010288 Accession Number: 010288

Description

HARD-HITTING BRISTOL BEAUFORT TORPEDO-BOMBERS NOW BEING BUILT IN AUSTRALIA WILL GIVE THE RAAF NEW POWER IN THE PACIFIC. THEIR WIDE OPERATIONAL RANGE AND EFFECTIVENESS IN ATTACKING NAVAL CRAFT MAKES THEM IDEAL WEAPONS AGAINST AN INVASION THREAT. SECTIONS OF THE MACHINES ARE MADE AT WIDELY SEPARATED FACTORIES AND ASSEMBLED IN CENTRAL PLANTS. EVERY PIECE OF METAL USED IN THE BEAUFORT IS STRINGENTLY TESTED. THESE WOMEN WORKERS ARE USING THE ROCKWELL HARDNESS TEST ON SHEET METAL. THE POINT OF THE MACHINE PRESSES ON THE METAL AND A SIMPLE READING OF THE DIAL GIVES THE RESULT. IF THE METAL IS TOO SOFT FOR USE, IT IS PLACED IN A NORMALISING BATH. BROUGHT TO A TEMPERATURE OF 490 DEGREES CENTIGRADE, THE METAL IS MADE SOFTER THAN WHEN PUT INTO THE BATH. WHEN REMOVED AND KEPT AT ORDINARY DAY TEMPERATURES THE METAL HARDENS 90% IN TWO HOURS AND ANOTHER 10% IN THE SUCCEEDING FIVE DAYS. THE TESTING MACHINES ARE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Details

Conflicts

• Second World War, 1939-1945

Tags

• Bristol Beaufort
• Women
• Aircraft production