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Aviation History
1950
1950 - 0919.PDF
FLIGHT, n May 1950 IfOR CAREFREE TOURING . . 595 Antifyre " pistole " ex- tinguisher in carrying- bracket with spare charge. Two Schermuly pyrotechnic items: Parachute-flare ejec- tor for light air- craft and (above) the two - star - com- bined flare for dinghy use. weight for four people would vary between about 8 lb and 50 lb according to whether jackets or a dinghy were carried. All aircraft must contain a first-aid kit, and the essential items may either be collected together by the owner or bought as a kit from a chemist or a company specializing in the provision of this sort of equipment in containers suit- able for aircraft. Fire extinguishers exist in many forms, and so a pilot may make his choice from the selection. One v.-idely-used type in the form of a "pistole" and charge is manufac- tured by Antifyre, Ltd. It produces a fine extinguishing cloud, neither liquid nor gas, effective against petrol and electrical fires. The pistole is 14m long, and with charge weighs 3^ lb. The price with one spare charge and a mounting bracket, according to finish (enamel or chro- mium), is £3 7s 6d or £5 5s. Small hand extinguishers employing methyl bromide or a proprietary liquid as medium, are made by the majority of the firms mentioned under the heading '' Fire-extinguishing Equipment'' at the end of this article. Under the general heading of signalling devices and pyro- technics for aircraft two main classes of materials overlap in their applications. They may be of value as normal and emergency night-flying pyrotechnics, also for distress signalling in the event of a forced landing in uninhabited country. Pilots contemplating flights over mountains, jungle or desert would do well to consider carrying such equipment. For night flying a simple ijin Very pistol with appropriate cartridges should be carried (although great care must be exercised when discharging the pistol from a light aircraft which has no special tube or socket provided for the purpose. A smaller i-inch dinghy pistol is an alternative. The Schermuly Company (Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus, Ltd.) recommend three pyro- technics for aircraft engaged in night flying: the light- aircraft parachute flare; the two-star combined flare dis- tress signal; and the rocket parachute location signal. The first, examples of which have been seen on B.E.A.'s night mail helicopters, is for assistance in an emergency landing; the second and third, for assisting a search party or search- ing aircraft in locating survivors from a crash or forced landing. Very cartridges, and signal pyrotechnics in general, are also manufactured by the Y.S.C. Co., Ltd., , patentees of Holt flares. Reference has already been made to emergency radio transmitters, chemical sea-markers, and special electric torches, but there remains one extremely simple device, namely, the stainless-steel heliograph mirror. 'From ex- periment it has been found that on a bright day signals can be transmitted over a distance of nearly 10 miles. Special emergency packs can be prepared on request to cover possible requirements over land and water in any part of the world. Tinned liquids, concentrated food tablets, and several of the devices already described, are contained in standard emergency packs for light and heavy aircraft. A typical example for a two / three-seater aircraft for use in a dinghy after ditching, weighs 25 lb and con- tains first-aid kit, various signalling devices, rations, liquids, and a sea water de-salting unit. For those who may wish to convert, re-engine, or re- build aircraft, a number of special materials and fittings are produced to meet a variety of requirements. As an example, in the small-fitting category personal preferences are adequately catered for by the large number of ingenious cowling and panel fasteners now available. As with other equipment, manufacturers are listed below. Leather and plastic materials for trimming, and the clips, studs and zips associated with cushions, pockets and headrests in the cabin, offer considerable scope for individual taste. For a relatively small cost, the harness fasteners fitted as standard equipment in certain aircraft may be exchanged for more convenient and attractive designs offering simpler attachment and adjustment. It is well for the owner to give consideration to the type and colour of finish which is applied to an aircraft. High- gloss paint, for example, may have advantages beyond mere appearance and possible aerodynamic improvement, and its heat-absorption and reflection qualities should not be overlooked, particularly if the aircraft may be left for long periods in the hot sunshine of the Mediterranean or tropical countries. The names of Cellon, Docker Bros., I.C.I, and Titanine are well known as those of companies specializing in aircraft finishes. Flying clothing becomes less important to the light- aircraft pilot now that enclosed cockpits are the rule rather than the exception. However, there are still many open light aircraft flying in addition to ultra-lights and gliders, and in such as these helmets, goggles and gauntlets are still a necessity for many months of the year. Moreover, comfortable overalls are still favoured by many pilots in Small but practical: shown here, from left to right, are an Aerolex quick-release safety-belt buckle, " Dot " (Carr Fastener Co., Ltd.) general-purpose spring-type fastener, aircraft ashtray by Ernest Turner, Ltd., and Vickers-Armstrongs quick-release fastener for luggage lashing straps.
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