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Aviation History
1941
1941 - 0136.PDF
44 JANUARY I6TH, 1941. provided She inter-stage coolers can be installed in the wing. More 'ikely to give trouble is the airtight cabin, especi- ally since guns will have to be .outside the cabin and operated by some form of remote control. The ques- tion of bullet holes in the cabin walls is dealt with, and simple methods suggested for patching them up. Here we would remind our readers, and Mr. Manning, that American research seemed to indicate that the effect on the crew of a hole in the cabin, in other words a reduc- tion in pressure, was not nearly so distressing as an increase in pressure at the same rate. Presumably, therefore, a puncture need not necessarily have serious consequences. Ultimate SpeedT HERE is one section in Mr. Manning's article which may, perhaps, puzzle some readers. He points out that greater speed is obtainable at ground level than at great altitudes, whereas most people are under the impression that greater speeds are possible in "thin" air. Both views are, of course, correct. The explanation is that if one is aiming at the greatest possible speed, the limit is set by the speed of sound, which in turn is governed by temperature and not by density. Actually, it seems possible that ground level will not be the best height for maximum speed, but some height, not very great, at which there exists the best compromise between temperature and density. However, that is by the way. On the other hand, if one is thinking in terms of any given aeroplane, and the power of the engine can be maintained by supercharging and the airscrew efficiency kept up, then greater speed is obtainable at altitude than at low levels. That, briefly, is the explanation of Mr. Manning's apparent paradox. A.D.C.C. to A.T:C.W HEN Air Commodore Chamier, as Secretary- General of the Air League of the British Empire, launched his Air Defence Cadet Corps scheme he could hardly have foreseen that it was destined one day to become one of the greatest things that have ever happened in connection with the Royal Air Force. That he foresaw a rapid growth of the A.D.C.C. one may take for granted, and in that he was not disappointed, for by the time the Air Ministry decided to take over the Corps it numbered probably 20,000 boys up and down the country. We feel that the Air League of the British Empire in general, and Air-Commodore Chamier in particular, deserve the thanks of the nation for having had the foresight and courage which have now borne such excellent fruit. For let it not be forgotten that the Air League itself has had little encouragement and assistance. Even in connection with the A.D.C.C.. scheme, the Air Ministry made a per capita grant of 3s. 6d. per boy, and but for the support given locally by municipalities and private citizens, the Air League might well have found itself in an embarrassing position. Now one feels that if the Air League of the British Empire had never done anything else than launch the Air Defence Cadet Scheme, it would have justified its existence. The effects of the new scheme, whereby the A.D.C.C. is taken over by the Air Ministry and converted into the Air Training Corps, are incalculable. That they will be very great goes without saying. That the Royal Air Force will benefit vastly is certain, for the enthusiasm and aptitude of the Cadets have been amply demon- strated, and there is no reason to expect a deterioration under the new title. On the contrary, it is likely that the higher status now conferred upon the Corps will act as a spur to fresh endeavours. A NIGHT FIGHTER BY DAY. Between them the two occupants of the Boulton Paul Defiant can survey the entire upperhemisphere and most of the lower
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