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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 0431.PDF
FEBRUARY 8, 1940 141 THE INDUSTRY Thermo-plastic Products, Ltd.T HE use of plastics for such purposes as fillets between mainplanes and fuse- lage ; wing tips, • spinners, ventilation scoops and a host of other non-stressed and lightly stressed parts has been studied very thoroughly by Thermo- Plastic Products, Ltd. This concern has specialised in, and developed the necessary technique for, using black acetate sheeting to A.M. specification D.T.D 3:5 in lieu of metal. Since most of these jobs are worked in wooden moulds there is a distinct saving in cost apart from the conservation of metal supplies. The customary good finish associated with the use of plastics is, of course, maintained ; in fact it is claimed that the superb finish on the spinners is so smooth that ice will not adhere and no further de-icing device is necessary. Enquiries should be addressed to Thermo-Plastics, Ltd., 76-78, Golden Lane, London, E.C.i. ' ; Volspray VOLSPRAY, Ltd., have purchased theassets of Messrs. Kurt Erlach, Ltd., and will manufacture paint-spraying equipment of all types and particularly the "Volspray" Air Volume type. The machines will be manufactured in the new works at 24, Tidal Basin Road, London, E.16, and prompt delivery can be given of all the standard types of air volume paint spraying machines, includ- ing the improved " Plastaspray" and their latest device the sand-spraying machine. The original staff of Messrs. Kurt Erlach, Ltd., have also been taken over to ensure continuity in the high quality of manufacture and reliability of service. Impervex-Glass A VALUABLE addition to the grow-ing range of non-perishing materials is Impervex-Glass, which is nothing more or less than a woven material made of 100 per cent, glass. It is not, as one would expect, hard and brittle to the touch, but rather like very high quality artificial silk. The appli- cations of this material are a thousand- fold. It is waterproof, decorative, it has no structure to become de-naturisedr and is immensely strong. At the moment Impervia are concentrating on the use of its non-perishing qualities by using it The Fesa electric welding apparatus which can be operated from an ordinary lighting circuit. as a ply between layers of synthetic rubber for such purposes as petrol pump diaphragms, balloon fabric, or any other purpose where impermeability, strength and flexibility are essential qualities. As a strengthening agent in rubber hose the application is obvious because the rot- ting of canvas lining has always been a serious drawback. Cloth, tape, cord, braid or any other form of woven material'can be made. Particulars are to be had from Impervia, Ltd., 3, Grosvenor Gardens, S.W.i. SB&CING WASHERS DIAPHRAGM LIMITINGGRIDS ' Mallock Armstrong ear drum defender. Aluminium Welding ^T HE welding of aluminium and its alloys has presented many difficul- ties since the early days of aluminium fuel tanks—one can remember a light aeroplane competition at Lympne when untold quantities of soap and partially masticated chewing gum were used in a series of vain attempts to stop leaks. Nowadays the process is more certain, especially spot welding, but this has the drawback of requiring expensive appara- tus and special electrical installation. The Fesa apparatus, of which particu- lars have been received, is of low initial cost and can be used from an ordinary lighting circuit. Briefly, the apparatus consists of two controlled semi-circular carbon electrodes (using 40 to 400 amps, at a pressure of about 8 volts), 'which are drawn down the seam it is desired to weld. The welding metal is supplied either by a lip turned up at the joint or by the customary wire of the same material. The Fesa is suitable for weld- i n g aluminium and its alloys A hank of pure glass strands from which Impervex- Glass is woven. from 34 to 16 s.w.g. up to a rate of. roughly, 2|in. per min., and is extremely economical in that the maximum cur- rent required amounts only to 2.1 kW. Finally, the apparatus is safe in semi- skilled hands, and protective blue glasses are unnecessary as no arc is formed. Petbow, Ltd., Station Estate, Balmoral Road, Watford, Herts, are the sole agents for the British Isles, and further en- quiries should be addressed to them. Ear Defenders FOR nearly a quarter of a centuryMallock-Armstrong Ear Defenders have been doing their invaluable work of protecting ear drums from pressure waves. They were first invented for use at the proving grounds for big guns and at once recognised as the ideal protection on the battlefield. From these begin- nings the use of them has gradually spread to all places and conditions where high intensity pressure waves are set up. Briefly, it is composed of a bakelite moulding which fits in the ear and carries at the outer end a goldbeaters skin dia- phragm the vibrations of which are limited by pieces of very fine bronze gauze placed in close proximity on either side of it. For any ordinary sound, high or low pitch, it merely acts as a relay and passes on, without any diminution, the vibra- tions to the human ear drum. If, how- ever, the sound—or pressure waves— exceed a certain intensity, the diaphragm reaches the limit of its movement be- tween the bronze gauzes and only a sub- dued noise is transmitted. From this it will be clear that it is impossible to suffer from deafness caused by such sounds as gunfire or engiae noise because, since there has been no impact on the ear drums, normal hearing is restored imme- diately the excessive sound ceases. Seven different sizes are available; the largest or smallest being very rarely re- quired. They can be ordered through any chemist or direct from the Mallock- Armstrong Ear Defender Co., 39, Vic- toria Street, Westminster, London. S.W.i. The price is 5s. per pair com- plete in case with cleaner. Bloctube Controls AS the output of aero engines in-creases so the need becomes more and more urgent for controls which will give instant response, smooth movement and at the same time have no backlash. It is to this end that Bloctube controls have been designed. The controls comprise throttle box, mixture locking box, countershaft levers, guides and connecting rods, at the ends of which are ball-ends and special ball
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