JUNE 29,

1939

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S H O C K I N G A F F A I R ; This undercarriage test rig, used by Aii craft Components, Ltd.. at Cheltenham is said to be the l a r g e s t in the world; it can simulate landing and taxying conditions for a gross weight of 60,000 lb. Under the planks is a b u m p i n g drum. The Dowty undercarriage shown is for a large bomber.

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THE INDUSTRY
New Girling Aircraft Brake

OR some time past New Hudson, Ltd., of Birmingham, working in conjunction with the De Haviland Company, have been developing a Girling brake for use on the Moth Minor. This new brake is exceedingly simple in its construction and method of operation. I t is modelled on the lines of certain former Girling types and, indeed, the only difference is to be found in the use of an Elektron back plate. I t will be recalled t h a t the Girling brake utilises shoes which are operated through the medium of separators actuated in a simple fashion by a tapered plunger. The inner ends of the separators are inclined in the opposite direction to the taper of, the plunger, and between them two rollers are interposed, so that friction is reduced and operation is light. The other ends of the shoes bear against the ends of two plungers similar to those of the expander, but in this case they are used for adjusting the shoes in relation to the drum. The inner ends of the adjuster plungers also have inclined faces, and between them rests a cone having four fiat faces. The cone may be screwed inwards, pushing the plungers outwards, and so pressing the shoes against the drum. A quarter turn back brings the shoes free of the drum with the correct clearance between drum and lining. The method of operating the brakes on the Moth Minor is simple. There is a hand lever mounted in a quadrant which has a ratchet and pawl. Attached to the lever is the end of the wire of a Bowden cable. The other end of the wire is connected t o the centre of the rudder bar.

The outer casing of the cable abuts against an adjuster a t the lever end and against a link movement at the rudder bar end. This link movement is connected with the cables which operate the brake separators. Since the rudder bar end of the wire is definitely fixed, movement of the hand lever causes the outer casing to push against the link movement, so that, with the rudder bar straight, both brakes are applied equally. Pressure on any one side of the rudder bar releases the pull on one of the brake-operating cables, rendering it possible to swing the aircraft round sharply on the rudder, one wheel being free and the other held by the brakes.

A Rolls-Royce Year

T. COL. LORD H E R B E R T SCOTT (chairman), presiding over the 32nd ordinary general meeting of Rolls-Royce, Ltd., held at Derby recently, said that the satisfactory profit for 1938 was the result of a heavily increased turnover. It was only towards the end of 1937 that full production of the Merlin engine was achieved. But Air Ministry requirements for this engine had necessitated double shift working and overtime throughout 1938, with the result that the turnover for the year in question benefitted accordingly. During this period the new factory at Crewe had not contributed towards production. but during the current year it would be making a substantial contribution towards the Company's output, with a proportionately heavy increase in engine deliveries for 1939The chairman pointed out that from the figures in the balance sheet it was clear that the real capital of the Company was considerably in excess of the issued capitalthe result of conservative finance over many yearswhereby it was possible to draw on resources for the abnormal increase of its activities without having to seek new capital. The profit of 479.950. with the carry forward of 91.947 from the previous year, gave a total of 571.897 for disposal. The directors recommended a final dividend of 17I per cent., making a total for the year of 25 per cent., subject to income tax.

Benzole Producers Confer

A simple lightweight Girling brake (described above) has been developed for use in small trainer and private owner types of aircraft. The new brake utilises shoes which are operated through the medium of roller seperators actuated by a cable-controlled tapered plunger. Similar mechanism is employed for adjustment at the pivoting ends of the shoes. T Brussels last week, benzole producers from all over the world attended the 12th Plenary Meeting of the International Conference of Benzole Producers. Great Britain was strongly represented by delegates from the National Benzole Company (the distributing organisation controlled by British producers) and from the National Benzole Association (a non-trading organisation which con-