FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1950
1950 - 2006.PDF
474 ovember 1950 WITHOUT REFLECTION A Practical Method of Lighting Instruments for Photographic Recording ONE of the problems incident upon the use of automaticobservers in the flight-testing of modern aircraft has beenthat of illuminating the instruments economically, and without reflection from the instrument glasses. A new methodof illuminating the instrument panel, evolved by Mr. P. D. Betteridge, of the Hawker Aircraft experimental department,has produced excellent results. The problem first occurred when it became necessary tophotograph 39 air-speed indicators used for measuring pres- sures, together with ten selsyn indicators for indicating control-surface angles. It had been noted that, when air-speed in- dicators were grouped together, there was always a space atthe corners, and this space was sufficient to allow a fin dia- meter hole to be drilled through the panel, so permitting the This photograph of an automatic-observer test panel demonstrates the admirable illumination and non-reflecting qualities of the new light units. (Left) Side view of air-speed indicator, showing how the new Hawker lighting unit is fitted through the panel at each of the four corners of the instrument. fitting of a specially designed light unit. This unit consistsof a Bakelite moulding which holds a 12-volt six-watt M.E.S. bulb, and the bulbs are series-wired in pairs to run off theaircraft 24-volt supply. The cap which shields each bulb from the camera is pressed from 22 s.w.g. aluminium sheet, andgreat care has been taken in design to ensure that the caps cannot come off accidentally. As may be seen from the photograph of a large automatic-observer panel, the light units (which, incidentally, weigh faz each) are fitted in each corner formed by four instruments, andall the way round the outside of the group; thus, every instru- ment is evenly illuminated. Mounting the light-sources soclose to the instrument dials has the immediate advantage that less power is required and, even more important, that reflec-tion from the glasses into the camera lens is impossible. Another special light unit devised for use with selsyn indicators consistsof a Bakelite moulding which houses 12-volt six-watt festoon lamps, and is fixed with the same screws as the instruments;these units weigh but ^oz each. ROCKETRY TV/TR. A. V. CLEAVER, A.R.Ae.S., who is in charge of the de•LVJ. Havilland Engine Company's work on rockets, is this evening presenting a paper entitled Rockets and Assisted Take-Off beforethe Royal Aeronautical Society. After outlining the essentials of the rocket motor, the paper goes on to deal with various formsof propellant, and the practical problems of rocket design and development. Some space is devoted to general engineeringproblems, and a broad survey is made of the various applications of rockets to assisting take-off, ending with a comparison withother methods of performing this function. £40,000 FOR BLACKBURN EX-DIRECTORS IN the 1949-50 report of Blackburn and General Aircraft,Ltd., provision is made for the sum of £40,000 to be paid to former directors "in settlement of all claims in respect ofthe termination of their service agreements or otherwise." It will be recalled that at the conclusion of the recent controversyon the management of the company it was announced that " settlement satisfactory to all parties had been reached." Reviewing future prospects in the report, Mr. Robert Black-burn warns shareholders that a drastic reduction in profits is inevitable, though he feels that the company's position issufficiently strong to withstand a temporary setback. Nov. 23. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Jan. 25. 28. 29. 30. 1. 5. 6. 7. 7. 8. 9. 12. 13. 13. 13. 14. 22. 29. 10. FORTHCOMING EVENTS R.Ae.S. : " Rockets and Assisted Take-off," by A. V. Cleaver, A.R.Ae.S. Helicopter Association : " Helicopter Piloting," by J. S. Fay. R.Ae.S. Section Lecture : " Metal Adhesive Processes," by F. H. Parker. R.Ae.S. (Weybridge) : Film Show. R.Ae.S. Graduates : " High-speed Flying," by S/L. John Derry, D.F.C. London Aeroplane Club : Annual Party. Institute of Transport (Graduates and Students) : " Pas- sengers by Air," by D. O. Bustard. R.Ae.S. (Brough) : Members' Lecturettes, and Film Show. Ariel Club (Air Ministry and MCA, Social and Athletic Association) : Annual Ball. R.Ae.S. : " Relative Merits of Centrifugal and Axial Com- pressors "—Discussion between Dr. E. S. Moult, B.Sc_, M.I.Msch.E., F.R.Ae.S., and H. Pearson, B.A., A.F.R.Ae.S. R.Ae.S. (Preston) : Annual Dance. Surrey Gliding Club : Christmas Party. R.Ae.S. (Belfast) : " Boundary Layers at High Speeds," by Prof. A. D. Young, M.A., A.F.R.Ae.S. R.Ae.S. (Preston) : " Rockst Propulsion and Interplanetary Flight," by A. V. Cleaver, A.R.Ae.S. R.Ae.S. (Weybridge) : " Designing for High Speed," by Professor E. J. Richards, M.A., B.Sc, F.R.Ae.S. Herts and Essex Aero Club : Annual Dinner and Dance. R.Ae.C. : Film Show, Londonderry House. West Ridini Aviation Centre : Annual Dinner and Dance. R.Ae.S. (Weybridge) : Annual Dance. R.Ae.S. (Brough): "High-speed Flight," by H. Davies, M.Sc, F.R.Ae.S.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
