I’m constantly coming up with snippets of data and information that whilst not commonly known and are therefore of interest, cannot be featured in any of our publications, are not worthy of a book on their own, or too specialist for any of the magazines.
For example, I have a copy of the patents for the Molins 6 pounder that was fitted in the Mk.18 Mosquito that shows exactly how Desmond Molins and his team got the thing to fire automatically in an aircraft, including finding a way to stop the ‘draught’ pressurising the inside of the aircraft as the breech opened at 300 mph!
Molins, incidentally also did a lot of work on Hispano 20mm cannon and increased production of ‘Verey’ pistols dramatically.
My point is this – do forumites think – and would the moderators allow – all and anyone to compile and publish such articles here?
I can see at least two problems – a lot of people are unhappy to share their research and there is always a risk of copyright infringement by others ‘stealing’ the work, but I for one would be happy to take that gamble – I think it’s more important to get new or little-known information out in the public domain rather than gathering dust in someones ‘I’ve got but you aint having’ files.
Comments and shooting down in flames attempts awaited with interest!
By: GrahamSimons - 2nd August 2009 at 06:00
Any comments from any of the moderators as to if this could be tried?
By: Arabella-Cox - 1st August 2009 at 22:26
Having scratched the surface of the old reports held at Boscombe Down I wish had the time and patience to offer my assistance to FAST who apparently have a large number of Reports from Farnborough that need sorting.
The majority of information from such sources that has so far been published tend to concentrate on what the aeroplane was like to fly but the engineering and research stuff can be equally facinating. Or is that just me who can get excited over the engineering assessments of an air filter on an Italian fighter in the Western Desert, or the beam guns on a Stirling.
By: Thunderbird167 - 1st August 2009 at 19:08
I think it would be a great idea.
We often keep too much to ourselves which then becomes lost in time.
I have benefited from use of the forum as there is a great pool of knowledge .
You just never know who can piece these bits of information together.
We often each have a piece of a jigsaw and the forum is a good place to find the other bits.
By: spitfireman - 1st August 2009 at 17:53
I can see at least two problems – a lot of people are unhappy to share their research and there is always a risk of copyright infringement by others ‘stealing’ the work, but I for one would be happy to take that gamble – I think it’s more important to get new or little-known information out in the public domain rather than gathering dust in someones ‘I’ve got but you aint having’ files.
I have stuff that would fit the bill, perhaps when uploaded they could be catagorised into groups:
a. Not for further transmission (period)
b.seek permission from copyright holder before use
c.permission not needed
Even down to rare photos, etc
Great idea, can see the potential
cheers
Baz
By: Consul - 1st August 2009 at 17:42
If you’re the Graham Simons who has produced books / booklets about the DH.86 etc then you already have a good record as a researcher. If you’ve got interesting information on esoteric aircraft matters and you’re generous enough to share it here then it can only be a good thing as it helps improve our collective knowledge. Bring it on!
Tim
By: Whitley_Project - 1st August 2009 at 12:23
That would be great 🙂
By: MerlinPete - 1st August 2009 at 11:56
Graham.
I think it`s a great idea. I would guess it could become very large and therefore would need to be made into easily-accessible categories to be user-friendly enough.
Pete
By: Sopwith - 1st August 2009 at 11:48
Yes I think that sounds like a good idea.Obscure gen is usually interesting for someone.Look forward to what everyone else thinks.
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August 1, 2009 at 11:33 am