ICE FORMATIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 34, 19 November 1943, Page 3

ICE FORMATIONS.

ELIMINATION FROM PLANES RELATIVELY SIMPLE DEVICE

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 16

By use of hot exhaust gases once wasted, engineers have conquered the problem of eliminating ice formations on tails and wings, long responsible for aviation disasters, stated Mr Tom M. Girdler, board chairman of the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation of San Diego, California. ». On the basis of an idea conceived and partly developed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics six years ago, detail work leading to the present perfected thermal antiicer was performed jointly by Convair engineers and Mr Lewis A. Rodert, N.A.C.A. senior engineer.

“It may now be disclosed that Catalina long-range patrol bombers have been in production several months with the new anti-icer installation,” Mr Girdler asserted. Bombers, four-engined seaplanes and twoengined craft will be in quantity production with these anti-icers by next winter, he predicted. Exhaust gases heat air by means of heat exchangers in the engine exhaust pipes, and the air is circulated through wings and tail surfaces with controlled initial temperatures ranging as high as 360 degrees F. Tbit air keeps the aluminium alloy leading edges at a temperature of 60 degrees F„ 28 above freezing, even when outside air temperature is 40 degrees below zero, Mr Girdler explained. A relatively simple device, it has functioned perfectly in the Far North, said Mr Girdler, who formerly held a. prominent position in London, England.