T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 108

Tojo. Brough. Clouds Hill Moreton Dorset 5. IV. 35 Dear G.B. Your two letters were sent on from Bridlington (I left the R.A.F. a month ago) and waited here for me, while I have been dodging about to avoid my enemies, the Press. This will now be my only and permanent address, I hope. About your fan. Our propeller experiments were all marine, and they showed how little was known yet, at the main screws(ed branch. As propellers (of the auction type) have been, I am sure, very little studied. Large diameter of course means noise, as do broad tips. Four blades are quieter than three and as efficient. You can sit an airplane pitch in to resist steptogess so long as the revs are not extravagant. But frankly I cannot help you. Our props had so different an intention. The water is as solid an element. Have you con- sidered Ethylene glycol for cooling? Or is the engine getting too hot for its oil? In the desert I ran a tiny condenser for our old Fords, and so boiled all day without using a pint of water, and with great thermal advantage. Later they doubled ... the Lead-making, increased the pump output, and carried on without boiling. Petrol consumption then increased. I have wondered of late how the new engine was shaping. You were going to make a new angle of inlet for the mixture. You are working on the timing gears? Please tell Mr J.A.P. for me that if I had his sized firm and couldn't get an aircooled twin right in 12 months, I'd six my test-bench and wash it down with my flow meter! Meanwhile I've only ridden the ancient-of-days twice this year. It goes like a bird, and seems as good as new. The year's is really, though. I came down here from Yorkshire push-bike in reality, though. I saw much of the E. of England oni- on it, and have toured much of the E. of England and in the last three weeks. It is delighted places and in calms or before winds, but in lanes, and shittered places a 20 ton-70 milesia day. Which is wholly delight...So quiet. one hears all the country noises. Cheap - very up to 60 or 70 milesia day, when is One I achieve, with sightsee and very clean on a wet road. The loss of my R.A.F. job halves my income, so that my