1970

1970’s

Tides were turning in the 1970s. Following the previous decades’ aerospace boom then came a period of recession, therefore the ‘Star Wars’ era saw the termination of various older projects but also the introduction of exciting new technologies.

The discontinuation of the Windak electric blanket, a product that was insofar considered one of BWT’s most popular – perhaps even iconic – marked the end of an era for our company. However, in line with the technological advances that were taking place during the time, BWT further developed its range of aircraft technologies.

Much of the work was spearheaded by Arthur Dudley who developed and perfected the following technologies:

• The introduction of side-wall ducting. It consisted of shaped sections of compressed fibreglass, with appropriate fixing holes in the sides instead of the fibreglass packages that were normally used for insulation. This type of ducting was so effective that, decades later, when certain fleets who had used it were uncovered during refurbishment, they found that the ducting was in excellent condition.

• Fibre glass canopies were made to fit in the cockpit roof of all the Trident aircraft. The mouldings were extremely intricate in order to ensure a good fit into the ribbed metalwork of the plane and leave sufficient space for essential gear – but BWT managed to do it.

• A light-weight tubing called Punka louvre ducting. This new type of ducting was used to carry cold air along each side of an aircraft to outlets above each passenger’s seat. The tubing was made from glass cloth coated with a sealing fluid, either brushed or sprayed on the tubing, to give it rigidity.