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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 0974.PDF
398 FLIGHT APRIL 15TH, 1943 Lockheed Production Wheels, Brakes and Hydraulic Control Systems : Engine~driven Pumps : Self'sealing Couplings AN American tinge in the title of the AutomotiveProducts Co., Ltd., suggests that a connection withk the United States originally existed. It is not, therefore, altogether surprising to find that the company began life as an organisation for importing American motor car components for distribution in this country and the Continent. The company was of inter-war inception, having been formed in 1920, and at that time, was in no sense concerned with manufacture. The first step which set it on the road to becoming a large-scale organisation for the production of automobile and aircraft equipment was the acquisition of the European rights of the American Lockheed hydraulic braking system. At first these units were also imported, but their growing popularity in the motor industry led to the decision to manufacture over here. As a result, production in a small factory, which is now the company's research department, was begun in 1928. Demand |or their products from the expanding motor car industry led to rapid growth of the manufac- turing side, and in 1931 the company moved to its present works which, in the last twelve years, have greatly in- creased in area. At present the group of companies comprises, in addi- tion to Automotive Products, the Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co., Ltd., the Borg and Beck Co., Ltd., and Avery Equipment, Ltd. Borg and Beck clutches have also been manufactured in this country since 1932. Each member company has its separate shops, production and sales organisation, but their activities are co-ordinated by group managements. Airdraulic Legs The entry of the Automotive group into the aircraft field was brought about by the adoption of hydraulic equipment for aircraft. This development led to the intro- duction of the Lockheed hydraulic system of controls, which achieved considerable success. Very shortly after- wards Lockheed Airdraulic undercarriage legs made their appearance, and it is with these that the company's name is probably most usually associated in the aircraft world. The acquisition of Avery Equipment, Ltd., manufacturers of the Avery wheels and brake unit, made it possible for Testing Avery self-sealing couplings under pressure. Beaufighter undercarriage legs ready for delivery. the group to undertake the manufacture of complete under- carriages. Lockheed undercarriages are being supplied for several current types of aircraft, including the Defiant, Beau- fighter and Airspeed Oxford, as well as for others still on the secret list. In addition, a considerable amount of overflow from other companies' works is also being handled. Production of these units is allocated to a group of two immediately adjoining shops devoted respectively to manufacture and assembly. Machine Shop Machining is classified as light or heavy, roughly one- half of the machine shop being given to parts of each class. Finished parts are sent to the stores, located at the machine-shop end of the assembly shop, between the two departments. From the stores the parts are issued as required directly on to roller runways which extend down the length of the assembly shop between the work-benches. Operatives are, in this way, supplied with all their require- ments with a minimum waste of effort and without the need for truck transport which frequently does so much to congest the average workshop. A friendly feature of the undercarriage shops is the light overhead conveyor which makes its sedate and even stately progress through both machine shop and assembly depart- ments, calling en route at the various stores and reappear- ing in a solemn, unhurried manner which is curious!v reassuring. By inserting a pin into one of a series of hoi's in the suspension bar of each platform, a bell is caused to ring at the appropriate station for unloading. Rumour has it that when it was first introduced the conveyor was used largely for the exchange of playfully unparliamentary messages between different sections of the shops. The selector-valve associated with the Lockheed hydraulic
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