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Aviation History
1966
1966 - 0245.PDF
148 RIGHT International, 27 January 1966 FOR many travellers by air the com- bined effects of novelty (and occasionally apprehension) are inclined to make them more aware of surroundings which they would take for granted in buses and trains. The longer the journey and the less attractive the interior decor, the more lasting and unfavourable will be the impressions that remain in a passenger's mind. Until comparatively recently, air- liner interiors were strongly influenced by tradition. Russian airliners, for instance, were reminiscent of Victorian railway carriages; and the A BAC executive One-Eleven interior by Marshall of Cambridge, using Belfort wood laminate made by Bonded Laminates Ltd. Furnishing and Finishing A "FLIGHT" REVIEW OF PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FROM OVER 250 COMPANIES earlier post-war British interiors Still bore traces of the Pall Mall club atmosphere that typified them before the war. Indeed, it was not until the artist's influence began to supersede the engineer's—a trend that first became apparent over here, in cabins of export Viscounts destined for the United States—that the strikingly pleasing interiors now apparent in the majority of today's passenger aircraft began to be the rule rather than the exception. (It must be admitted, in passing, that modern pressurisation requirements have inevitably spelled the doom of the generous-sized windows that were an attractive feature of earlier airliners.) Now, as the following pages endeavour to show, there are few if any aspects of aircraft interior finishing that cannot be undertaken by British companies. More than 250 are listed— spinners and weavers; cabinet makers, coachbuilders and upholsterers; cutlers, fabricators of steel, aluminium, plastics and glass. Few craft industries are not represented. Even nuclear engineer- ing has found a place with an ingenious means of lighting emergency notices without electricity. The skills of generations of British craftsmen have been handed down through centuries of unequalled experience of fine furnishings, to create aircraft interiors of which we may justly feel proud. This is an industry that need never fear for shortage of export orders. Carpets, fabrics, plastic sheet and foam, seats, table-ware, drinks in lightweight containers and countless other items are in constant demand wherever aircraft carry passengers. Furnished interiors also are an export of some value. A number of British firms specialise in fitting out bare hulls of any origin, for foreign rulers, airlines and businesses, and some of these contractors are mentioned in Section 2. G.C.S. NOTE. The writer wishes to acknowledge the assistance provided in compiling this review by Mr. R. V. Mason, AMSLAeT, development engineer, furnishing and seating, BOAC. INDEX TO SECTIONS 1 Design consultants. 2 Furnishing contractors. 3 Adhesives and sealants. 4 Carpets and flooring. 5 Cleaning materials. 6 Curtains and blinds. 7 Fire protection. 8 Floor and hold fittings; stairs. 9 Galley, bar and cabin service. 10 Insulation. 11 Lighting and electrical. 12 Notices and signs. 13 Oxygen equipment. 14 Paints and finishes. 15 Panelling, headlining and trimming. 16 Partitions, doors and cabinets. 17 Passenger address and intercommuni- cations. 18 Seats and tables. 19 Seat belts, seat accessories and fittings. 20 Seat upholstery and trim. 21 Survival and safety. 22 Toilet equipment. 23 Ventilation and heating. 24 Windows. An alphabetical list of manufacturers and their addresses (pages 155-157) concludes this review. 1.0 DESIGN CONSULTANTS Much of the credit for new styling in aircraft interiors is due to the design con- sultants. Their expert counsel has a power- ful influence on this competitive market. Specialists in interior decor whose con- tributions are widely acknowledged in Britain include such names as Charles Butler Associates, Robin Day, James Gardner, Johnathan Green Associates and Mrs Gaby Schreiber and Associates. 2.0 FURNISHINGCONTRACTORS It may seem odd that the first company to be mentioned in an essentially British review should be American, but Atlantic Aviation Corporation of Wilmington, Dela- ware, fit out many British aircraft—cur- rently HS. 125s—for North American cus- tomers. Interior finishing of aircraft for BUA and other clients is one of Aviation Traders (Engineering)'s numerous activities, and similar services are provided by B.KA Engineering. Baynes Aircraft Interiors de- sign and manufacture interior fittings and Contour Seats are specialists in cabin trim and upholstery. Numbers of luxury and passenger cabins have been fitted out to customers' require- ments by the Aircraft Division of Vmi Aircraft Services. Flitcform provide styling consultancy, and working parties for on- site conversions to their own or to clients designs. Marshal! of Cambridge fit out air- craft from all over the world; likewise Scottish Aviation, who will execute custom- built interiors during their SALchek over- hauls. 3.0 ADHESIVES AND SEALANTS Adhesives play an important if unsee" part in cabin finishing. Aero Engrare" supply double-faced adhesives for carped
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