Evening star., 1952-01-17

The A. v. Roe Shackleton yery-long-range,
anti-submarine patrol aircraft is in service with
Coastal Command and giving great satisfaction.
1t did extremely well in the recent exercises and
because Of its four-engine reliability, extensive
fadar gear and heavy armament, 1t is ideally
suited to counteract enemy use of long-range,
schnorkel-equipped submarines
Deliveries Of another noteworthy Avro aero
piane the Ashton four-je flying laboratory,
have been made to the Ministry of Supply and
again am able to say that full satisfaction Is
reported -.
The last of q most historic aircraft the
A. v, Roe Anson, will leave Manchester shortly
and I do not believe this review would be COM
plete unless We paid fitting tribute to this
really great aeroplane We, ourselves, will have
produced 1l,650 Ansons and many are still
giving yeoman service all over the world.
The first Of the Avro Canada CF.100 all
weather day and night fighters has been de-
hvered to the Royal Canadian Air Force and
production line is in being at Nation, Ontario.
The Armstrong Whitworth MIL the dead
LEST night fighter in operation to-day, is in
production at Coventry and is the backbone Of
Western European night-fighter defence. De-
Hveries have been made to the R.A.F. and are
also scheduled to countries of the North At
lantic Treaty Organisation. It is now doing
squadron duty with marked success and in the
recent exercises gave very good account OF
itself.
Because of rearnament requirements work
transports, the Avro Canada Jetliner and the
Armstrong Whitworth Apollo
AERO ENGINES
AS reported last year, Armstrong Siddeley
granted license to the Curtiss Wright Conn
pany of the United States to manufacture the
Sapphire in America. Armstrong Siddeley have
received substantial direct orders for both their
Sapphire and Double Mamba engines, and they
are now actively engaged in preparing their
existing premises at Coventry and cooperating
with our new Brockworth company at Huccle-
cote Tor this very large volume of production.
Apart from the new production aircraft In which
these sapphire and Double Mamba engines are
to be fitted there are new prototype aircraft in
which the Sapphire is or win be installed.
Despite this pressure of production work
Armstrong Siddeley are continuing the ex-
pansion OF their research and development
activities IN the aero-engine field. Their Jet
team is in the front rank and research and
still more research is, We think, the answer to
keeping that leadership. =.
During the year Armstrong Siddeley made
known its new Snarler rocket motor. This is
the first British product of its kind. Still an
other new engine taken off the secret list was
the Viper, which powers the Australian pilotless
aircraft
The Avro Canada brenda is also in produc-
ton and very substantial orders have been re-
celved from the Canadian Government. It will
be remembered that last year the brenda was
since flown hundreds of hours in several of
these aircraft. We are now at the stage where
we must build up quantity production. Our
new brenda factory in Canada is nearly ready
and we hope to be IN full occupation by the
middle of 1882
MOTOR CARS
Your motor car interests are being maintained
at Armstrong Siddeley to the fullest extent,
bearing In mind material rationing, and high
proportion of our production has been exported
Despite the increased difficulties that we are
experiencing in most Of our export markets and
despite the uncertainty of the future supply Of
materials, particularly Steel we are nevertheless
continuing development in our motor car activ-
tiles and when the time appears to be appro-
pirate we shall be ready with new models
DIESEL ENGINES
We have extended the range of the Armstrong
Siddeley diesel engine. These engines, which
are now widely distributed throughout the
world have established fine record Of re-
liability.
During the year, output-of which 86 per cent
was exported to 70 countries-has been very con-
siderably increased. Provided that we can get
the materials we hope to increase production
still further Our diesel order book now stands
ROCKETS, GUIDED WEAPONS
AND MISSILES
Work of far reaching importance continues at
an increasing pace on projects for the Govern
ment in the secret fields Of rockets, guided
weapons and missiles.
ALLOYS
Members will remember that for many wears
High Duty Alloys provided the majority Of the
aluminium forgings and castings used In the
petrol engines Of the Royal Air Force.
Intensive research and development Of manu-
featuring processes has resulted in High Duty
Alloys now being responsible for the production
OF large quantities Of compressor blades which
are essential and vital components of all
preSent-day types Of jet engines
Although many Of the commercial markets
which have been painstakingly built up since
1945 have regrettably had to be temporarily
abandoned. substantial additions to plant are
nevertheless being made which will, it is hoped,
succeed In making your company efficient not
only during rearmament, but afterwards.
HOUSES
Conditions connected with the supply of ma
terial and labour continue to- be difficult but
development In overseas markets for houses,
schools and hospitals Is being pursued energet-
ically by Hawksley, whose order book is already
full for 1852. As result of the latest technical
researches in this field of activity, there would
appear to be good prospects Of establishing q
permanent business when peacetime conditions
prevail. Our latest house, which is two-storey,
brick-clad, Semi-detached home, Is a very notable
advance.
AIR TRAINING
AL 0elflce A1aiiiis IeacneS It's 11St DItluay
this year, in June and as 1t comes of age it has
behind it record Of solid achievement in the
field OF flying and other aeronautical training.
The present expansion Of the Royal Air Force
has increased our commitments for Service
training and during the year we have established
unit for the training of direct entry Service
navigators at HANDLE Our school at Ansty has
been reopened for the training of direct entry
pilots.
During the year AS.T, opened colleges for the
Indian Air Force at Bangalore and the Royal
Pakistan Air Force at Karachi and Mauripur.
Both Of these overseas schools are doing very
well indeed.
The aircraft division Of Asst continues to
expand both In capacity and manpower. Major
components are being produced for both Gloster
Aircraft and the Ministry Of Supply. On the
experimental side the division Is fully employed
on project work in connection with the installa-
ton Of Jet engines in experimental aircraft