RE: Engines Again

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-10-02 AT 07:57 PM (GMT)]Keith

Thanks for that info. I remembered the “SilentKnight” as soon as you mentioned it – it was buried away in the memory banks from years ago. I now recall that it was fitted with sleeve valves and can recall wondering at the time what the hell they were.

Your comment regarding the maintenance of poppet valves on aero engines makes sense – I can imagine they would be labour intensive, particularly as those engines had mechanical valve actuation instead of hydraulic lash adjustment. But the feeling that Bristol had about poppet valves reaching the end of their development is interesting too. We are talking about the 1940’s, when the reciprocating engine was still quite crude compared to today’s engines. The interesting thing is that since the 40’s, engine development, particularly with motor cars, has adhered for the most part with multiple poppet valves and the volumetric efficiency of today’s engines, combined with the vastly improved breathing afforded by multiple camshafts and valves and fuel injection, tends to indicate that poppet valves still had a long way to go. Obviously though, such applications do not apply to aviation and I think that the turbo-prop engine was really the death of conventional piston engined aircraft and sleeve valves.

Your articles on the technical aspects of aviation are probably the most interesting I have seen on these forums. Keep them up – for those of us with any mechanical aptitude, they are fascinating.

Regards

Wombat

RE: It’s the RAF over that Dam again!

Guys

This business with the non-display of swastikas is certainly nothing new.

I collected plastic aircraft kits during the 60’s and it was only towards the very end of this hobby, say by 1969, that swastikas were included in decal sets with the models. It always looked odd to have detailed 109’s, 190’s, 262’s etc, with full camo and no swastikas.

The story went that the kits were sold in countries where the swastika was still forbidden to be displayed, so the kits were marketed without them, regardless of where they were to be sold.

As for pulling down photos that might offend etc, more stupid bloody political correctness from the home of political correctness – the UK!

Regards

Wombat

RE: Why it is so different? Lancaster and Halifax

We should probably remember too, that the first “version” of the Lancaster wasn’t much chop either. It was called the Manchester.

I think the fact that the Lancaster was a derivative of an earlier, unsuccessful bomber, probably helped in getting it right from the start. The Halifax didn’t enjoy this head start.

If the earlier versions of the Halifax and Lancaster were widely different in their effectiveness, how would members rate the later versions? Certainly, the Halifax was a much more potent weapon at the end of its development, and I don’t think the difference between it and the Lancaster was all that great.

I think the one thing the Lancaster had over other bombers was the enormous bomb bay, which was one continuous cavity. This made it far more easily adaptable to carry the 10,000 and 22,000 bombs as well as the Dambuster bomb. Have a look at the size of the Lanc, compare it to the B-17, for example, then compare the size of the bomb bays.

The easiest way to do this is to look at two 1-72 scale models. I thought this back in the 60’s when I was a mad modeller, and couldn’t help thinking how much more of a bomber the Lanc. was.

Regards

Wombat

RE: Pics of your city, please.

Guys

I’d love to post pictures of Sydney, but you probably got sick to death of seeing the place on TV during the Olympics…

Regards

Wombat

RE: Aussie Meatbox

Ant

Yes, I can see your point. Would have been a bit difficult fighting Hitler from Canada, wouldn’t it? At least we would have had aircraft which could reach Europe, the Jerries would have been stuffed trying to return the favour!!!

Actually, you have raised a valid point. Had Britain fallen, where would the war have gone? It’s probable that Hitler would still have turned his attention to Russia by mid or late 41, and we know that he would eventually have lost the war in the East. Assuming that Germany had control of the continent plus the British Isles, how far back would he have been pushed by the Russians if the Allies didn’t have a base in the west from which to launch Overlord? The only real option might have been to launch from North Africa on a bigger scale than Torch.

Maybe the Brits would be speaking German or Russian today.

Wombat

RE: Aussie Meatbox

Hang on there, fellas – Ja is right.

I have seen the statement “Britain stood alone” on a number of occasions and it p****ed me off too. Australia declared war on Germany within 24 hours of Britain in September ’39. I don’t know how long it took Canada, New Zealand etc – perhaps other members can enlighten us. So what if we were “dominions and colonies” – our support was offered and given to Britain from day one. The contribution provided by those “dominions and colonies” was not insignificant. During the North African campaign, the Australian 8th Division wrote its own history which is acknowledged today as the Rats of Tobruk.

History has shown that Hitler really didn’t get as close to invading Britain as was thought at the time, and this had to be because of the combined efforts of the British Commonwealth military units. Certainly, Britain contributed the vast majority of the personnel in the three services, and almost all the aircraft and materiel. Australia contributed significantly in training, munitions, food, clothing, raw materials and the Royal Australian Navy provided significant support in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theatres, at least until early 1942, when our own problems became serious.

We should also recognise that, following the collapse of their own countries, many troops from Poland, Holland, Belgium and France were available to support Britain.

I accept that it is popular to depict Britain as “standing alone” as an island fortress, separated from the blackness of German dominated Europe by a narrow strip of water, but please don’t denigrate the contribution of many other nations to Britain’s defence during that time.

Regards

The Wombat

RE: Greetings

Maybe I should strike an “Old Farts” medallion or certificate. Or find myself one of those mickey little “what-not” some of you have beside your messages. Perhaps a gummy old bugger with no hair or teeth (teef?), bent back and quadruple walking sticks.

First I’ll find the photo, then all I have to do is learn how to attach it to my mail.

Regards

Wombat;)

RE: Greetings

Hi pal, and welcome to all forums.

Unfortunately, I gather from your mail that you won’t be eligible to join the Old Pharts/Farts Club for a while, but your time will come.

Sit back and enjoy the ride…

Regards

The Wombat