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Aviation History
1945
1945 - 2178.PDF
NOVEMBER IST, 1945 FLIGHT 483 t Science and Industry Centenary Celebrations of Imperial College of Science and Technology "WAST Thursday their Majesties attended a ceremony at I the Albert Hall in celebration of the centenary of the •*—' Imperial College of Science and Technology, and by so doing called attention to an event of national impor- tance. " South Ken." in many spheres has come to mean instruction in the application of science to industry, and it will come as something of a surprise to many that a cen- tury has elapsed since the beginnings of the Imperial Col- lege in the form of the Royal College of Chemistry, founded in October, 1845, under the very active support of the Prince Consort. Other institutions followed, and in 1907 these were brought together by Royal Charter into the Imperial College. To readers of Flight the Aeronautics Department is of most direct interest. This provides a one-year course in aeronautical science and engineering for students who have already graduated in engineering, physics or mathematics, and offers facilities for work in aeronautical subjects. The post-graduate course.includes instruction in aerodynamics, theory of aircraft structures, aircraft design, aircraft in- struments, and piston, turbine and jet-propulsion engines. Lectures are supplemented by laboratory and drawing office work. The Diploma of the Imperial College (D.I.C.) is awarded to students who are successful in reaching the standards set for the course. This i^ear 35 students are taking the post-graduate course in aeronautics. The library of the department contains aeronautical literature from all parts of the world, and the laboratory facilities include wind tunnels, a smoke tunnel and a tank. In connection with the centenary celebrations the labora- tory of the Department of Aeronautics in the City and Guilds College was thrown open to visitors on Friday and Saturday of last week and demonstrations were given of the work done in the various tunnels. In the 5ft. by 4ft. wind tunnel there were demonstra- tions of how the airflow over an aerofoil changes when the wing stalls, of the research equipment used for work on compressible fluids and on wing flutter, and, in the same room, of equipment used for demonstrating to students of the post-graduate course the basic principles of aircraft structures. The 2ft. tunnel was used for showing the effect of wing flaps and how they increase lift for landing. Airflow around typical bodies was demonstrated in the smoke tunnel, and on view was other apparatus used for explain- ing basic principles of aerodynamics to students. In the water tank was shown vortex motion at the tip of an air- craft wing. Working models were included in the exhibition of air- craft instruments, including gyroscopic and navigational instruments and instruments for measuring air speed and altitude. Scale models of complete aircraft types were also shown, and on the walls were photographs of large wind tunnels indicating the extensive and expensive plant needed for the development of modern aircraft. The library of the Aeronautics Department contained photographs of air- craft and aircraft engines, and pictures taken during research work on high-speed flight. GOLD MEDAL FOR PROFESSOR BAIRSTOW AT its last meeting the council of the Royal AeronauticalSociety unanimously decided to award the Society's Gold Medal, and Honorary Fellowship, to Professor Leonard Bairstowon his retirement from the post of Zaharoff Professor at the University of London in recognition of his long service to aero-nautics. Professor Bairstow is the first man to receive both these awards. The name Leonard Bairstow is, perhaps, less familiar inBritish aviation now than it was some years ago. As Zaharoff Professor of Aviation in the University of London and Directorof the School of Aeronautics at Imperial College, Professor Bairstow had few direct contacts with the wider circles in theindustry, but his work has been of great educational value. In the earlier days, through the National Advisory Committee" Aeronautics (before it became the Aeronautical Research Committee) Professor Bairstow was a familiar figure, and at the Royal Aeronautical Society's lectures he frequently tookpart in discussions. His association with the Imperial College of Science and Technology, which celebrated its centenary lastweek, was a long one, his technical education beginning there as long ago as 1898 and terminating as Director of the Schoolof Aeronautics. British aviation will applaud the Royal Aeronautical Society'saward and wish Professor Bairstow happiness and contentment in his well-earned retirement. TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC REGISTER FOR the special benefit of demobilised men and returnedprisoners of war who are scientists, professional engineers, architects or surveyors, the Ministry of Labour and NationalService have asked us to invite attention to the service pro- vided by their Appointments Department's Technical and Scien-tific Register at York House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2. (Telephone: Temple Bar 8020.) A technical staff, competent to give advice and assistance,has been augmented to meet problems of settlement and re- construction. A large variety of vacancies, both at home andoverseas, is now available for fully qualified scientists, en- gineers, etc. Enquirers are particularly asked to write or'phone for appointments, stating occupation, qualifications, and the purpose of the proposed visit so that they will notbe kept waiting when they call. LOWER ACCIDENT RATE DURING the past 12 months the accident rate for R.A.F.Transport Command has decreased. This fact was empha- sised by Mr. John Strachey, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Air, in a written answer which he gave Mr. Gamman (Con., Hornsey) last week. Since July ist the total passenger mileage for the Command has nearly doubled, Mr. Strachey said, and has now reached the figure of 190,000,000 passenger miles a month. On the extensive schedules and services there were four fatal accidents involving the death of 18 crew and 18 passengers, and these figures represent a passenger fatality rate of 1 in approximately 13,000,000 passenger miles. Total number of accidents in- volving injury or death between July ist and October 15th was The 36-cylinder, 5,000 hjrmulti bank radial by Lycomingaf or the U.SrffiLA.F. It i^aid to wfiq only right," added Mr. Strachey, "to look at these casualties^ -^gainst a vastly increased commitment, and in facfe the a«3|idenr>>rate has fallen over the past year."
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