AERIAL BEACON

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21903, 2 October 1936, Page 18

AERIAL BEACON

JFIRST m NEW ZEALAND j[f BEING ERECTED ENTERPRISE OF HAMILTON’S DEPUTY-MAYOR fiauua AMocuraos tsleoiumO HAMILTON, October 1 • Through the' enterprise of Mr H. D. Caro, Deputy-Mayor at Hamilton, the first aerial beacon imported to New Zealand is being erected at Hamilton. Of 3,000,000 candle-power, the light Will be visible to aircraft flying at 2000 feet for a distance of 25 miles in any direction. The lamp revolves three times a minute. The beacon, which is erected on a steel welded tower 70 feet above the Sound, possesses dual lamps, and an genious automatic device provides a 100: per cent., safety factor. Should one lamp be blown out, the voltage is slightly raised,, and heats a strip of metal which expands and swings the second emergency lamp gf a similar type into position inside the projector, and within a few seconds; the lamp is again functioning normally. At the same time a circuit is established to a red signal lamp, which lights to reveal to the serviceman that the beacon ts operating oh the second lamp. The beacon, which was designed and constructed by an American firm, is the'first of a chain to be erected throughout New Zealand. The expenses, it is stated, are to be borne by private firms and individuals: but later, it is anticiapted, the beacons will be taken over by the Government,' The beacons are of a standard ,type employed throughout the American transcontinental airways.