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Aviation History
1951
1951 - 0715.PDF
20 April 1951 445 should be advanced as a single claim. They would be "entirelyhappy" to have any recommendations for an award made as a single lump sum, which they themselves would be prepared todivide in proportions already agreed. Sir Robert Watson-Watt said that, at the request of the Directorof Scientific Research at the Air Ministry, he undertook late in 1934, or early in 1935, to investigate the possibilities of a "deathray" for use against aircraft. He submitted a memorandum in which he said he was strongly against the economic possibility ofsuch a ray, but said that he was examining the problem of detecting enemy aircraft by radio. Between 1933 and 1935, said Sir Robert,a "handful of bright young men," at the Slough radio research station were allowed to select their own problems to study; it wasthis training in versatility of approach that was the key to their success in the development of radar. In May, 1935, developmentfacilities were made available and the pioneer workers moved to Orfordness, Suffolk. The letters "R.D.F." used to describe theproject on which they were engaged meant nothing whatsoever, though it was immediately assumed that they signified "radiodirection finder." The following year the workers moved to Bawdsey, Suffolk, and after much research and experiment anuninterrupted "frontier" of radar stations from Aberdeen to the Isle of Wight, with a detached element at Scapa Flow, was put intooperation. The chain was manned by Service personnel on a 24- hour watch until after V.E. Day. On April 13th—the second day's hearing of the claim—Mr. P.Stuart Bevan, representing the Ministry of Supply, stated that Britain spent about £250 million on her radar services during thewar. Sir Robert had earlier estimated expenditure at about double that figure. The hearing was adjourned until May 22nd. Cranfield Dinner IAST Friday evening, April 13th, the Senior Common Room-* Society of the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield, held their third annual dinner, and this extremely pleasant function was attended by a large number of eminent guests. During the speeches—which we shall report next week—valedictory refer- ences were made to the retiring Principal, Mr. Relf, who has done so much to make the College the success it is today. Recognition Enthusiasts Warned TpHE chairman of the Aircraft Recognition Society, Mr. E. G. A.*• Wilton, has sent members a warning on the subject of security. Most members, he says, possess information of some kind whichhas not been generally released. He exhorts them not to discuss such knowledge even with fellow-enthusiasts in the privacy oftheir own meetings. The well-being of the Society, he adds, is endangered by thoughtlessness in this matter. Synthetic-Adhesive Course "BELIEVED to be the first of its kind, a course in the technology-"-* of synthetic resin adhesives, is to be held this autumn by Aero Research, Ltd. Of five days' duration, the course is designedto cover (1) the use of synthetic resin adhesives in the woodwork- ing industries (2) their application to engineering, electrical manu-facturing and other industries. Alternative programmes will be arranged, but some lectures (e.g., introductory talks on plastics,fundamentals of adhesion, methods of reducing setting-times) will be common to both courses. Demonstrations and practical work will be at the firm's head-quarters at Duxford, while lectures will generally be held in Cambridge. Accommodation will be provided at St. Catherine'sCollege, where the course will assemble on September 23rd. Applications for enrolment, it is stated, have already beenreceived from half a dozen Continental countries. A brochure is obtainable on application to Aero Research, Ltd. Major Geminis T\URING the dreary waterlogged winter months Wolverhamp- -*-' ton Aviation, Ltd., has amongst its other activities been hard at work on Gipsy-Major-powered Miles Geminis. The delivery of one such aircraft to the Shell Petroleum Co., Ltd., was illus- trated last week. This is one of four similar Mk IIIA Genriinis with D.H.Gipsy Major 10 engines which have been assembled at Wolverhampton. The word "assembled" is used intentionally, although it is something of an understatement. The four Geminis under con- sideration were purchases in units off the Miles production line after the company had gone into liquidation, and Wolverhampton Aviation have now completed the complicated business of assem- bling the airframes with all modifications to date; fitting the high- powered engines; making other improvements; and, finally, of testing and licensing the aircraft. During the winter the company have in fact restressed the Gemini airframe as a double check in DOWN TO THE SEAS AGAIN: Ageing, but still eminently useful. Sunderland 5 flying boats (four Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasps) are being recondititioned at the Belfast works of Short Brothers and Harland, Ltd., for service with the R.A.F. and France's " Aeronautique Navale." In this "Flight" photograph of two of these machines before delivery the Frenchman can be distinguished by the lack of squadron letters. view of the increased authorized maximum weight and con-siderably higher speed. Differences between the Gemini IIIA, of which three have sofar been completed, and the standard IA in addition to the engines include replacement of the batteries behind the cabinbulkhead; installation of a veneered-wood instrument-panel; improvement in soundproofing; and fitting of the latest type oftyres with strengthened walls. A full blind panel and Pesco pump are fitted as standard. The Major 10s are fully-screened engines and carry a 500-wattgenerator. A metal airscrew is standard equipment on the Wol- verhampton Ilia. The r.p.m. indicators remain on the nacelles. Authorized maximum a.u.w. is 3,300 lb—300 lb more than thestandard aircraft. With pilot and full main and long-range tanks —66 gall total—380 lb of payload still remains for disposal in thecabin and nose compartment. If radio is fitted (the Shell aircraft carries S.T.R.9) this figure is, of course, reduced. A full fuel-load is sufficient for a cruising range of just over 700miles at a speed of 155 m.p.h. at 2,200 r.p.m. with airscrews of fairly coarse pitch. The maximum continuous cruising speed at2,300 r.p.m. is 165 m.p.h., and the all-out level speed, 182 m.p.h. Take-off is reputed to be quite exceptional, so the coarse-pitchairscrews are carried easily. The standard price quoted by Wol- verhampton Aviation is £3,250; with radio and other extras suchas sunblinds, the Shell aircraft cost £4,000. An early converted privately-owned Gemini IB is also beingrepowered with later Majors—10s—and will become a IIIB. This machine is to have retractable flaps. It will be recalled, incidentally, that Mr. Miles, whose namethe Geminin bears, is building a modified version of the aircraft with 150 h.p. Cirrus Major engines, to be called the Aries. Apr. 21. Apr. *26. Apr. 26. Apr.Apr. May May May May May May May May May May May June June June June June June June June June July June 28.29. 5-8. 6. 12-13. 12-14. IT-14. 14. 19. 19. 20. 26. 26. 2-4. 2. 3. 8-10. 9. 9-10. 10. 15-18. 15- 1. 24. FORTHCOMING EVENTS Helicopter Association: Film Show. R.Ae.S.—Night Hop and History of the Helicopter. R.Ae.S.: Discussion: "Air Travel from the Passenger's Point of View." R.Ae.C. Film Show: Flying Club, 1925-50. film and commen- tary by A. Graham Head, and Eagles of the Fleet. Exeter Aero Club Rally. First International Helicopter Competition, Italy. Foire de Paris Rally. Toussus-le-Noble. R.Ae.S.: Garden Party. White Waltham. Isle of Wight Air Races. Aero-Club de France: Champagne Rally. S.M.A.E. International Model Competitions. S.S.A.F.A.: Air Display. Hucknall, Notts. Derby Aero Club: "At Home" and Flying Display. Helicopter Association: Annual General Meeting Kent Coast Flying Club: "At Home" (sponsored by A.B.A.C.). Newcastle-on-Tyne Air Display. Wolverhampton Aero Club: "At Home" and Goodyear Trophy Race. Yorkshire Aeroplane Club: International Rally. Auster Flying Club: Rally, Rearsby. Auster-Ragosine Homing Trophy, Rearsby. Air Circuit of Sicijy. Rally and Race, Fairwood Common Aerodrome, Swansea. Royal Air Forces Association: Annual Conference, Torquay. Lancashire Aero Club: "At Home" (sponsored by A.B.A.C.). Royal Danish Aero Club: International Rally. Paris Aero Show. International Rally, Pisa, Italy.
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