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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 0535.PDF
FLIGHT, 29 February 195a 243 Surrounding the inner Merlin 724s of "Arc- turus," the new cow ling looks even cleaner than the original pattern. The blanked-off inner side (left) certainly gives the impression that "something is missing," while the larger photo graph enables a compari son with the original power-plant installation to be made. QUIETER ARGONAUT . . . comprise an increase in exhaust-system weight of 155 lb per engine—largely offset by the saving of 106 lb made by the new light-alloy radiator—and a slight increase in the time required for the inspection of tappets and valve gear; plug changes are unaffected. At present, Argonaut power plants are being sent to Rolls- Royce for modification as they become available. Apart from Atalanta, only the inner engines are being converted to the cross-over system in order to effect the maximum noise-reduction while maintaining aircraft hours at the highest level; when all the B.O.A.C. Argonaut fleet has been so treated, the aircraft will give up their outer power plants for modification until all T.M.L. Merlins have been modified to T.M.O. standard. Because it must be integrated with aircraft schedules the complete process of modifying all Argonaut power-plants is expected to take about a year. SYNTHETIC PARACHUTIST THE S.B.A.C last week disclosed details of an unusual line of research at present being conducted by a parachute firm on behalf of the Ministry of Supply. Development tests of a new type of parachute are of such a nature that live drops would be in advisable : among other things, they call for accurate simulation of an unconscious man. Elaborately constructed rubber dummies are, accordingly, being used. The dummies are made by the Hairlok Co., Ltd., who are specialists in rubberized seat-fillings, and the parachute makers concerned are the G. Q. Parachute Co. For the purpose of these particular trials that veteran jumper "Major Sandbags," or even an ordinary dummy man, would not give an accurate result because the distribution of weights would be wrong, as would the centre of gravity, while the dummy's movements would be false. At first it was thought that a simple "stuffed man" would be adequate; but the experts then realized that a real man was partly "solid" inside with only soft "stuffing" on the surface. It was decided to build a steel skeleton, suitably loaded with lead and covered with rubberized Latex foam. A set of calculations was produced based on the average crew man, taking the weight of every joint into account—the hand, wrist, lower-arm, fore-arm, etc. Every "bone" had to be the correct weight, have the correct centre of gravity, and have the right distribution of weight along its length. Over 1,200 bodies were analyzed before the statistics for this average crewman were settled. The first parachutist was then built. He had a steel tubing spine and members, a rudimentary wooden head, and a chest of welded layers of perforated steel plate. Hairlok moulding was put round his skeleton and the whole lot put in a canvas skin. Special spring limit-stops were placed between his joints so that, if an arm or leg were twisted to the human breaking-point during descent, the dislocation could be easily spotted on com pletion of tests. Any broken bones could be replaced with pre fabricated ones quite easily. Before the parachutist took off on his first flight and his first jump, he was spun vertically and horizontally to check that all his movements were articulated. They were correct to one-half per cent. "As a final touch," says the S.B.A.C.," he was given a chess board suit of black and white so that he would show up clearly on the test-film. Then he and several dozen more dummies like him embarked on a strenuous series of jumps to safety." FORTHCOMING EVENTS Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. R.Ae.S. Section Lecture: "Bogie Undercarriages," by F. A. Cousins, BAe.E., A.F.R.Ae.S. institute of Metals: "Chromium and Chromium-rich Alloys," by Maj. P. L. Teed, F.RAe.S., M.lnst.Met. British Gliding Association: Annual General Meeting. R.Ae.S. Graduates' and Students' Lecture: "An Introduction to Supersonics," by C. H. E. Warren, MA., A.F.R.Ae.S. 12. R.Ae.S.: Fifth Louis Bleriot Lecture: "The Future of the Flying- boat," by H. Knowler, A.M.I.C.E., F.R.Ae.S. (in Paris). 13. R.Ae.C: Film Show. 19. Aircraft Recognition Society: "Future Developments in Civil Aviation," by Peter G. Masefield, M.A., F.R.Ae.S. 21. Helicopter Association: "Recent Helicopter Research Investi gations," by W. Stewart, B.Sc. 25. R.Ae.S. Graduates' and Students' Section: Annual General Meeting and Talk on "Aerodynamic Oscillations of Suspension Bridges," by C. Scruton, B.Sc, A.F.RAe.S. 26. R.Ae.C.: Annual General Meeting. 27. R.Ae.S. Section Lecture: "Civil Jet Aircraft Performance, by D. R. Newman, A.F.R.Ae.S. 4. College of Aeronautics: Senior Common Room Society's Annual Dinner. 6. London Aeroplane Club: Dawn Patrol and A.G.M. 15. R.Ae.C.: Film Show. . 22. R.Ae.S. Graduates' and Students' Section: "Servo-mechanisms, by F. H. Borlace, B.Sc. (Eng.), Grad. R.Ae.S. 8. 11. Apr. 24. R.Ae.S.: "Fuel Systems for Turbine-driven Aircraft,' Walker, A.F.R.Ae.S. (at Luton). Vintage Aeroplane Club: Rally, White Waltham. F.A.I.: Committee Meetings, Madrid. Exeter Aero Club: Display. by J. E. May 3. May3-10. May 10. May 10-11. May 17. May 22. May 22. May 24-25. I'Association des Amis de I'Aumoneries de I'Air: Rally. Wolverhampton Aero Club: Display. Aero-Club du Dauphine: Air Meeting, Grenoble. Aero-Club de France: Coupe Stemm (helicopters). Cathedrals Speeton, Ragosine-Auster Trophy Navigation Competition, Filey, Yorks. May 29. R.Ae.S.: Fortieth Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture: "Prophecy and Achievement in Aeronautics," by Sir Harry M. Garner, C.B., M.A., F.R.Ae.S. May 30- June 2. May 31. May 31- June 2. May 31- June 2. June 2. Model-flying team contest, Belgium v. Great Britain, Mamur. Swansea and District Flying Club: Welsh Air Derby, Fairwood Common. Aero-Club de Cannes: International Rally. Ailes Sparnaciennes: Champagne Rally, Epernay. S.S.A.F.A: Air Display, Yeadon, Leeds.
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