Notes

Abstract

THE question of closer co-ordination, between scientific research and practical design in aeronautics has been mentioned more than once in these columns, and it now appears that such co-ordination will be one of the good results following the reorganisation of the Air Board. The inclusion of two representatives of the Ministry of Munitions and of a technical director should ensure the full use of the available scientific data in the design, of machines, especially as the name of Dr. T. E. Stanton has been mentioned in connection with the latter appointment. As is well known, Dr. Stanton has been superintendent of the engineering and aeronautical departments of the National Physical Laboratory for many years, and is therefore in possession of all the necessary scientific knowledge in both the aerodynamical and purely engineering branches of the subject. The proposed housing of the various departments of the Board under one roof, and consequent free exchange of ideas between technical experts of both Services, should do much to advance the scientific design of machines. Another excellent feature of the reorganisation is the possibility of standardising component parts of machines and engines for both Services, and thereby improving the rapidity of construction. If we are to maintain our air supremacy, it is necessary that we should have an ample supply of machines of existing proved types, as well as that we should proceed to new designs, and the centralisation of supply and design should assure both these necessities in the future.