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Aviation History
1960
1960 - 0109.PDF
FLIGHT, 22 January 1960 109 developed electroluminescent indicatorpanels for displaying passenger instruc- tions, based on the direct conversion ofelectrical energy to light—compact, low in weight and consuming very little power.Wording appears brightly and uniformly illuminated against an unlit background.The electroluminescent sign consists of a thin phosphor layer sandwiched betweentwo electrically conducting surfaces, one of which is transparent. When an alternat-ing voltage is applied to these two surfaces, the phosphor particles are directly excitedinto luminescence. One or both of the conducting surfaces may be shaped intowords, which then appear bright against an unlit background, but which are in-visible when the supply is switched off. The 400c/s supply is ideally suited tooperating these signs, and a small step-up transformer is desirable to step-up the115V supply to 200-350V. I PANELS, FINISHESAND TEXTILESVffALLITE sandwich panels have already 1»A been referred to in connection withmealboxes. Their original application, how- ever, was for aircraft floors and structuralbulkheads. Made by William Mallinson & Sons Ltd, Mallite EGB panels compriseend-grain balsa cores faced with Durestos or with aluminium-alloy sheeting. Coreand face thicknesses can be varied to give any required thickness. Where increasedstiffness is required in one direction, the core material can be reinforced by birchstrips; this type of sandwich, alummium- alloy faced, is suitable for re-flooring suchaircraft as DC-3s and Vikings, where the seat load is taken directly on the floorstructure, not through seat rails. Advantages claimed for Mallite flooringmaterial are rigidity and high strength/ weight ratio. Its moisture absorption islow. Mallite floors have been used to re- place heavier, worn out and unsatisfactoryfloors on Dakotas, Vikings, Ambassadors, and Argonauts, and replacement panelswill shortly be available for Viscount 800/810 aircraft. Among the most popular flexiblematerials for wall trims, head linings and luggage racks are fireproofed p.v.c.-coatedcloths, such as Lionide and Synthede, products of Jas. Williamson & Son Ltd, Lancaster, who claim to have supplied-practically all the vinyl leathercloths used ' on Britannia, Comet 4 and 4B, Dart Heraldand Vanguard aircraft and on Westland helicopters.One of their latest developments is a fireproofed p.v.c.-coated nylon of greatstrength and low weight. They also make [Vitroflex, a p.v.c.-coated glasscloth of ex-' eptional fire resistance and high strength; nd for floor coverings, Lionide Aerowalkis available in printed designs or plain, with plain finish or a non-slip pimpled em-issing. Marbled Crestalline, another illiamson floor finish, has been selectedy BEA for their Vanguard fleet. Many of tie colours and designs of these fabricsiave been inspired by well-known indus- ~ial design consultants specializing in air-ft interiors—Charles Butler Associates, ames Gardner and Mrs. Gaby Schreiber.'Waserite," made by Bakelite Ltd, 2-18, Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1,used for the decorative bulkhead doors British European Airways' Viscount•2s. The designs are permanently in- irporated beneath the plastics sheet toirotect them from damage. Other obvious s for Warerite arise in washrooms andthe galley. In the sub-pantry unit of OAC's Britannias, for example, the work- Crestaline floor covering and perforated Synthede wall-trim, both by Jas. Williamson, in BOAC's Comet 4 toilets top, the beverage-container cover, and themetal door of the cold storage box are all faced with metal-reinforced Wareritesheet. For any wood finishing required in theaircraft cabin, Cellon Ltd, Kingston-upon- Thames, Surrey, particularly recommendtheir new polyester wood lacquers, hard durable and fire-resistant. They also offerfire-resistant finishes for fabrics and metal surfaces. Wrinkle enamels, hammer finishes, tex-tured lacquers, gloss, eggshell and matt decorative and protective finishes in alarge range of colours are supplied by Docker Brothers, Rotton Park Street,Birmingham 16. They also have lacquers for coating vinyl surfaces, and a water-and stain-repellant for textiles such as air- craft seat covers and curtains, as well ascleaning and polishing agents. Textile materials for use in aircraft mustbe fireproofed, colour-fast, easily cleaned and light in weight. When, in addition,special designs and colour schemes are called for by the customer, it is necessaryfor design consultant and fabric manufac- turer to co-operate closely to ensure amaterial satisfactory in every respect. Not every textile manufacturer is willing todevote such effort to a comparatively small order. Among those that have given suchco-operation to their airline clients are British Replin Ltd, Ayr, Scotland, makersof all-wool repps. Aircraft on which their textiles are in use include BEA's Viscounts,BOAC's Comets, Hunting Clan's Viscounts and numerous other airliners. The latestaircraft seating material has been de- veloped for Aer Lingus and is to be usedfor seat upholstery throughout their fleet. A new upholstery fabric which may beof interest for aircraft furnishings is "Lyfflon," developed by S. Morris &Sons (Leeds) Ltd, and marketed by Luxurious Textiles Ltd, 6-12, Well Street,London E15. Lyfflon is a synthetic non- absorbed fibred material resistant to moths,dirt, water, rot and humidity, hardwearing and colour-fast to light and said to beeasily cleaned by wiping with a damped cloth. It is available in a range of colours. Nevertheless, traditional materials areunlikely ever to lose their appeal, and many manufacturers and operators continue toadhere to good-quality leather. A leading firm in this sphere is Connolly Bros(Curriers) Ltd, 39/43 Chalton Street, Euston Road, London NW1, who for manyyears have supplied leather for upholstery and panelling and for the general furnish-ing of aircraft and airports. Various types of material, including the company's ownVaumol brand, are at present in production for seat manufacturers, such as Rumbold,and for direct supply to operators, includ- ing BOAC, BEA and KLM.* * * Finally, attention may well be drawn totwo exhibitions which may interest those concerned with furnishing aircraft in-teriors. Now in progress, and running until January 27 (Saturday and Sunday excepted)is the "Courtaulds in Transport" exhibi- tion at Celanese House, Hanover Square,London Wl, concerned with the contribu- tion to the transport industry made byCourtaulds Ltd and their subsidiaries. Exhibits include a section of an airlinercabin and a speculative section devoted to Warerite sheet covers work-top and beverage container in BOAC Britannia sub-pantry units. The "Air Larda" cabinets are supplied by Hickman and the sub-pantry units by Rumere possible contributions to space travel inthe future. The other exhibition, which will provide an opportunity for seeingsome of the basic furnishing materials, is the Earls Court Furniture exhibition,which opens on January 27 next and con- tinues until February 6. 1
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