DECEMBER 16,

1937.

FLIGHT.

605

T h e recognition of t h i s fact h a s led t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of a m e t h o d of reinforcing " I m p r o v e d W o o d " wherever increased s t r e n g t h is required, e.g., w h e r e fittings h a v e t o be fixed a n d where, b y t h e use of a t h r e a d or bolt holes, a r e d u c t i o n of sectional s t r e n g t h occurs. These local increases of s t r e n g t h enable m a t e r i a l of uniform outside dimensions t o b e used where, as w i t h o t h e r m a t e r i a l s , a n increase of t h i c k n e ss would b e essential t o c o m p e n s a t e for t h e loss of sectional s t r e n g t h . T h e suitability of smaller standardised fittings w i t h fewer b o l t s is t h e result, t h e saving of weight t h u s effected fully m a k i n g u p for t h e increased specific g r a v i t y of t h e reinforced p a r t s . O n e m e t h o d of m a k i n g " Reinforced W o o d " which h a s been in successful use for some t i m e is t h a t k n o w n as t h e p a t e n t e d " H e i n e P r o c e s s , " in which a n u m b e r of e x t r a

veneers, v a r y i n g as t o t h e required s t r e n g t h , a r e interleaved a n d pressed t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e r e s t of t h e m a t e r i a l t o a uniform thickness. T h e d r a w i n g p u b l i s h e d o n p . a, F i g . 1, shows t h e principle of this m e t h o d , a n d also t h a t , b y v a r y i n g t h e length of t h e interleaved veneers, a zone of g r a d u a l t r a n s i t i o n is c r e a t e d , t h u s avoiding a n y d a n g e r o u s s u d d e n sectional c h a n g e . T h i s m e t h o d of reinforcing h a s a l r e a d y been successfully em ploye d in roots of airscrew blades, spars, etc. ( H e i n e - J a b l o Propellers, L t d . ) . Increase of s t r e n g t h rendered possible b y i m p r o v i n g a n d reinforcing wood is s h o w n in Figs. 2 a n d 3 . " I m p r o v e d W o o d " is compressed wood of uniform density. " R e i n f o r c e d W o o d " is " I m p r o v e d W o o d " of varying density and strength.

COLLEGIATE COMPANIONSHIP
Chelsea Dines and Dances
" " > H E L S E A " has become synonymous, in flying circles, I with the College of Aeronautical Engineering. " He V*^rf was trained at Chelsea" is an expression now frequently heard, and is a t once understood to mean t h a t the young man in question has been a student at the Chelsea College and has passed his examinations. I t has become customary for the Automobile Engineering Training College and the College of Aeronautical Engineering to hold an annual dinner and dance, a t which the Principal, Mr. C. H. Roberts, outlines the progress made by the colleges during the year. This year, a t the dinner held a t Grosvenor House on Tuesday of last week, Mr. Roberts was able to report not only good steady progress a t both colleges, b u t some interesting innovations in the matter of special work on hand. For instance, the College of Aeronautical Engineering has been entrusted with the construction of the first aircraft to be designed for the Air League of the British Empire, and with the building of a new type of light aeroplane for a well-known aircraft designer. The College is offering a prize of 100 for the best design for a light aeroplane, and will carry out the final drawings, stressing and building of the first experimental machine. The offer is not confined to students of the College, b u t is open to anyone, because, as Mr. Roberts explained, it is felt t h a t there must be excellent brains hidden in drawing offices and workshops throughout the country. The competition has drawn entries from places as far apart as Holland, California, Canada and South Africa. By December 31, the closing date, they hoped to see some very interesting designs. struck by the close association of the two industries, automobile and aircraft. Sir Francis jokingly remarked t h a t this close association should be dear to the heart of Lt. Col. Moore-Brabazon, who wanted t o give the control of civil aviation to the Ministry of Transport. After what Col. O'Gorman had said [he had been very scathing in his comments on speed restrictions, Belisha crossings and so forth] Sir Francis would very much hesitate to go to that Ministry. Pointing out t h a t he received no commission from the College, Sir Francis said he was frequently asked by young men what were their chances if they went there. His reply was t h a t if they got their diplomas they would get a job in the industrythe job depended on individual ability, but a job was assured. The College did train men who would one day be the administrators of civil aviation. Its aim was to instil a sense of responsibility rather than t o train students to pass examinations. T h a t was training on the right lines. L t . Col. Moore-Brabazon expressed the thanks of the Colleges to Lord Wakefield for his scholarships and for his many other contributions to aviation. He pointed out t h a t when the aircraft industry was in a tight corner over the expansion it went to the motor industry for help [he was referring to the shadow scheme]. Of Mr. Handley Page, Lt. Col. Mocre-Brabazon said t h a t he introduced the large aeroplane. Eveything about him was big, and even his humour was broad. He hoped t h a t by way of a change Mr. Handley Page would enter for the College's small-aircraft design competition ! Kathleen, Countess of Drogheda, then presented a replica of the Drogheda Trophy to Mr. F . P . Whitehead, of, the Automobile Training College, and Miss Amy Johnson presented a replica of the Mollison Trophy to Mr. H. A. Craw. The rest of the evening was spent very enjoyably in dancing and in watching some excellent cabaret turns. * * # The Automobile College has now completed twelve years and the Aeronautical College six. There are 350 students under instruction, 269 a t the engineering works a t Chelsea and Fulham, 62 on aircraft and aerodrome work at Brooklands, and 19 obtaining final experience with co-operating companies in the aircraft industry. During the year ended September, rg37, the following diplomas were issued by the Aeronautical College: 3 honours, 14 first-class passes, and 5 second-class passes. In external examinations (Royal Aeronautical Society) students obtained four first places in the Associate Fellowship grade and "thiee firsts in the Associate Membership grade. Eleven students qualified for Ground Engineers' Licences, 70 in category A, 69 in C, 43 in X, 8 in B and 3 in D.

Two

Industries

Lt. Col. Mervyn O'Gorman responded to the toast of the automobile industry, while Mr. Handley Page replied for the aircraft industry. In doing so he jestingly complained that Col. O'Gorman had taken all the letters of the alphabet (on the menu the following appeared after his n a m e : C.B., D . S c , M.I.C.E., M.I.Mech.E., F.K.Ae.S., M . I . E . E . , M.I.A.E.), and said t h a t he (Mr. Handley Page) was responding for an industry t h a t , compared with the automobile industry, was unfortunate. In the aircraft business they had no patron like Lord Nuffield, and their troubles were passed over in silence. The aircraft industry, Mr. Handley Page continued, was composed of a variety of companies. He understood t h a t some had shareholders who received circulars. Others even received bonuses, but t h a t was only a catch, and was followed by requests for subscriptions for more capital! However, he did not want students to be downhearted about all t h a t . They had a great future. The aircraft industry had passed and was passing through a difficult period. After a long period of disarmament, during which the industry had been reduced to a total of something like 2,000 people, there was a sudden expansion, and in addition to finding the necessary workers, t h e industry had had to change from the familiar biplane type of aircraft to the monoplane. This had meant a complete change in manufacturing technique. However, the superb firms in the industry had made a good job of it, and he was tempted to quote William P i t t ' s words: " You have saved yourselves by your exertions; may you save Europe by your example." L t . Col. Sir Francis Shelmerdine, Director-General of Civil Aviation, in proposing the toast of the Colleges, said he could claim to have been in close association with the College of Aeronautical Engineering since its inception. The College was now doing work of national importance, and he had been

Aero Engines, Ltd.

H E circumstances of the mutual termination of the licence agreement to manufacture Hispano-Suiza aero engines in this country are to be explained at the general meeting of Aero Engines.. Ltd., to be held next Tuesday, December 21. The chairman's speech (which was published with the report and accounts) will state that since the co-opting of Mr. E. C. Gordon England to the board as deputy chairman the company has made a rapid recovery, and that the directors have confidence t h a t the period of losses is at an end. A loss of 57,478 is shown in the accounts for the 13 months to July 31 last, as against a loss of 1^851 for the preceding period. The company was formed in 1935.