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Aviation History
1945
1945 - 0233.PDF
FEBRUARY IST, 1945 FLIGHT safety in flying, Leighton Collins, editor of Air Facts. Mr. Collins concludes after six years of accident analysis in the private flight field "... in nearly 70 per cent, of fatal accidents the aircraft spun out of a turn, hit the ground with the motor running normally." After four years of general use no case of an Ercoupe spinning has come to our attention, and what is even more important, there is no indication that there has been a single accident caused by lateral instability or lack of lateral control. There appears to have been no accident associated with a turn in flight. In the following sections a summary of our experiences, as obtained through users, distributors, the C.A.A. records, and our own flying with the aircraft, will be given for each of the main elements of flight, and for other conditions such as ground handling and comfort. The following sections dwell almost entirely upon such criticisms and difficulties as have come our way, although fortunately this is but a small part of the complete story. Taxying.—Under ordinary field and weather conditions, taxying and ground manoeuvring can usually be accom- . plished almost without instruction beyond pointing out the throttle and brake handles and explaining their action. Both are operated by hand and are located in the lower central portion of the instrument panel. The novice often moves the throttle the wrong way at i first, but this does not ordinarily lead to difficulty, and he soon becomes accustomed to it. The brake can be locked for parking by revolving the handle a quarter turn. If, when taxying in an extremely high wind the aircraft should have a tendency to weathercock into the wind, slid- ing the nose-wheel somewhat against the pilot's control, improved traction and steering control can be obtained by keeping the control wheel forward, applying the brakes a small amount, and turning the handle to lock them if desired, and using greater engine power for taxying. With its stable tricycle landing gear and clear forward vision, the aircraft can be taxied at high speed if desired, a characteristic which often saves time and patience. (To be continued.) BRITAIN'S SECRET WEAPON security reasons it has hitherto been impossible to^ -T publish the essential facts of K.D.F., Radiolocation or Radar—the various terms applied to the new technique oflocating distant objects, particularly enemy aircraft, by wire- less methods. The fundamental principles of the apparatus,which, in the competent hands of the R.A.F., provided the essential tactical information that enabled our meagre fighterforce to be employed so decisively against the mass attacks of the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, are now publishedin the February issue of our associated journal Wireless World. The principles of Radar are given by Dr. R. L. Smith-Rose,head of the radio department of the National Physical Labora- • tory, which was responsible for the initial experiments in thelocation of distant objects by radio in this country. There is no doubt that the early establishment and use ofRadar contributed largely to both our defensive and oSensive operations at various stages of the war. The full story of itssuccess and the technical details of its development cannot yet be given, but it has recently been revealed that in 1941 anItalian fleet off Matapan was blasted from the sea by the guns of British cruisers and, destroyers aided by radiolocation inpitch darkness, and that last year the Scharnhorst was sunk at an incredible range by battleship gunfire with the help ofstill more advanced radiolocation gear. "YOUR PAPER GOES TO WAR" A IRCRAFT firms are well represented, among the concerns•£*. which have been visited by '' Your Paper Goes to War,'' the Waste Paper Recovery Association's mobile exhibition nowon tour in industrial areas. A very successful showing was held at Simmonds' Aeroces-sories on January 15th and 16th, and this was followed by a three-day visit to Sperry Gyroscopes. Employees of FaireyAviation, Ltd., will see the exhibition during this first week of February. Workers in the aircraft industry have often been astonishedto learn how extensively paper enters into the manufacture of components which they are constantly handling. Paper isused, for example, in more than 1,400 parts of the •Lancaster. A section of the exhibition is devoted to various types of woodand paper combinations used for fuselages, propellers and in- terior equipment, such as the Jablo blade and Exton core. The exhibition is intended to stimulate the collection of wastepaper in factories and drawing offices. That it is still possible to increase tonnage, by enthusiasm and careful salvage, isdemonstrated by the latest figures issued by the R.A.F. r Aspecial paper drive was launched in January, 1944, which resulted in 34,470 tons of waste paper being collected during1944, as against 21,468 in 1943. The Paper Controller has recently issued a warning to thepublic not to expect a miraculous increase in paper supplies when the war with Germany is over. The shortage is not.dusto shipping difficulties alone, and salvage will have to continue in this country even after the war. IN MOTOR ACCIDENTM EMBERS of the British aviation world who attended theR.Ae.S. debate on civil aviation last week were the first to hear of a motoring accident in which Sir Roy Feddenand Mr. G. H. Dowty were involved. Dr. Roxbee Cox had to take the chair at the~"debate, and explained that Sir Roy.president of the society, was prevented from doing so by the mishap. The accident occurred in the Oxford district, when an on-coming army vehicle skidded on the smooth surface and collided with Mr. Dowty's car. The road where the accidentoccurred is elevated above the surrounding country, and after the collision the car rolled down the embankment. -Sir RoyFedden was bruised, but, fortunately, sustained no serious injury, and he is back at work again. Mr. Edward Dowty,George Dowty's brother, suffered severe injuries from which, we regret to record, he died later. Mr. George Dowty escapedand was able to walk to the nearest town for help. The driver and another occupant got off with minor injuries. His manyfriends in British aviation will sympathise with Mr. George Dowty in the sad loss he has sustained by the death of hisbrother. AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIPS SEVEN new scholarships in the aircraft industry have justbeen awarded in the ninth year of the scheme financed by the Society of British Aircraft Constructors. The successful candidates were chosen from a nation-widelist of applicants. The scholarships are specifically intended to attract to the aircraft industry boys whose financial cir-cumstances would make it impossible for them to take up an aircraft apprenticeship (as distinct from a " trade apprentice-ship "). Each scholarship will, subject to satisfactory progressreports, ordinarily be held for four years. It enables a boy to learn his chosen work with one or other of the leadingBritish aircraft or aircraft engine constructors. Training in- cludes work in design and workshops, and suitable candidatesmay spend some time in the research and experimental divisions- In addition, each scholarship holder is expected to attendtechnical classes to enable qualification at the end of his apprenticeship for Associate Fellowship or Associate Member-ship of the Royal Aeronautical Society. The scholarships do not supersede any of the arrangementsfor training apprentices made by individual firms; they form an addition to, and extension of, existing facilities. Manyleading firms to-day have in operation schemes which lead on to universities.The names of the successful candidates are; Anthony P. Chalk, 10, Seaton Crescent, Monkseaton, Northumberland(Whitby and Monkseaton High School, 1939-44), to df Uaitit- land Aircraft Co., Ltd.; John B. Chaplin, 1. Hoibeck Avenue,Hemlington, Middlesbrough, Yoiks (Acklam Hall Secondary- School, 1939-44), to Mila Aircraft, Ltd.; Ronald J. Frost, 71,Edinburgh Road, Luton, Chatham, Kent (Medway Technical College, 1942-44), to Short Bros., Ltd.; Rodney G. Hinkley,30, Albion Road, Bexleyheath, Kent (Erith Technical College, 1940-44), to Fairey Aviation Co., Ltd.; Anthony W. Hodges,633, London Road, Isleworth, Middlesex (Isleworth County School, 1943-44), to Hawker Aircraft, Ltd., Kingston; AlbertW. Kitchenside, South Street, Mayfield, Sussex (Skinner's School, Tunbridge Wells, 1939-44), to Vichets-Armstrongs,Ltd., Weybridge; and Richard J. Margetts, High Street, Woodstock, Oxon (Chipping Norton County School, 1939-44),to Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd.
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