Member postings for Greensands

I have often wondered if the Leader and for that matter the H1 Class Hartland Point would have stood a greater chance of success if the oscillating gear had not been fitted at the the start of the project but held back to be installed once the initial teething problems had been overcome. Indications were I believe that once the gear had been removed somewhat late in the day both engines became more reliable. I think it was Harry Ricardo's idea to install the oscillating feature for what seemed good reasons at the time but at the cost of unnecessary complications. Do hope a copy of the film showing the gear in action can be found and put back on YouTube

To resurrect an old posting I notice that Kevin Robertson' book on the Leader project refers to the action of the oscillating gear in action as resembling that of a figure of eight. Was this action ever filmed and if so is the film still available for viewing? Have not had any success when trying to Google the subject.

I need to make some external soldered connections onto an Arduino UNO compatible shield. I have a stock of so called "bell" wire from days gone by but am finding that this is far too chunky for this type of interconnection. What would be the recommend type and wire size for Arduino work and is a stranded construction to be preferred to a single wire type?

Problem now sorted. Angle bar now inverted with flats milled on the apex at three different spacings for 1/4" dia clamping screws and have now achieved the 90 degree bend. Thanks to all those who offered help and assistance.

The angle plate is currently serving as both a holding down clamp and backing plate held in position by two 1/4 dia socket screws permitting a 12" maximum sheet width. I rather like the idea of retaining the angle as the means of clamping and to then consider machining an angle on the front face. Problem is just how to go about milling the angle. Current thoughts are to use two milling table vices which permits holding long lengths but just how to set up the angle is the problem.

Hi - Can anyone offer advice/assistance on just how to achieve a 90 degree bend in sheet stock. The photos illustrate my (home made) bending machine at work and the results obtained when attempting to achieve a 90 degree bend in 1.5mm aluminium sheet. As I see it the bending arms need to move through 90 plus degrees in order to to end up with the required 90 degree angle but I am not sure what modifications are required to the bending gear to achieve the desired effect.

Oven Man/Duncan - I think the physical size and current handling capacity of the units suggested are a bit OTT for the given application. I checked the Dims and was surprised to see just how big and 'meaty' in both senses they actually are.

In their place I have opted for the miniature version having the same Mom On-Off-On action, smaller current rating and fitting ia 6mm panel hole. Costs in each case are very reasonable.

Many thanks for all the help provided

Have just checked out CPC for the SPDT switch Type 1818.1302 manufactured by Marquardt but they are only taking back orders. There seems to be a world wide shortage for this and many other items due to Covid issues.

Yes, that looks just the ticket. Many thanks for the link

I am currently having problems in sourcing a couple of Mom (On) Off (On) rocker switches required for the Arduino stepper motor project. Only available items appear to be located in the US. Is anyone aware of a possible UK source?

I have been following with interest the recent articles in the ME on the LMS turbine locomotive No.6202 and would like to find out more about her but have not had much success in gleaning any further information. Surprisingly R.C. Bond's autobiography "A Lifetime with Locomotives" has very little to say about the engine. I am aware of the paper written by R.C Bond published by the J. Inst. of Loco Engineers (1946) but enquiries indicate that a hard copy would cost around £18 which is rather more than I would wish to pay for what is a casual interest. Is anyone aware of other possible sources of more general information?

What surprises me is that there is no obvious warning to the user of not running the risk of shorting out across the two supporting columns. Atfer all. steel rules and paper clips etc in various guises are in common use on a typical work desk and what could be the consequences of a short.circuit.

I have an example of the German made halogen desk lamp illustrated above marketed by Mascot Lighting Model No.M668 but cannot make out how the 12V 20W power cable is routed to the bulb unit, the mains transformer being located in the base. Can anyone enlighten me

Journeyman - I have sent you a PM

I have just acquired a copy of MEW 249 to read up about the Arduino controlled indexer but am having problems in seeing exactly how the Uno Board is spaced off and attached to the lid of the enclosure. Could some kind soul please elucidate.

According to the account given in "To Ride the Storm", (Page 199) in April 1930 Dr Eckener, design genius behind the success of the Graf Zeppelin arrived back in the UK (by sea) from the US after seeking to negotiate a supply of helium gas for future German airships. The following day after a dining with leading protagonists of airship design in Britain the Graf Zeppelin landed at Cardington to pick him up and return to Friedrichshafen. This would suggest that he at least would have been aware of any problems associated a change from hydrogen to helium as the lifting medium.

For those who have enjoyed reading Nevil Shute's account I can equally recommended the book written by Peter Masefield "To Ride the Storm" which first prompted my interest in the whole affair. Published in 1982, ISBN 0-7183-0068-8 it gives a very detailed account of the disaster and presents a very even handed view of what actually took place between the two design teams. It may also surprise some to hear that whereas the baggage allowance for the majority of the unfortunate passengers on the fatal flight was 28lbs, that for Lord Thomson, S of S for Air was given as 254lbs including 2 cases of champagne (52lbs) and incredibly, a last minute decision to take a roll of carpet at 129lbs!

........................ and there is certainly evidence of incompetent design in the R 101.....................

Is it possible to elaborate on this evidence?

No, both ships were filled with hydrogen but R101 was powered by compression/ignition oil engines (diesel) to minimise the flammability risks when travelling to India. R100 was powered by RR Condor petrol engines and for that reason was destined for the North Atlantic route as opposed to the India and beyond. Long term plans included running R100 on a diesel version of the RR Condor engines

I have become absorbed in my latest Oxfam book "To Ride the Storm" by Sir Peter Masefield (Pub 1982), giving a detailed and very readable account of the R101 airship and her companion, the Vickers built R100. Many years ago I read Nevil Shute's book "Slide Rule" again a very readable book but with a distinct bias in favour of the R100 and highly critical of the failings of the R101 despite the fact that they both shared many weak design features such as inadequate lift and totally inadequate design and manufacture of gasbags and outer covering. From my reading I have come to the opinion that despite her fatal maiden voyage the R101 was the better ship. I wonder if others might share this opinion.