FIRST AERIAL BEACON

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19134, 1 October 1936, Page 6

FIRST AERIAL BEACON

ERECTION IN HAMILTON

REMARKABLE EFFICIENCY

(Per Press Association.) HAMILTON, this day

Through the enterprise of -Mr. 11. D. Caro, deputy-Mavor of Hamilton, the first, aerial beacon imported into New Zealand is in course of erection in Hamilton.

Possessing a power of 3,0C0,0C0 candlepower, tin 1 light will be visible to airera ft living at 2GCOft. at a distance of 25 miles in any direction. It has intricate mechanism revolving the lamp three, times a. minute.

The. beacon which is erected in a si eelwelded tower Ttll’t. above the ground, possesses dual lamps, and an ingenious automatic device provides a 100 per cent- safety factor. Should one lam]) he blown out, the voltage is, slightly raised and heats a strip of metal which expands and swing a second emergency lamp of 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 tho serviceman that the beacon is operating on the second lamp. Tlie beacon was designed and constructed by an American firm, and is the first, of a chain to he erected throughout New Zealand by the British Neon Corporation. Tho expenses are stated to be borne by private, firms and individuals, but. later it is anticipated that they will he chartered by the Government. The beacons are of the. standard type employed throughout the American trans-ton-tinental airways.