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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 0504.PDF
I g8 FLIGHT MARCH 5TH, 1942 J UNDERGROUND FACTORIES Ensuring Night and Day Production Under Ait Conditions IT will come as a surprise to many people to learn that there are underground aircraft factories in this country. Some are in actual operation, but the largest one is now Hearing completion and, ere long, in the bowels of the earth, away -from interference by raiders, what was once a quarry will hum with the wheels of production. The factory will employ thousands of workers. on aircraft engines, just as other subterranean factories are engaged on airframe parts and important accessories. During a recent visit, at M.A.P. invitation, to one or two of these factories we were impressed by the practic ability as well as the careful planning and finish to floors, walls and ceilings, which are of light colour. The bright effect is assisted by the fluorescent lighting system adopted in works and offices. Naturally a special study of working conditions has been necessitated from the point of view of health, convenience and safety. From tests made, operatives and trade union officials have, we are told, expressed highly favourable opinions of underground working. In the largest of the factories, air-conditioning is arranged via huge ventilator shafts, upwards and downwards, which distribute the flow of air through ducts. The air is cleansed in permutors. The influx of workers requires special consideration, and already hostel sites are in being-with modern accommoda tion, some of the sites including small self-contained flats for 2,000 married workers. There are shower and ordinary baths and wash basins in the living quarters. Canteens and Lifts Very large canteens of up-to-date design with steam heat ing and G.E.C. electrical equipment provide for the inner man, some of them large enough to cater for 500 operatives at a time. Several sets of passenger lifts (apart from goods escalators) akin to those of an underground station are installed which can transfer the workers down or up in quick time, and the intention is to work night shifts as soon as the machine tools have been installed. In another smaller example, what was originally a chalk mine, has been converted into an admirable factory. Full Ministry co-operation was given to this project, and the work has been completed to schedule in a remarkably short time. The project was discussed in January, 1941, con tractors commenced work in May, and component parts were produced by September of the same year. The fac tory is now two-thirds completed. The floor area approximately 40,000 sq. feet, made up of various tunnels having a total length of over 1,000 feet. When the works are in full commission 600 operatives will be required. A day and night shift is worked. To Prevent Dazzle As in the first-mentioned factory, light throughout is by fluorescent tubes which give a pleasant illumination approaching daylight, and thus no dazzling effect is experi enced when leaving the tunnels and going into the open air. Again, the atmosphere is fully conditioned and fresh or recirculated air is metered down the main trunk ducts for distribution throughout the shops. All vital depart ments and offices are represented in the tunnels, and thus practically complete immunity can be claimed from damage by enemy action. An advanced type of Control Room has been adopted, revealing an up-to the-minute picture of the many thou sands of parts which are being produced daily ; it is over looked by the offices of the Progress and Planning engineers and the Managing Director. Full welfare facilities are available at this factory also, and it is anticipated that the labour force will be largely made up of women when the project is completed. R.A.F. Return, from Russia •\T17ITH the announcement of awards to officers of No. 151 * ' Wing, R.A.F., which has been serving in the U.S.S.R., is released the news that the Wing is no longer in Russia. By arrangement with the Soviet Government jt returned some time ago, having successfully completed its mission in North Russia. • The Wing, which was composed of two squadrons, was equipped with Hurricane fighters. It was under the command of Wing Cdr. H. N. G. Ramsbottom-Isherwood, A.F.C., and was sent to North Russia for two purposes—to assist the Russian Air Force to resist a German drive against Murmansk through North Norway and Finland, and to demonstrate Hurri cane fighters to Russian pilots and ground crews who had been chosen to be instructors to the units of the Russian Air Force which were to be equipped with this type of British aircraft. On the successful completion of these tasks the Russian Air Force took over the aircraft and equipment for their own units. These aircraft have since been supplemented by large deliveries Df Hurricanes which have been supplied by this country for the use of the Red Air Force. BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER II: Here are the general arrangement drawings of the Beaufighter II which differs from the Beaufighter I in that it has Merlin engines instead of Hercules. This exchange of radials for in-line engines has increased the overall length by less than one foot, other dimensions remaining- the same. Span 57' 10' Length 41' 8"
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