Mobile Technical Instruction for the Services
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Air Ministry Puts Into Operation a Commendable Plan Which Offers Unique Training Facilities I — OT
Certain R.AF. Personnel
PLACING fully equipped and staffed mobile workshops and lecture rooms at the disposal of Service units in this country and overseas is, to say the least of it, both a practical and invaluable way of imparting information. Such an idea has been initiated by the Directorate of Technical Training, Air Ministry, which, realizing the vast benefits obtained through the various training colleges operated in conjunction with manufacturers of aeroplane propellers and other classes of Service equipment, decided that the widely dispersed location of our forces called for something in the nature of mobile instruction units, so as to economize the. time required for such studies.
If, it was thought, workshops and lecture rooms 'could be taken to the men, not only would time be saved and a certain amount of travelling avoided, but, in addition, an even closer liaison between experts from the factories and actual users of their products would be established.
" Schools on wheels " were the obvious solution and eventually a number of vehicles was allocated to certain manufacturers, an initial fleet being sent to Rotol. Ltd., to be fitted out and adapted for this special purpose.
This Rea is divided into three groups (the interior equipment was installed by G. E. Wallis and Sons, Ltd„ Thanet House, 231, Strand, London, W.C.2) to enable practical as well as theoretical instruction to he dealt with on the following subjects:—
(a) All makes of wood aeroplane propeller blade and their repair and maintenance.
(b) All phases of operations and maintenance of • hydraulically operated propellers.
(c) Operation and repair of electric propellers. Instruction is given by one of the manufacturer's technical experts and an N.C.O. driver-instructor, who accompany each unit. The presence of this specialist from the producer not only ensures that knowledge of the latest modifications or improvements, either in design or methods of repair, is made known to the students, but, in addition, information can be furnished to the manufacturer as to the behaviour of its products under Service conditions.
To facilitate theoretical instruction there is seating accommodation for 16 students, eight of the seats being readily removable to give additional space for practical work. Each vehicle has an adequate system of ventilation, whilst, in the case of vehicles which cater for the repair of wood blades, air-conditioning is provided.
Special equipment for lectures includes talkie-film projectors, pictures being displayed on screens which, when not in use, fit into the roof of the vehicle without affecting the headroom. Synchrophones and, perhaps the most instructive of all, sectioned working models.of propellers are carried, which enable the functions performed by the various internal mechanisms to be seen in actual operation. Instructional diagrams, blackboards and other adjuncts of the lecture room form a further part of the equipment, which is in every way fully comprehensive. . Normally, these mobile: schools obtain the nccesSary electric current from the. local mains supply, by means of a 300-ft. cable carried on a rotating drum under the coach, so that the unit cen be parked in some secluded spot away from the noises invariably associated with an airfield. As however, mains supply is not always available, storage batteries arc included in each unit to enable instruction to continue in all circumstances.
The vehicles are completely equipped with t2ols and materials to deal with all types of •Rotol propeller.
In the wood-blade vans there are solid, workmanlike benches and ample storage space, filled with suitable types of woOd, plastic covering, cement. etc. There is sufficient room for men to work on blades of two partially dismantled propellers.
An overhead runway and lifting tackle are installed, the result being that not only can repairs be effectively dealt with by personnel undergoing instruction, but they are carried out on damaged propellers emanating from their own units. As the work is executed under the supervision of an expert technician, the results have proved to be admirable, efficient repairs being carried out at the station, thus obviating the need for the return of the damaged part to the factory.