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WHILE articles have appeared in the technical press from time to time, dealing with the altitude control purely from a design point of view, very little has been written in relation to the construction, testing, and correct method of operation of this important unit, and it is doubtful if many of the present day pilots, mechanics or engine testers have an intimate knowledge of what actually takes place inside the carburettor, when the altitude control is in operation.

THE first essential in the design of an efficient exhaust system is that the exhaust gases should be carried away from the engine and clear of the aircraft without undue increase in exhaust back pressure. A further consideration of equal importance is the elimination of noise.

SUPERCHARGED aero engines are more or less a post‐war invasion into the practical side of aero‐engine design. The problem of power boosting for internal combustion engines, especially aero engines, has for several years engaged the attention of engine designers, with the result that to‐day quite a number of engines are produced with superchargers as an integral part of the standard equipment. Various types of superchargers have been tried, such as the reciprocating pump, Roots Blower, exhaust‐driven turbo compressor, and the gear‐driven centrifugal form of blower. The last‐named is the type most commonly used in this country at the present time.

THE issue of AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING for October, 1931, contained descriptions of the Rolls‐Royce racing engine and the Schneider Trophy seaplane.

THE problems attached to the installa‐tion of modern high duty aero engines are rapidly becoming more difficult. Almost every aero‐engine firm has its own installation department consisting of highly skilled technologists who are in continual co‐operation with the aircraft builders during the design and initial engine installation stages of new type aeroplane. Only by the closest liaison between the engine and the aeroplane manufacturers during the early stages of design can maximum efficiency and successful results be expected from their products.

THIS issue of AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING might without excess of exaggeration almost be described as a special number for inspectors and ground engineers—for, indeed, that elusive individual, to whom we have on occasion referred before, the “practical man.”

THERE have been many articles published from time to time referring to the Official Air Ministry data for the conversion of observed test bench powers and boost of supercharged engines to corrected powers and boosts at altitude.

THE article published in this issue on the installing and installation‐testing of the Rolls‐Royce “R” engine fitted in the Supermarine S.6 B. seaplane, which made the Schneider Trophy the permanent property of Great Britain and also set up a new world's speed record, is of far more than mere historical interest.

THE Gloster Aircraft Company was established in 1915 as a branch of the well‐known firm of II. H. Martyn & Co., Ltd., architectural decorators. At first the aircraft business was carried on at the latter firm's works in Cheltenham, but a few year ago it was transferred to Brockworth, where there is a fine aerodrome and an extensive range of hangars built during the war period.

Edward G. Herbert, Ltd., of Atlas Works, Levenshulme, Manchester, have recently added to their range of sawing machines the “Rapidor Minor” with a capacity of 3 in. by 3 in. This machine can be bolted to the fitter's bench to save time in sawing up small stock by hand, or it can be supplied with a cast iron base for tool room or repair‐shop use.