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Aviation History
1950
1950 - 0583.PDF
PLIGHT, 23 March 1950 o • VY C EXFEftlMENT IN PAINT: With a view to improving the comfort of passengers in hot climates, the top surfaces of one of B.O.A.C's Argonauts have been experimentally painted white. The idea has already been adopted by several airlines in various parts of the world, and as described on this page, has also been incorporated in the Vickers Viscount. VISCOUNT GOES ABROAD - THOUGH Flight representatives have previously beenprivileged to fly in—and pilot—the Vickers Viscount, and have described their impressions (issues of December 30th,1948, August 25th, 1949), the experience is always such a pleasant one that we were glad to take advantage of a furtheropportunity when the aircraft made a series of short flights at Wisley airfield last Friday. Although the weather was by nomeans conducive to smooth flying, above the overcast the Viscount gave its passengers a comfortable, "quiet ride. Now resplendent in its B.E.A. colours and interior decora-tion, G-AHRF has the upper third of the fuselage exterior painted white, which will have the effect of reducing cabintemperature very considerably in extremes of heat. In an informal talk to passengers after the flights, Mr. G. K.Edwards, chief designer, enumerated some of the finer points of turboprop economics and traced the Viscount's development.He mentioned, also, further development of an interesting item of the Viscount's equipment—the use of " automatic braking "that has nothing to do with wheels and only a remote connec- tion with airscrew-reversing. When the weight of the aircraftcomes on the undercarriage during landing, a micro-switch closes a circuit which allows the airscrew blades to revert toextra-fine pitch; the effect of the increased drag is said to shorten the run by 150 yards. On Monday, March 20th, Lord Douglas of Kirtleside (chair-man of B.E.A.) and a number of well-wishers gave the Vis- Count an auspicious send-off at Northolt for its flight to Amster-dam on the first leg of the European tour. Details of the route to be followed were given in Flight of March 9th. The Viscountis piloted on the tour by Captain W. Wakelin, of B.E.A., who is the second pilot in the world to have his licence endorsedfor turboprop-powered aircraft. Vickers' chief test-pilot, Mr. "Mutt" Summers, is flying as second pilot. Among thepassengers are Sir Hew Kilner (deputy chairman and managing director (aviation), Vickers-Armstrongs, Ltd.) and LadyKiluer, Mr. G. R. Edwards, chief designer, Mr. Robert Handasyde, sales manager, and Mr. Peter Masefield, chiefexecutive of B.E.A. SCOTTISH MARINE BASES 'T'HE Greenock Harbour Trust is reported to be seeking re- -L nevval of the licence for its marine base in the Firth of Clyde. As reported in Flight of March 2nd, the Leith Dock Committee, whose site for the proposed flying-boat base is now ready for inspection, has also sent an application to the M.C.A. These steps are believed to arise from a provisional grant of a licence to Aquila Airways, Ltd., to operate flying-boat services from Falmouth to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast, Southampton and the Scilly Isles under an associate agreement with B.E.A. It is stated that although the licence mentions Glasgow, the idea is that flying-boats will use a landing area opposite Prince's Pier at Greenock. THE BRACKLEY TROPHY AT a cocktail party held at Londonderry House on March15th and attended by a distinguished gathering of pioneers of British aviation, a trophy of unique design was presentedto the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators for annual award. Known as the Brackley Memorial Trophy, and donated byMrs. H. G. Brackley, it commemorates the late A.Cdre. H. G. Brackley, C.B.E., D.S.C., D.S.O., who was one of Britain'sleading authorities on flying-boat operation. Appropriately, it is to be awarded annually to a British subject, within theEmpire, " for the most outstanding achievement concerning improvement in the operation of flying-boats." This contri-bution may be either theoretical or practical, and must be related to the organization, flying or navigation oi flying boatsor services, but not to their design or construction. The first recipient selected by the Court of G.A.P.A.N. isMr. John Lankester Parker, O.B.E., F.R.Ae.S., chief test pilot of Short Brothers from 1916-1945, and now a directorof Short Brothers and Harland, Ltd. The award marks the recognition of his test flying and development, over manyyears, of seaplanes and flying-boats, which include the Empire MARINE MEMORIAL : The exquisitely worked Brackley Trophy referred to on this pagji took nine months to com- plete. It was the work of ojfe of England's leading silver- smiths, Mr. H. J. Brown of tforwich. To ensure accuracy in sculpture, Mr. Brown en Pitted the aid of bird-watchers in the area near the late A/C^-e. Brackley's home in Norfolk.
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