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Aviation History
1939
1939 - 0268.PDF
IOO FLIGHT. FEBRUARY 2, 1939 The frontage of new factory at South ampton Airport. SOUTHAMPTON SEND-OFF Ceremonial Inauguration of Cunliffe-Owen Works FOLLOWING soon after successful initial test flights of the Cunliffe-Owen '' Flying Wing '' transport, the constructors' big new factory at Southampton Airport was formally opened on Wednesday of last week by the Mayor of Southampton. . After the opening ceremony—which, owing to heavy rain, became an indoor affair rather than one on the threshold— visitors were shown round the main factory. Two main impressions of the workshops gained were, first, their vast size (the total area is 110,000 sq. ft.), and, secondly, the extreme care given to natural and artificial lighting. It is understood that a considerable quantity of sub-contract work will be done in the new factory in addition to further production of the firm's own aircraft designs. The offices, which had not yet received their final coat of paint, were remarkably large and the future occupants should work under almost ideal conditions. In the office of the managing director (Mr. R. M. Hoyes) were drawings of projected designs for Cunliffe-Owen aircraft and a series of models which por trayed two-, three- and four-engined civil types, together with one model of a twin-engined military aircraft which appeared to have a shell gun mounted in a rotating turret fitted in a single tail boom aft of the wing and a fixed sliell gun firing forward. Situated on the first floor are the drawing offices, in which, again, special attention has again been given to lighting. These offices, at the moment only partly filled, will allow a very large staff to be installed. Artificial lighting is by large angle lamps placed in the ceiling on the left-hand. side and slightly forward of the board. To cater for the staff and workmen a very large kitchen and canteen has been provided. The layout of the kitchen is exceptional. A noteworthy inclusion in the kitchen equip ment is a large refrigerating room, an item which is possibly unique in aircraft factory canteens. In No. 2a hangar at the airport was the "Flying Wing" monoplane. The cabin equipment had not yet been installed but the aircraft was open for structural inspection. It is understood that a few modifications are intended, one being the replacement of the aft metal fairing to the pilot's cockpit by a transparent enclosure. The machine was described in de tail in Flight of December 22, 1938. In the hangar, incidentally, centre sections for a well- known Service type were in production, the jigs having a raised flooring for working on the centre section in a vertical position. During a few moments of fine weather the transport was wheeled out into a space between the hangars for photo graphy, and the two Perseus engines were started for the benefit of the cinematographers. A lull in the proceedings was filled in with an impromptu display by a Kay gyroplane— another product of the growing industry at Southampton. Sir Hugo Cunliffe-Owen, in his speech at the opening cere mony, said that considering the short time in which the fac tory was erected, he felt that considerable praise was due to Sir Robert MacAlpine and Sons, who had worked so rapidly and in such close co-operation with his company. Sir Hugo felt that the "Flying Wing" had great promise. He hoped that the visitors to the shops would appreciate the work which had been commenced. The Mayor of Southampton, Councillor A. H. Powdrill, said that he was very pleased that he had persuaded Sir Cunliffe- Owen to build his works at Southampton Airport and he felt that the factory was a worthy addition to the very progressive City of Southampton. He, too, thought that Sir Robert Mac Alpine and Sons had created a very fine factory, and it was im portant to note that the building had been erected in only sixty-four working days, of which twenty-one were hampered by frost. It was anticipated that when the factory was in full pro duction there would be over 1,800 employees. After wishing the company success the Mayor cut a green and white ribbon tied between two pillars and declared the factory open. Mr. A. H. R. Fedden's Lecture A CHANGE has been made in the venue of the lecture on " Sleeve-valve Engines " to be given by Mr. A. H. R. Fedden on Tuesday, February 7, at the joint meeting of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institution of Automobile engineers. Such a large attendance of members of both societies and of visitors is expected that it has been decided to hold the lecture at the usual R.Ae.S. venue—the Hall of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, St. James's Park, London, S.W.i. The meeting will be held at the time already announced, i.e., 7.45 p.m. Empire Air Day Poster Competition A PRIZE of 25 guineas for the best design of a poster advertising Empire Air Day is offered by the Air League of the British Empire. Entries, which must be suitable for reproduction in four or five colours and various sizes, must be submitted in double- crown size and reach the offices of the League at Maxwell House, Arundel Street, London, W.C.2, by February 10. The poster must incorporate the following information: — (1) The date of Empire Air Day (Saturday, May 20, 1930,). (2) That Empire Air Day is organised by the Air League of the British Empire in conjunction with the Air Ministry. (3) That R.A.F. and civil aerodromes throughout the country will be open to the public from 2 p.m. until dusk. (4) That admission will be is. for adults and 3d. for children. (5) That flying displays will be given and visitors allowed to inspect aircraft on the ground, workshops, etc. Competitors should leave space on the poster for local aero dromes to overprint details of their individual arrangements. The competition is open to all, including R.A.F. personnel. Lady Longmore as A.D.C.C. Unit Secretary THE Air League of the British Empire announces the regis tration of No. 47 Air Defence Cadet Squadron at Grantham The Mayor, Councillor Stanley Foster, is president of the organising committee. The chairman is Capt. Philip Grinling M.C., and the hon. secretary is Lady Longmore, wife of Air Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore. Lady Longmore is the first woman organiser to join a local committee of the Air Defenc t Cadet Corps. A sum of £150 has been subscribed in one week by town- people and nearby residents towards the establishment of the Squadron.
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