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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 1138.PDF
FLIGHT, NOVEMBER 10, 1932 " The Air Annual of the British Empire, 1933-33." Edited by Sqd. Ldr. C. G. Burge. (Gale 6^ Polden.) Obtainable from FLIGHT Office. Price 21s. 9d., post free. CQD. LDR. C. G. BURGE has once again produced an *^ admirable summing up of the work of British aviation during the current year. Published by Messrs. Gale & Polden, the volume is well set out, and the illustrations (most of which are reproduced from FLIGHT) are beauti fully clear. Concisely divided into sections dealing with every de parture of aviation, the volume serves the dual purpose of an excellent book of reference and a history of aviation during the year 1932. It does, however, seem a little strange that, out of just over 700 pages, only 20 are de voted to a review of the Royal Air Force ; a great deal of useful work, not necessarily of a belligerent nature, is done by the Service, more especially abroad, about which the public know little, and what better place could Jje found in which to exploit the usefulness of a fighting force in times of peace? It is interesting to note that 70 per cent, of the illus trations are of machines designed for Service use, which but proves, what is emphasised elsewhere in the book, that the growth of civilian aircraft is, in comparison, slow, though it may be sure. The surprising improvements, both in reliability and performance, that have been made in the design and con struction of aero engines are emphasised in the section dealing with that subject. The latest improvements in photographic equipment, wheels, brakes, floats, under carriages, hangar construction and electrical components are also explained at length. To those who are inclined to believe that the national conservatism of the British race retards advancement we strongly recommend this work. " Historie de L'Aeronautique." By Charles Dollfus and Henri Bouche. (Published by L'Illustration, Paris.) TTHE history of aeronautics is a subject that has been * tackled by several authors, and in many cases their efforts have achieved an individual success, in so far as some particular phase of the subject is concerned. Few, if any, however, have, in the writer's opinion, been a success when considered as a complete history of aero nautics in all its aspects—an achievement that we admit would be difficult, if not impossible, to attain. For it must be remembered that material, accurate and reliable, to produce such results is most difficult to collect, and then when and if it is collected preparing it in a present able form for our history is again a formidable piece of work. Bearing this in mind, we have found it a pleasant task indeed to peruse the 572 pages (11 in. x 15 in.) of L'Historie de L'Aeronautique, by Charles Dollfus and Henri Bouche. In the first place, we have only to say that it has been published by the famous House of LTllustration, of Paris, to convey at once that the pro duction—printing and binding—is perfect and a treat for the eyes. Secondly, the " material " collected is the most com prehensive record of the more important happenings, past and present, in all the phases of aeronautics that we have so far seen. Thirdly, this has been presented in a form that unfurls the development and progress of man's effort to conquer the air from earliest known records to the present day, concisely and step by step. It therefore not only pro vides most fascinating reading, but we also have an ex ceptionally complete record of immense value for reference purposes. The first chapter of this book, of course, deals with the early legendary attempts at flight, Leonardo da Vinci's design, the early balloons, etc., up to 1800, which chapter includes many reproductions, some in colour, of old prints and engravings, and some detailed drawings of Meusnier's dirigible. Then we come to the first practical efforts in aerial navigation from 1800 to 1900, one item of special interest in which chapter is a reproduction of a page from L'Illustration of April 8, 1843, snowing details of Henson's Aerial Steam Carriage. Included amongst others in this chapter also are, of course, the efforts of such pioneers as Penaud, Tatin, Tissander, Renard, Ader, Lilienthal, Ha<- grave, Langley. Chanute, Zeppelin, and Santos Dumont. Chapter III, covering the period 1900-14, deals with the actual conquest of the air by man, and we are told of the further progress made by Santos Dumont, Zeppt- lin, etc., and of the first real practical successes of the heavier-than-air machines achieved by the Wright Bros.. Voisin, Ferber, Farman, and Bleriot. Thence we are taken stage by stage through the rapid progress, in design and events, up to the outbreak of the Great War. The next chapter tells of the work done by aircraft during the War, and is very interesting indeed. We feel, however, that here we have the one criticism to make, and that is, we are somewhat disappointed in not seeing a little more devoted (in illustrations) to the different types of machines used during this period. A complete collec tion of war-type aircraft of 1914-18 has yet to be com piled, and is, we think, a much-wanted addition to aero nautical literature. " Aeronautics of To-day " forms the subject of the last chapter, and this, like the previous ones, is exceptionally comprehensive—very few types of aircraft or flying events having been left out. All the Big Flights—Atlantic, Polar, etc.—are recorded, and some remarkable photographs are reproduced. Commercial aeronautics is fully dealt with, even to a coloured plate showing a selection of Air Mail postage stamps in facsimile—so real that one can almost '' pick them off '' the page! Finally, there is a really useful index—a feature noi always to be found in works of this kind ! $ m m as Ground Engineers' Examinations EXAMINATION Boards will sit for the purpose of examining applicants for ground engineers' licences at LONDON on November 16, 23 and 30 ; December 7, 14, 21, 28; January 4, 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. At CROYDON on November 11, December 9, January 13, February 10 and March 10. At MANCHESTER on February 3 and Bristol on January 6. Applications for the requisite forms should be made to the Secretary of the Air Ministry (C.A.2), Adastral House, Kingsway, W.C.2. W. W M <S PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED Lloyd's Register of Shipping. Report of the Society's Operations during the Year 1931-1932. Lloyd's Register of Shipping, 71, Fcnchurch Street, E.C.3. Aeronautical Research Committee Reports and Memoranda: No. 1466. Velocity Distribution in the Neighbourhood of a Corrugated Sheet. By R. Houghton. April, 1932. Price 6d. net. No. 1472. Measurement of Position Error on High Speed Aircraft. Bv R. K. Cushing. April, 1932. l*rice 6d. net. No. 1487. Effect of Float Setting on Take-Off and Top Speed of the III F. By J. L. Hutchinson. December, 1930. Price 3d. net. London : H.M. Stationery Office, W.C.2. British Patents and Designs Statutes as Amended and Consolidated to 1932. With Introduction and Index by H. J. W. Bliss. B.A. (Oxon.). London : Stevens & Sons, Ltd. Price 4s. (yd. net. Madness Opens the Door. By C. F. Caunter. London : Thornton Butter- worth, Ltd. Price 75. 6d. net. High Speed and Other Flights. By Fit. Lt. H. M. Schofield. London : John Hamilton, Ltd. Price 15s. net. Fighting Planes and Aces. By F.'O. W. E. Johns. London: John Hamilton, Ltd. Price 5s. net. m m m m NEW COMPANY REGISTERED BIRKETT AIR SERVICES, LTD.. 4. Bloomsbury Place, W.C.I. Capital: £2,000 in £1 shares. Manufacturers of and dealers in aeroplanes and all forms of aircraft, etc. Directors : G. Birkett, Pine Ridge, Old Hall Drive. Hatch End, Middlesex, aviator ; H. C. Conlin, 34, Russell Gardens, Golders Green, salesman. P. J. Conlin, 34, Russell Gardens, Golders Green, salesman. K w m m AERONAUTICAL PATENT SPECIFICATIONS Abbreviations : Cyl. *= cylinder; i.e. — internal combustion; m = motors. (The numbers in brackets are those under which the Specification will be printed and abridged, etc.) APPLIED FOR IN 1931 Published November 17, 1932 20,861. F. MELCHER. Counter-running double or multiple propeller (382,297.) 20,980. T. G. NYBORG. Aeroplane wings. (382,302.) 22,717. GES. FUR ELEKTRISCHE APPARATE. Gyroscopic pendulums foi finding gravitational direction or horizon. (382,343.) 25,382. J. DE LA CIERVA. Aircraft having rotative sustaining mean (382,371.) 28,120. ECLIPSE AVIATION CORPORATION. Engine-starting apparatu (382,405.) APPLIED FOR IN 1932 Published November 3, 1932 11,180. CIERVA AUTOGIRO Co., LTD. Aircraft having rotative sustainn... means. (381,869.)
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