DCA Monthly
Circulars were instituted in September 1940 as a means of communicating
information throughout the by now far-flung branches of the Department.
The Monthly Circulars were continued until December 1950 when they
were replaced by Administrative Instructions.
These
indexes list noteworthy entries only - minor administrative matters are
not listed.
Circular No.17 January 1942
Statistics
Licences and certificates in force as at 31 Dec 1941
The
Road to Victory
An open letter to the people of Australia from the Prime Minister Hon
John Curtin M.P.
Camouflage
- Contd from December issue
Detailed explanation of how the visibility of Aerodromes and their attendant
structures may be reduced. For example: Detection range reduced from 30
miles plus to around 10 miles
Daylight
Saving Time
Introduction of Daylight Saving time to Australia
Empire
Flying Boat Service
Commonwealth Government assumes control of all bookings of outward passengers
and freight, to ensure maximum efficient use of available space
Circular No.8 February 1942
Economy
- Rope, String etc
Shortage of fibre requires hoarding and re-use of all types of Rope cordage,
string etc.
Air
Raid Precautions
Provision of shelters and protection of personnel and buildings at Aerodromes
and Flying Boat Bases.
Pan
American Airways Expansion
Pan Am expands route structure in West Indies, South America, Africa and
trans Pacific.
New
Aircraft Fabric attachment Method
Bell system using thin retainer strips and extrusions in the rib construction.
Explosive
Rivets
Du Pont system, which greatly enhances productivity in Aircraft construction.
Enables riveting of metal skins to be completed from one side of the sheet.
Notes
on the Lead Acid Accumulator and its Maintenance
Detailed notes on the theory of operation and charging of Lead Acid Accumulators.
Circular No.19 March 1942
Duty
- A.B. Corbett
Exhortation to staff to meet the challenge posed by the times.
Accidents
and Forced Landings
Actions to be taken by Departmental Staff.
Synthetic
Resins as Aircraft Construction Materials
Suitability and advantages of Resins.
U.S.
Army Wind Tunnel
Description of new facility.
Sandbagging
Detailed explanation of advantages, disadvantages and use and maintenance.
Circular No.20 April 1942
Service
- A.B. Corbett
Contempt for the selfishness and idleness shown by some Australians. The
changing situation after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour and advance
southwards towards Australia. The devotion to duty shown by staff during
the bombing of Darwin and the evacuation of population from affected areas.
National
Emergency - Duties of Civil Aviation Staff
Training of staff in civil defence duties and first aid. Instructions
in the event of invasion of Australia.
Supply
and use of Stirrup Pumps
Establishment, suppliers nationwide and instructions for the use of.
Metamorphosis
of a Douglas - J.L.Watkins Senior Aeronautical Engineer
Service history of Douglas DC2 Ser No.1292 that started life as a commercial
transport aircraft with Eastern Airlines in the USA completing 16000 hours
in this role. It was freighted to Australia during the war and was converted
to a military transport. Detailed description of the engineering exercise
at Essendon.
The
Boeing Flying Fortress
Description of this type newly arrived in Australia.
Disposal
of unexploded munitions
Instructions to Officers in charge as to types of ordnance, reporting,
and procedures to be followed.
Circular No.21 May 1942
Proclaimed
Defence Areas
Lands surrounding principal civil Aerodromes proclaimed defence areas.
Responsibility of senior departmental officer to ensure relevant regulations
are followed.
High
speed Oil engines
Description of the Diesel engine and principle of operation.
Evacuation
of Population of Mainland of New Guinea
The Administrator issues instructions for the evacuation of white women
and children. Interesting story of the evacuation by air from outstations
to Port Moresby and later by air and foot of white Males and Chinese as
the Japanese attacked. Subsequent Evacuation to Australia.
Producer
Gas - Use of Wheat as fuel
Superiority of Wheat over charcoal in automotive gas units, better pulling
power and cleaner operation.
Consolidated
Aircraft Liberator B24
Aircraft description and mention of record flight - African Gold Coast
to Brazil (3400 miles in 13 hrs 45 mins)
Circular No.22 June 1942
Factors
influencing the selection of an Airport site
Description of the many Civil, operational, support and environmental
factors involved including, importantly, allowance for expansion.
The
Heart of a Diesel
Factors affecting the in-service performance of a diesel engine.
The
Lockheed Lightning - P38
Aircraft description
Clipper Flight
Completion of the first circumnavigation of the globe by an air transport
aircraft. Pan Am Boeing Clipper flew 31,500 miles westward from San Francisco
to La Guardia Atlantic Terminal.
Circular No.23 July 1942
Aircraft
Metals - old and new - Prof N.F. Ward
How the evolution of metals technology has affected the design and performance
of aero engines.
Tables
· Ansett Airways Services
· Fares and Freight - Qantas Sydney-Darwin Flying Boat Service
· Aircraft Landing facilities in Australia
· Australian Regular Air Transport Services
Darwin
N.T.
Description of the first bombing of Darwin
Bell
Aircobra - Description
Circular No.24 August 1942
Growing
our own Rubber
Alternative methods of growing rubber, pioneered overseas.
Steam
Power Plants for Aircraft
Possibility of central steam generating plant in an aircraft driving turbine
engines in the wing!!
Largest
Flying Boat in the World
Description of the Martin Mars.
Martin
Marauder
Description
Melbourne
Townsville Air service
Travelling Townsville - Melbourne in one day 0630 - 2100
Yesterday
- Today and Tomorrow
Aeradio service on the Brisbane Singapore route in 1934, with later improvements.
Civil
Aviation Aeradio helps in Battle
Aeradio station hears distress call and initiates rescue.
Portable
Runways
Development of portable steel runways in USA and Australia.
Circular No.25 September 1942
Entry
of civilians into Military Areas
Control of movement of Departmental Officers to Alice Springs and points
North.
Aerodromes
Investigation of Soil Conditions
A detailed explanation of the influence of soil condition on the planning
and development of an Aerodrome.
Underground
Factories Manufacture of aircraft engines and components
Description of the establishment of underground facilities in the UK.
New
French Flying Boat
Description of the Potez 161
Curtiss
P40 Fighters
Aircraft type description.
Circular No.26 October 1942
A
National Appeal
Encouragement for Departmental Officers to join the War Savings Group.
The
Aircraft of the Future
Projection of the development of very large flying boats, after the war
Glen L Martin
Douglas
A20 (Boston) Aircraft
Type description.
Flight
strips for emergency landing grounds
Use of Marston matting to construct landing strips.
Circular No.27 November 1942
Aerodromes
Drainage system design
The need for drainage and the considerations involved in the design of
a system.
BMW
801 Aero engine
Engine description, it powers the Focke Wulf 190.
PAA
and AEA start New York Eire services
Route New York Foynes resumed may 1942. Transport of refugees out
of combat zones in the Far East.
Circular No.28 December 1942
An
important message - John Curtin Prime Minister
Invest in the War and Austerity Loan
The
ubiquitous Spitfire
Type description.
Index compiled
by Brian Surtees, CAHS
Click here
for the index of DCA Monthly Circulars for 1941,
1943
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