A New Tyre, Brake and Undercarriage Testing Machine: Particulars of the Test Rig Designed and Built in Australia for the Testing of Individual Components or Complete Units within a Static Wheel load of 2,500–50,000 lb. and with a Maximum Overall Height of 10 feet

DURING the war the young aircraft industry in Australia made great strides. Design and development of new types of aircraft were undertaken and a need was soon felt for an undercarriage testing machine. A small drop tester was built by one of the firms for the undercarriages of small aircraft and a larger one was under construction by the Government when, towards the beginning of 1944, serious operational difficulties were experienced in the South Pacific area due to the short life of the tyres of medium and heavy bombers, complete failure occurring in as few as five or six take‐offs and landings. Thus to the need for an undercarriage tester was added the need for proper facilities for developmental and type testing of tyres and wheel brakes.