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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 0882.PDF
MAY 12TH, 1949 FLIGHT 575 AT THE B.I.F. Some Exhibits with Aeronautical Associations T HE greatest single trading concourse which assembles eachyear in this country is the British Industries Fair. Thisyear, as previously, the exhibition is divided into three sections—at Earls Court and Olympia in London, and at CastleBromwich, Birmingham. Perhaps naturally, in that the aeronautical field is compre-hensively accommodated by the annual S.B.A.C. show, aero- nautical interests of a specific kind form a very small proportionof B.I.F. exhibits. There are, of course, numerous items to be seen which have application in aviation, but only in sofar as they have similar application to other fields; machine tools offer an excellent example. At Olympia, Short and Mason, Ltd., are showing a displayof varied instruments, their meteorological triumvirate con- sisting of wind-speed indicator, wind-direction indicator andspecial sensitive aneroid barometer. Dial-type indicators for registering oil, coolant and ambient air temperatures are ex-hibited by the British Rototherm Co., Ltd. Cloud-and-collision radar warning equipment for aircraft is shown by E. K. Cole,Ltd., which company also display Ekco two-channel and four- channel V.H.F. ground and airborne communication equip-ment. The Plessey Co., Ltd., have on view models of their cartridge engine-starters, which are now used in many fieldsother than those of military, civil and commercial aircraft application. Up at Castle Bromwich, where the engineering section ofthe B.I.F. is accommodated, there are, somewhat naturally, rather more items of aeronautical interest to engage attention. Electro-Hydraulics, Ltd., are showing an interesting little unitfor which there should be an assured future ; it is an ultra-light- weight solenoid valve. Rated for one minute at 29V D.C., itwill operate on 4,000 lb/sq in hydraulic fluid, and the weight is only 0.17:1b. Another actuating device is the " Thrustor "exhibited by the British Thomson-Houston Co., Ltd.; this is an electro-hydraulic device designed to replace A.C. solenoidsfor many heavy-duty purposes. " Thrustors " are available in a range of from 40 lb thrust through a 2in stroke to 800 lbthrust through a I2in stroke; flame-proof types can also be supplied. The Saunders Valve Co., Ltd., are showing examples of theirwell-known range of diaphragm cocks and multi-way fuel cocks for aircraft use and the Hymatic Engineering Co. .Ltd.,although not featuring any aircraft compressors, are showing a range of their mobile and static compressor sets, the mobileunits employing petrol engines, whilst the static units are elec- trically powered. The Chloride Electrical Storage Co., Ltd., makers of Exidebatteries, have on view examples of their new 24V battery for civil aircraft. For a full weight of only 43I- Ib the batteryhas a capacity of 25 ampere-hours and is suitable for use in high-voltage D.C. electrical circuits in large aircraft, and alsoas a normal 24V unit in helicopters and light aircraft. Londex, Ltd., are exhibiting flare-path marker floats for seadromes, eachcomplete with green fluorescent lamp, battery and transformer unit, the 6v D.C. battery of 40 to 80 A/h capacity giving alight output of 400 to 600 lumens. v '''•WORK OF THE S.L.A.E. FOLLOWING the publication, in last week's issue, of a briefreview of the various organizations and associations con- cerned with air transport, the Society of Licensed Ground Engi- neers feels that it, too, has a just claim to inclusion. The S.L.A.E. was formed in 1943 as a technical society of licensed aircraft engineers and is devoted to the advancement of aeronautical engineering with particular reference to the promotion of aircraft maintenance engineering. It is also "devoted to the promotion of honourable practice in the pro- fession, to making available to manufacturers and operators of aircraft the experience of maintenance engineers, to improv- ing the technical knowledge of members engaged in the pro- fession, and to maintaining an employment bureau for the profession." The General Council of the Society has set up a series of panels and committees to provide various services for members and to advise, when so requested, the Ministry of Civil Avia- tion and Air Registration Board, or any other body, on all aspects of aircraft maintenance engineering. These sub- organizations include the S.L.A.E. Technical and Publications Panel (answering technical queries, compiling technical reports on aspects of aircraft maintenance engineering for the con- sideration of the industry, and providing material for publica- tion), the Educational and Students' Panel (assisting student SHARP PRACTICE: Oveiailed for the job are Mr. Selwyn Sharp (centre), Mr. Jack Hart (right) and Mr. Lew Keen, who found the building of Armstrong Siddeley's stand in the Grand Palais a dry job. B 27 and other members in their studies, and organizing theSociety's Manufacturers' Courses of Instruction scheme), and the Licensing Panel (handling the majority of negotiationswith the authorities). Branches have been established at fifteen centres inthe United Kingdom and at six centres abroad, the latter at Dublin, Singapore, Tripoli (Levant), Cairo, Salisbury(Southern Rhodesia), and Trinidad (British West Indies). Branches organize technical lectures and discussions, and visitsto places of aeronautical interest. The Society has established a main technical library at its head office and branch librariesat the majority of its overseas branches. The chairman is Mr. D. W. Richardson, M.B.E.,A.F.R.Ae.S., M.S.L.A.E., the vice-chairman is Mr. N. Luke, A.R.Ae.S., M.S.L.A.E., and the general secretary is Mr. PeterF. Murray. Headquarters are at Finsburv Circus House, Blomfield Street, London, EC.2. K. W. BEAR MR. K. W. BEAR, killed on the 27th April whilst practisingfor the international road race in Jersey, was best known behind the scenes in aviation as an underwriter member ofLloyd's and chairman of Lionel Sage and Co., Ltd., Lloyd's brokers, who handle aviation business in this country andabroad. A memorial service was held for him on May 10th at St. Andrew Undershaft, St. Mary Axe, London, at whichhis many friends and colleagues from both motor racing and aviation spheres were present. He leaves a widow and twodaughters. NEW A.D.A. PRESIDENT AT the recent annual general meetingof the Aluminium Development Association Mr. Kenneth Hall was electedas the new president of the council: Mr. Hall is managing director of the NorthernAluminium Co., Ltd., and a director of Aluminium Laboratories, Ltd., and inJanuary 1948, he succeeded the late Mr. P. W. Rolleston as the representative ofthe Aluminium, Ltd., group of companies on the council of A.D.A. Mr. Hall wasassociated with Aluminium, Ltd., of Canada, for over twenty years, and cameto this country in 1936 as manager of the Northern Aluminium Company's Birming-ham Works. In 1938 he became managing director of the newly formed Indian Alu-minium Co., Ltd., and in 1946 he returned to England to assnme his present position with Northern Aluminium. Mr. Kennsth Hall
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