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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 0376.PDF
176 - FLIGHT, 12 February 1954 COMETS—AND TRANSATLANTIC PSYCHOLOGY Some Frank Comments from Canada THESE views, expressed by a Canadian reader, strike us as being particularly enlightening. Though his remarks on the widespread effect of one kind of British export on the sales of other kinds may at first seem surprising, we have no reason to doubt their truth. Warnings about complacency are familiar, but they cannot be repeated too often. WHEN, in May, 1952, B.O.A.C. introduced jet travel with Comets, British prestige rose in the eyes of all informed North Americans. It soon became evident that the development of the Comet was one of the greatest advances ever made in aviation. People in the United States were asking themselves why Britain was so far ahead in airliner development. As the months passed, and we learned of the Viscount and Britannia, Britain's lead became more apparent. As an indication of just how important the Comet had become, not only to those directly concerned with aviation on this side, but to the layman as well, virtually every American magazine of any importance carried either a feature article on the Comet, or at least alluded to it and usually in praiseworthy terms. Among them were such widely read journals as Fortune, Newsweek, Colliers and Businessweek, to name a few. Nonh Americans read these articles and decided that Britain's aircraft industry deserved a lot of credit for its achievements. Now, North Americans are strange people in one respect. If one does a good deed or commits a commendable act, he is a "Good Joe." Indeed, almost everything about him suddenly becomes better and his shortcomings are overlooked. On the other hind, if he slips-up or ceases to distinguish himself, he becomes a "square." Perhaps this type of diinking is naive; yet it expresses, quite accurately I believe, the thinking of many Americans. This "quick to praise and quick to damn" attitude has never been more apparent than when applied to Comets. But the point of the matter is this: many other British products sold in North America gained added prestige with the advent of this transport. Now Britons do not have to be told how important their export industry is in these crucial times. Thus, the Comet caused the American housewife to choose English china; her husband bought a Jaguar automobile, and her son asked Santa Claus for a Raleigh bicycle for Christmas. I personally feel that no other single British achievement in recent years has done more to enhance Britain's position abroad than has the Comet and all it implies. Now let us look at the aviation situation in Britain today. That Britain has die lead in turbine-powered airliners there can be no question. But time is marching on, and her lead is not as A NEW material, known by die name of Secondite, was recendy demonstrated in London. Developed in Italy during the past 12 years by Mr. Angelo Secondi, it is produced by subjecting rice husks to a patented process which extracts all organic matter, leaving only silica, cellulose and lignin. When compounded widi other materials, such as concrete, magnesite or plaster, it can be used for general constructional purposes, or for insulation and soundproofing. In die recent demonstration, die material was shown to possess remarkable flame-resistant and heat-insulation properties. Secondite can also be used for filtration purposes; filters made of it are claimed to be extremely fine, efficient and durable. The demonstration emphasized various properties of die material. An 8in-thick block of Secondite, pierced by a steel bolt and placed for several hours on a surface at 1,800 deg C remained cool on top: die bolt, tiiough it melted at one end, was cool to die touch at the odier. An oxy-acetylene flame was unable to pierce a sheet of the material. A Secondite filter l^in diick, suitably placed in a special fuel tank, supplied petrol/air gas suit able for a slightly modified car engine. Such a filter—which, it is claimed, will actually perform the functions of botii fuel pump and carburettor—effects fuel economies stated to range between 20 and 40 per cent. Principal aeronautical applications, suggest die sponsors, lie in die protection of concrete surfaces and carrier decks from jet blast and kerosine corrosion, in soundproofing applications, and in replacing stainless-steel firewalls. Aldiough the material is available in test quantities, it is not yet being produced commer cially. An English company, die Secondite Co., Ltd., 25 Millbank, London, S.W.I, has been formed to exploit it widi a view to production in the not-too-distant future. Secondite, which we believe to be a result of Italian wartime secure as it was one year ago. Except for her leadership in civil aircraft, she is not now paving the way as she should be in other phases of aeronautical development. Here are some points worthy of note:— (1) While the backbone of R.A.F. fighter command is the Gloster Meteor and the American-designed, Canadian-built Sabre, the United States is beginning to re-equip its air forces widi more advanced machines such as the Super Sabre and Skyray. These, and other comparable American aircraft, will be in United States squadron service practically as soon as the Swifts and Hunters of die R.A.F. The point here is that the performance of the American machines seems to be superior to that of the British. (2) Although the prototype Valiants, Vulcans, and Victors are superior to any bomber now flying, a showdown in the near future would find die B-47 carrying most of the burden, with commendable assistance from R.A.F. Canberras. (3) Britain's leadership in engine development is narrowing. Notwithstanding the fact that British companies have provided the Americans with the basic "know-how" of jet engines, includ ing actual British engines, the fact remains that America is mass- producing a more powerful engine, namely, the Pratt and Whitney J57 widi a basic thrust of 10,000 pounds. Certainly, the announcement of the Gyron and other British engines is more than noteworthy; but such units have yet to be installed in an aircraft. (4) There can be little question that the United States is lead ing in the development and utilization of helicopters. (5) Rocket-powered, supersonic, piloted aircraft are an Ameri can monopoly. These are facts which few people would openly dispute. Ever since the Comet first made news there has been a tendency on die part of some Britons towards complacency; the attitude has been adopted that Britain was so far ahead that no one would ever catch up. No one needs to be told how dangerous such an attitude can be. Indications today are that in all phases of aviation in which Britain has undisputed lead the Americans are steadily closing the gap. Because of this situation I urge you in Britain to continue to develop all phases of aviation to the very limit of your resources. I realize that tremendous financial outlays are required. Never theless, I am sure mat, because of your present aeronautical prestige abroad, you will find that money spent now will be more than returned, not only to the aircraft industry itself, but to the British economy as a whole through increased exports of all types of British goods. C. P. B. research into synmetic materials, is claimed to have almost un limited applications. Its demonstrated qualities are certainly remarkable, but research carried out to date has not allowed a comprehensive assessment of the material, mainly because of the multiplicity of its applications. THE AIR MINISTRY ACTS A DISTINGUISHED audience, including the Secretary of -**- State for Air, Lord De L'Isle and Dudley, V.€., the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal T. G. Pike, and the Directoi- General of R.A.F. Medical Services, Air Marshal J. MacC. Kilpatrick, was present at the Fortune Theatre, London, on January 26th. The occasion was a performance by the Air Ministry's Adastral Players of A. J. Cronin's "powerful" three- act play, Jupiter Laughs, and a second performance was given the following evening. The audior knows medicine in many aspects, and his stor of an embittered but brilliant doctor, who is interested only i research and falls in love widi a woman doctor, is authentic an.i at times moving. The cast at this first performance were not as sure of themselves as we have seen diem in past productions, anrs a certain amount of rather audible prompting intruded on the ear; but to balance this fault there were some telling perform ances. Particularly noteworthy were Arthur Beckess, Re Widdup and Pamela Bickell, who made the most of rewarding pans; and Brian Robson and Percival Griffidis presented assure. cameos. Production (by Victor Kirby) was, as usual, polished- if a litde slow—and music was provided by a section of die Arier Orchestra, conducted by L. F. Foster. INSULATION—BY RICE HUSKS
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