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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 0288.PDF
288 FLIGHT, 4 March 1955 THE INDUSTRY Glass Fibre LaminatesI N a recent note on developments in glass-reinforced plastics forthe aircraft industry we mentioned that there had recently been moves in the direction of further improvement of the fire-retardantqualities of these materials and that grades suitable for use in aircraft interiors were now available.Among examples of this class of plastics are the "Rilglaze" glass fibre polyester resin laminates manufactured by RubberImprovement, Ltd., Wellingborough, Northants. Available in various grades, these laminates are, in general, characterized bytheir high mechanical strength and heat-resistance value, combined with insulation properties. Special fire-retardant grades for theaircraft industry are suitable for such uses as cabin-wall trim, luggage and compartment linings. Another grade, with good punching and machining properties,is commonly used in the form of blanks for the manufacture of electrical components. Ground Radio at L.A.P. TN a summary of the uses to which their telecommunications*- equipment is now being put at London Airport, the firm of Pye, Ltd., mention that the largest user is Shell-Mex and B.P.,whose tankers daily supply some 50,000 gallons of fuel to aircraft there. At one time, when an aircraft was waiting to be refuelledon tarmac two or three miles from the company's main depot, a tanker would be despatched, perform the necessary duty and thenreturn to base—only to find five minutes later that a refuelling call had come from an aircraft parked a few yards from the firstmachine. The obvious solution was to use radio, and the fuel com- pany's manager at the airport, Mr. J. R. Grant, forthwith equipped18 of his biggest tankers with Pye "Reporter" radio-telephone sets; the number is now being increased to 25. B.E.A. also make extensive use of the Pye "Reporter," par-ticularly on tractors which, towing aircraft across from the main- tenance base, have to cross runways and taxi tracks, with a con-sequent need for very clear and up-to-the-second instructions to drivers if safety is to be maintained. Many other varieties oforders, of course, are also passed to tractor drivers. On the tarmac, a familiar sight is the traffic officer with a PyeWalkie-Talkie, by which a steady flow of two-way information is maintained between the B.E.A. traffic offices and aircraft loadingor unloading. B.O.A.C. also use "Reporter" equipment on tractors; and,instead of using Walkie-Talkie, they have two "Reporter" sets fitted into two sets of passenger steps. Their duty officer also has a car fitted with R/T equipment. Trans-World Airlines are- another company using "Reporter" sets, Pye, too, are identified with air-to-ground equipment at London Airport. They are, for instance, co-operating with Pan American in the installation of an experimental V.H.F. control system. Also, in co-operation with other electronic-equipment manufacturers they have played a part in the installation of the I.L.S. system at the airport; they were responsible for all the ground equipment for this system. •. • : • P.T.F.E. Developments STATED to be one of the earliest concerns to develop the pro-cessing of P.T.F.E. (polytetrafluoroethylene), the firm of Crane Packing, Ltd., of Slough, announce the design and constructionin their own works of new extrusion plant for this material. Now in continuous operation, the plant makes practicable the extru-sion of P.T.F.E. rod and tube in external diameters of up to 4in. Tube of this diameter has a minimum wall-thickness of Jinand is being supplied in standard lengths of three feet, though other lengths can be supplied to special order if the quantityrequired justifies it. Two grades are supplied in rod and tube form—one the standard grade and the other a special grade possess-ing exceptionally good electrical properties. Also announced by Crane Packing, Ltd., is a new process whichthey have developed for applying P.T.F.E. dispersion coatings,-, they are now in a position to undertake the application of suchcoatings to moderately large components. About Fuel and Fuelling ISSUED primarily as a manual for Esso airport personnel, theEsso Aviation Refuelling Guide has been translated into seven different languages and circulated to airfields throughout theworld. The current edition, a booklet of 70 pages, is a model publication of its kind; attractively printed in three colours andillustrated with numerous diagrams and thumbnail humorous sketches, it explains in simple, forceful language every aspect ofthe duties likely to be performed by its readers. Needless to say, the theme of safety is prominent throughout. Another booklet published by the Esso Petroleum Co., Ltd.(Aviation Department, Artillery House, Artillery Row, London, S.W.I) is a table of equivalents for Esso Aviation products, con-sisting of classified lists of British and American fuel, oil and lubricant specifications. Indicative of the scope of the company'sbusiness is the fact that some 110 products and/or grades are listed. IN BRIEF I.V. Pressure Controllers, Ltd., have concentrated their salesorganization at Atlas House, 683 London Road, Isleworth, Middlesex. Their factories are at Forge Works, 844 Bath Road,Cranford, Middx., and Southern Trading Estate, Drakes Meadow, Gresham Road, Staines, Middx. * * * A leaflet, No. BH31, from Hellerman, Ltd., Tinsley Lane,Crawley, Sussex, gives details of the company's new pressure-type cable terminals, together with illustrations of the use of the crimp-ing tool and application of binding sleeves and printed markers. * * * Mr. Charles Hemm has been appointed Dunlop's director ofprojects (general rubber goods). During the war he was general manager of the company's barrage balloon division and acted asproduction adviser to M.A.P. on the manufacture of all low- pressure inflatable devices. * * • The small tools division of Wm. Jessop and Sons, Ltd., ofSheffield, have adopted a new system of indicating, on the shank ends of their carbide-tipped tools, the grade of tip fitted; thuseven when the tools are stacked close together in large racks a glance is sufficient to identify the item required. * * * The Institute of Petroleum (26 Portland Place, London, W.I)has recently published in book form, at 30s, the papers given at the Institute's summer meeting at Llandudno last May; dis-cussions are also included. Among the papers are Air Transport Fuels, by A. L. Parker, and Lubrication of Aircraft, by M. F.Hoare, A. L. Parker and J. T. Tyson. * * * E.M.I. Electronics, Ltd., have lately produced three new modelsof stroboscopic balancing machines capable of dealing with rotors of various kinds up to 24in in diameter and 150 lb in weight. They are designed to measure out-of-balance forces producingdisplacements as small as 0.000025in. The amount of unbalance is visually indicated on a meter and its location is shown by thestroboscope lamp. The new machines are to be on view for the first time at the Electrical Engineers' Exhibition at Earls Court,London, from March 15th to 29di. * * * . -„- ' ... "Sheepbridge Engineering, Ltd., announce that, by arrangement with the German firm of Mahle-K.G., they have secured UnitedKingdom manufacturing and sales rights for a special process of chromium-plating light alloy I.C. engine cylinders and similarcomponents. * * * :---• .'••:' Claimed to challenge the best the Continent can produce in theway of extremely high precision lathes, a new machine produced by Hardinge Machine Tools, Ltd., Feltham, Middlesex, is statedto combine with its precision both robustness and high speed of operation. * * * Two new products of Allweather Paints, Ltd., 36, Great QueenStreet, London, W.C.2, are a paint stated to withstand tempera- tures as low as -60 deg F, and the effects of acid, alkali, brine andammonia, without losing its efficiency in surface protection; and a chlorinated, rubber-based, mould-resistant paint incorporating afungicide which will not cause embrittlement or other deterioration of the paint film. * * * From Light Soldering Developments, Ltd., 106 George Street,Croydon, Surrey, come notes on their various items of light solder- ing equipment. Among these is the "Permabit" soldering instru-ment, evolved in order to overcome the recognized drawbacks of copper bits. It is claimed that the bit lasts indefinitely, does notbecome pitted or lose its face, and requires no re-shaping, filing or maintenance. Where maximum heat is required, copper bitsare available with tips made of "Permabit" material
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