no means prohibitive. The pistol-fired flares are designed to be carried inside the fuselage, in racks, and standing vertical. Loading the pistol is a one-hand operation, as the pistol is so designed that when its muzzle is pressed over the end of the cartridge, an internal catch in the pistol secures the cartridge, which is withdrawn from the rack by merely lifting the pistol. This impresses us as being a particu larly good feature, as the operation of grasping the pistol, pushing it over the end of the cartridge, withdrawing the cartridge from the rack and firing it only occupies some thing like 5 sec. The parachute type of flare is provided at one end with a paper parachute folded inside the container. Normally the intention is, of course, that the flare should be fired from the aircraft or from the ground in an upward direc tion. (The electrically-fired type is projected horizontally.) From the ground the flare is shot to a height of 150-200 ft., and if the flare is fired from an aircraft, that extra height will be available and, in all probability, the flare will have burned out by the time it reaches the ground. If, however, the pilot desires to use the flare to show the direction of the wind, and is content with having a smaller area of ground illuminated, he can fire the flare in a downward direction. The parachute is then consumed by the illuminant and the flare falls quickly to the ground, where it will lie burning for a considerable period, the smoke from it acting as a very good wind direction indicator. In addition to the firing of flares by pistols or electric ally, all types are so designed that the propelling charge cartridge can be unscrewed, and the container with the illuminant held by hand in a special holder, a striker of the sand paper type being provided, although the charge can be ignited by means of a match if desired. We are informed that these flares are by no means expensive, and if that is the case, they should find a very wide application. Not only will it be easy for every aircraft at all likely to do night flying to carry a supply on board, but some of the powerful flares, hand-held or pistol-fired, with or without the use of the parachute, 'ywould form a very cheap and useful equipment for smaller aerodromes where the expense of flood light equipment is not justified. For use in aircraft, one great advantage is that the fire risk is apparently quite eliminated by the fact that the flares are always, whatever type, projected a considerable distance away from the machine before it is ignited. This distance, by the way, can be varied by the time fuse pro vided. All flares are airtight, so that they will keep indefinitely without getting damp. This is a useful feature for landing grounds where the lights are infrequently used. As we have already mentioned, the British company has not yet been formed, but anyone wishing to communicate with those who are forming the company is asked to send their letters to the offices of FLIGHT, when they will be forwarded to the proper quarters. PISTOL-FIRED PARACHUTE FLARES : On the left, the larger, breech-loading, pistol, its ammunition, and the holder and striker for hand-held illumination. On the right, the aircraft pistol, which is of the muzzle-loading type, and various size flares which can be fired with it. One of the flares is seen in position in the barrel of the pistol. The flares are a 200,000 c.p., a 50,000 c.p., and a Very type signal. (FLIGHT Photos.) 853
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