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Aviation History
1956
1956 - 1335.PDF
14 September 1956 487 importance as well as their need for a dearline-of-sight of the surroundings, were the airfield-surveillance radar units of DeccaRadar, Ltd., and A. C. Cossor, Ltd. Striped in pilot's-eye-catching orange andwhite, and with their tireless and vigilant scanners in friendly (but of course rival)20 r.p.m. phase, these two pieces of equip- ment provided a forceful reminder of theelectronic industry's contribution to every- one's aviation problem—that of congestedairspace. Ekco showed their handy one-manairfield approach aid, which, at the time of our inspection, was receiving the eagerappraisal of three U.S.A.F. colonels. Standard Telephones and Cables, Ltd.,also showed their precision approach radar, type SLA.3-B/2. This is meantfor permanent installation adjacent to the runway, with presentation in the controltower up to one and a half miles distant. Although Marconi did not exhibit out-doors, it would be unfair to omit here a mention of their ingenious indoor display.They relayed by radio link from London Airport—where, of course, Marconi air-field control radar (type S.232) has been the standard installation since 1952—on totwo display units on the stand all the comings-and-goings. Aircraft in the cir-cuit are detected by the S.232 (which works to a 50-cm wavelength, disposing of rain interference without the need forpolarization control) on one display; and where "clutter" makes identification diffi-cult, moving target indications (M.T.I.) on the second close-range low-altitudescreen conveniently remove fixed echoes. This system's usefulness was vividlydemonstrated when M.T.I, was switched off. Most targets just disappeared in theclutter. (The 232 display is, incidentally, provided with references which, when puton to a target, remotely control a separate Marconi height-finding radar). For goodmeasure, Marconi televised aircraft move- ments, and London Airport's aircraftactivities—with commentary—could be watched. Also displayed here was some of theutility equipment which performs vital if workaday jobs for aviation. One exhibit,new to the show and certain, we feel, to be a best-seller, was the Laycock(Sheffield) jet engine maintenance plat- form. At first glance it had a puzzling"what-on-earth-can-that-be?" look about it, but a process of logical deductionshowed it to be, like all good ideas, sim- plicity itself—a raisable, roomy platformwith a hole through which an engine rests endwise on the ground. The engine atthe show was an Avon, Rolls-Royce being keen users of this Laycock equipment.Aero Controls, Ltd., showed the infinite usefulness of their slotted structural com-ponents most practically, by erecting a lofty stand from which the directors—and customers no doubt—could watch the flying display. Access Equipment, Ltd.,with their "erect-in-minutes" components (aptly named Zip-Up) did likewise.Foamite, Ltd., a Tecalemit company, showed their dual-purpose fire-tender,which is fully capable of dowsing fuel fires. Pyrene, Ltd., showed a tendercapable of producing no less than 5,000 gal/min of extinguishing foam. Other exhibits, too numerous to men-tion in detail, were all worth inspecting. They included Ferranti's template-makingmachine; Sir George Godfrey's con- ditioning and pressure-testing equipment;E.M_I.'s vibration testers; Brockhouse's and Zwicky's mighty runway and apronsweepers; Brown Brothers' 50-ton jacks; A.S.T.'s equipment for sanitary work, ashygienically designed as could be desired; Auto Diesel's and Westinghouse's elec-trical servicing units; M.L.'s tubby little radio-controlled target aircraft ready forlaunching, and their air-freight engine stand with an Olympus installed; RuberyOwen's trailers; and Thompson's rocket- peroxide fueller. And—stealing the wholeshow with its periodic detonations— Martin-Baker's ejection seat trainer. Therewas no shortage of ejectees. "Flight" photographs The Future to Scale On the right, bearing the markings of an unknown State (presumed to be Follandia) is a model Gnat Trainer, also exhibited as a mock-up. A companion to the model of the Westminster was that of the WestlandWessex, shown below. This was arranged as an "admiral's barge." At lower right is represented the Hurel-Dubois/Miles H.D.M.106, adescendant of the Aerovan with a high-aspect-ratio wing. Among the mosthandsome models at Farnborough this yearwere those of de Havilland Comets,notably that on the left, showing theSeries 4A in the markings of CapitalAirlines. On the right is a repre-sentation of the Westland West-minster helicopter (two Napier Gazelle)showing, in particu- lar, the seatingarrangements of a typical passenger-transport version. fc.
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