Description
Object description
British civilian machinist and draughtman worked for Vickers (Aviation) Ltd and Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd in GB, 1931-1945; worked with Research and Development Department at Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd and British Aircraft Corporation in GB, 1945-1969; served as special assistant to Sir George Edwards with British Aircraft Corporation in GB, 1969-1975
Content description
REEL 1 Background in West Byfleet, GB, 1916-1931: family; early interest in aviation; visits to Brooklands; education. Aspects of period in machine shop at Vickers (Aviation) Ltd, Brooklands, GB, 1931-1935: securing employment with company, 9/1931; wages; social activities; work in machine shop. Recollections of period as draughtsman with Vickers (Aviation) Ltd and Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd at Brooklands and Hersham, GB, 1935-1945: transfer to drawing office, 1935; first flight in aircraft; purchasing flights; reception from Rex Pierson; value of drawing office experience.
REEL 2 Continues: work shoring up workshops on outbreak of Second World War, 9/1939; character of foremen in workshop; attempt to join armed services during Second World War; character of geodetic aircraft; drawing work he did on Vickers Wellesley; work processes and his section; calculating structure of geodetic aircraft; manufacturing geodetic structure of Vickers Wellington; design of magnetic degaussing ring for Vickers Wellington, late 1939; manufacturing of degaussing ring; use of full size wooden model; move of design office to Burhill Golf Club.
REEL 3 Continues: membership of Home Guard; first introduction to jet propulsion; cancellation of high altitude experimental F 741 fighter; German bombing of Brooklands, 4/9/1940; Barnes Wallis' decision to design bombs; Barnes Wallis early experiments into bouncing bombs; work on experimental Upkeep Bouncing Bomb, 1943; further design work on Tall Boy and Grand Slam Bombs; character of experimental Vickers Windsor; work on Vickers Viking; reasons for removal of Barnes Wallis from main design organisation.
REEL 4 Continues: Recollections of period on research and development work with Vickers-Armstrong (Aircraft) Ltd and British Aircraft Corporation in GB, 1945-1969: work on stratosphere chamber during winter 1946-1947; testing activities for frozen conditions; experimental work with Vickers Wild Goose; funding for experimental work; work on experimental Green Lizard Missile, 1957; finishing research and development work and return to main drawing office, 1969; work on variable swept wing project; work on early development of Panavia Tornado; allocation to work to BAC 1-11 and Vickers VC10.
REEL 5 Continues: Aspects of period as special assistant to Sir George Edwards with British Aircraft Corporation, GB, 1969-1975: role as special assistant to Sir George Edwards; memories of Sir George Edwards; change of title to Corporate Planning Executive on Sir George Edwards retirement, 1975; own retirement, 1981. Reflections on period with Vickers (Aviation) Ltd, Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd and British Aircraft Corporation in GB, 1931-1975: atmosphere and discipline amongst work force at Weybridge; working hours and holidays; female workers; origins of management in Vickers (Aviation) Ltd.