Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

within another. Soundhead and projector are in one unit. The screen frame is of metal tubing, in eight sections which permit folding. To provide for varying conditions in different localities, the equip- ment is provided with a series of lenses. The equipment has been transported over most of the Aus- tralian continent wuth negligible breakage. These mobile "vans" have become welcome and familiar sights to fighting men in even the most re- mote Australian camps and bases. Attendance is always high, and as many as 5,000 troops have been entertained at a single out-of-door screening. New RCA Projector Of particular interest among de- velopments in design and construc- tion which have been nurtured by wartime requirements is the new RCA 16mm. projector now being produced to meet revised govern- ment specifications. The new pro- jector, which is an adaptation of a commercial model, is shock-mount- ed on rubber in a tough plywood case. The ai-med forces specify that the projector must function properly after being dropped from a carry- ing position at a height of 18 inches onto a concrete floor. Dropped from this position it would strike on the bottom surface of the carrying case. During a recent demonstration for company officials at the RCA Victor plant in Camden, N. J., the projector was set up on a table standing three feet above the floor, and a length of film was shown. Then, with the reel arms folded in and the case closed, but with the projector's six tubes, three lamps, and photocell still in their sockets, the projector was shoved off the table, dropping three feet and sti'iking on a corner of the case. It was then set up again and an- other film was shown, demonstrat- ing that no damage had been suf- fered either by tubes or mechanical parts. The entire projector must also pass rigid tests assuring smooth, efficient operation under extremes of temperature, humidity, dust, and other factors of environment which may be encountered on the fighting fronts. Other innovations in projection design include an arrangement which facilitates removal of the amplifier unit for servicing, use of sijecial tube clamps to hold tubes firmly in place during transporta- tion, and incorporation of a rotary stabilizer, such as is used in stand- ard 35mm. Photophone theatre pro- jectors, to provide the smooth movement required for high fidelity reproduction of the sound track. AS ONE OF THE FINAL CHECKS GIVEN COMPLETED PROJECTION UNITS, THIS GIKL IN THE RCA VICTOR DIVISION PLANT AT INDIANAPOLIS GIVES THE MACHINE AN OPERATION TEST. FRANK R. DEAKINS HEADS CANADIAN FIRM FRANK R. DEAKINS, whose career parallels the develop- ment and expansion of the radio industry, has been named President of RCA Victor Company, Ltd., of Canada, subsidiary of the Radio Corporation of America. Mr. Deakins rejoins the Cana- dian company in which he held the position of execufive vice president from 1932 to 1934. He will direct the activities of more than 3,300 persons employed in the manufac- ture of radio and electronic equip- ment for the wartime needs of the Canadian government. The new president of Canadian RCA Victor is a native of Jasper, Tenn., and was graduated as an electrical engineer from Alabama Polytechnic Institute. Mr. Deakins first became asso- ciated with the radio industry when he was with the General Electric Comjiany. He rose to become the sales manager of the radio depart- ment. He joined RCA in 1930 as assistant to the president. He was made manager of RCA's Engineering Products Division in 1931 and the next year joined RCA Victor Limited of Canada as exec- utive vice president. He returned to RCA Victor, Camden, in 1934 to become manager of the special ap- paratus division. Since the entry of the United States into the World War, Mr. Deakins has been exec- utive assistant to the general manager. [28 RADIO AGE]