Derek William Alford 1904

Nationality:
British

Derek Alford worked at Ferranti International plc’s Bracknell site in the Aircraft Equipment Department, later known as Ferranti Instrumentation, from 1958-1991. In 1963, he transferred onto a Private Venture funded development project led by J W Barnes, which sought to develop an experimental or research version of the oscillogyro invented at RAE Farnborough by J Philpott and J Mitchell. Mr Alford’s direct involvement in the project ended in 1969, but he was retained as a consultant. He retired from Ferranti International plc in 1991.

Related Documents

Black and white photographic print annotated on the reverse: "A Ferranti, Edinburgh, Gyro & Accelerometer Inner Gimbal Cluster for an Inertial Navigation System. This one is for 3 Rate Integration Floatation Gyros to detect motion about 3 axes, plus 2 Accelerometers. The Bracknell designed Experimental Oscillogyros were the same size as the Flotation Gyros."

Ferranti Ltd Edinburgh Film Unit and Photographic Dept negative 2444E
Black and white photographic print annotated on the reverse: "A ferranti Edinburgh Gimbal Cluster to isolate the Accelerometer & Gyro Inner Gimbal Assembly from motion of the aircraft in an Inertial Navigation System."

Ferranti Ltd Edinburgh Film Unit and Photographic Dept negative 2444B
Series of black and white photographic prints, ten taken by the photographer Ron Francis on behalf of Ferranti Ltd and two by the Ferranti Ltd Edinburgh Film Unit and Photographic Dept.

Photographic prints documenting the development of the Oscillogyro
The folder contains correspondence between D W Alford and colleagues at Ferranti Aircraft Equipment Department, Bracknell, relating to the continued development of six prototype oscillogyros, reports from Ferranti Defence Systems Ltd, Edinburgh, relating to the BAIN contract and further testing of six first stage prototype oscillogyros. D W Alford provided support as a consultant on the project from 1 March 1969. D W Alford has written explanatory notes to the folder on its front cover.

File of post-handover correspondence
Collection of papers compiled by D W Alford relating to the development of an oscillogyro at the Ferranti Aircraft Equipment Department, Bracknell and later Ferranti Defence Systems Ltd, Edinburgh, comprised of reports, papers given at AGARD and IMechE conferences, papers relating to the development of the oscillogyro in three phases, papers compiled by D W Alford as a consultant on the continued development of the oscillogyro in Bracknell and Edinburgh, papers relating to the history of the oscillogyro, and photographs showing the development and testing of the oscillogyro.

Collection of papers relating to the development of the Ferranti oscillogyro
Publication reference AELB383. Final Report for contract KM/3C/2371/CB21D.

Oscillogyro by D W Alford
Day Books and files compiled by D W Alford during the private venture funded research project to develop the first working oscillogyro, known as the Research Oscillogyro and the Pre-Experimental Oscillogyro.

Papers relating to the Ferranti Private Venture Research and the first working oscillogyro
The volume contains papers on the conference theme of Inertial Navigation Systems and Components.

AGARD Conference Proceedings No 43
The file contains a print of the photograph used as Figure 2 in AELB267 (Ron Francis photographic studio negative reference 5073), a two-page description of the First Working Oscillogyro and the Experimental Oscillogyro written by D W Alford to accompany the display of the First Working Oscillogyro at the IMechE Conference in Newcastle, and the interpretation label for the displayed First Working Oscillogyro. Duplicate photocopies of the photographic print and the two-page description have been removed from the collection. Removed from an envelope labelled "The First Working Oscillogyro".

Reference papers relating to the First Working Oscillogyro or Research Gyro developed by J W Barnes
Black and white photographic print annotated on the reverse: "Original Experimental Oscillogyro Symetrical Beam and Twin Elastic Hinge Design, that was found to be susceptible to hairline cracks on assembly when tested. This is the first trial assembly incorporating machined plastic parts to prove the basic design and enable some testing to start whilst waiting for long lead special ceramic seals, beam plates and other parts to be delivered from specialist suppliers."

Ron Francis Photographic Studio negative 6170/B
Series of documents compiled by D W Alford while continuing his involvement in the development of the oscillogyro as a consultant.

Other related documents to the Oscillogyro Development

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