DCA Monthly Circulars were instituted in September 1940 as a means of communicating information throughout the by now far-flung branches of the Department. The Monthly Circulars were continued until December 1950 when they were replaced by Administrative Instructions.

These indexes list noteworthy entries only - minor administrative matters are not listed.

Statistics
Licences and certificates in force as at 31 Dec 1941

The Road to Victory
An open letter to the people of Australia from the Prime Minister Hon John Curtin M.P.

Camouflage - Cont’d from December issue
Detailed explanation of how the visibility of Aerodromes and their attendant structures may be reduced. For example: Detection range reduced from 30 miles plus to around 10 miles

Daylight Saving Time
Introduction of Daylight Saving time to Australia

Empire Flying Boat Service
Commonwealth Government assumes control of all bookings of outward passengers and freight, to ensure maximum efficient use of available space

Circular No.8 February 1942

Economy - Rope, String etc
Shortage of fibre requires hoarding and re-use of all types of Rope cordage, string etc.

Air Raid Precautions
Provision of shelters and protection of personnel and buildings at Aerodromes and Flying Boat Bases.

Pan American Airways Expansion
Pan Am expands route structure in West Indies, South America, Africa and trans Pacific.

New Aircraft Fabric attachment Method
Bell system using thin retainer strips and extrusions in the rib construction.

Explosive Rivets
Du Pont system, which greatly enhances productivity in Aircraft construction. Enables riveting of metal skins to be completed from one side of the sheet.

Notes on the Lead Acid Accumulator and its Maintenance
Detailed notes on the theory of operation and charging of Lead Acid Accumulators.

Circular No.19 March 1942

Duty - A.B. Corbett
Exhortation to staff to meet the challenge posed by the times.

Accidents and Forced Landings
Actions to be taken by Departmental Staff.

Synthetic Resins as Aircraft Construction Materials
Suitability and advantages of Resins.

U.S. Army Wind Tunnel
Description of new facility.

Sandbagging
Detailed explanation of advantages, disadvantages and use and maintenance.

Circular No.20 April 1942

Service - A.B. Corbett
Contempt for the selfishness and idleness shown by some Australians. The changing situation after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour and advance southwards towards Australia. The devotion to duty shown by staff during the bombing of Darwin and the evacuation of population from affected areas.

National Emergency - Duties of Civil Aviation Staff
Training of staff in civil defence duties and first aid. Instructions in the event of invasion of Australia.

Supply and use of Stirrup Pumps
Establishment, suppliers nationwide and instructions for the use of.

Metamorphosis of a Douglas - J.L.Watkins Senior Aeronautical Engineer
Service history of Douglas DC2 Ser No.1292 that started life as a commercial transport aircraft with Eastern Airlines in the USA completing 16000 hours in this role. It was freighted to Australia during the war and was converted to a military transport. Detailed description of the engineering exercise at Essendon.

The Boeing Flying Fortress
Description of this type newly arrived in Australia.

Disposal of unexploded munitions
Instructions to Officers in charge as to types of ordnance, reporting, and procedures to be followed.

Circular No.21 May 1942

Proclaimed Defence Areas
Lands surrounding principal civil Aerodromes proclaimed defence areas. Responsibility of senior departmental officer to ensure relevant regulations are followed.

High speed Oil engines
Description of the Diesel engine and principle of operation.

Evacuation of Population of Mainland of New Guinea
The Administrator issues instructions for the evacuation of white women and children. Interesting story of the evacuation by air from outstations to Port Moresby and later by air and foot of white Males and Chinese as the Japanese attacked. Subsequent Evacuation to Australia.

Producer Gas - Use of Wheat as fuel
Superiority of Wheat over charcoal in automotive gas units, better pulling power and cleaner operation.

Consolidated Aircraft Liberator B24
Aircraft description and mention of record flight - African Gold Coast to Brazil (3400 miles in 13 hrs 45 mins)

Circular No.22 June 1942

Factors influencing the selection of an Airport site
Description of the many Civil, operational, support and environmental factors involved including, importantly, allowance for expansion.

The Heart of a Diesel
Factors affecting the in-service performance of a diesel engine.

The Lockheed Lightning - P38
Aircraft description

Clipper Flight
Completion of the first circumnavigation of the globe by an air transport aircraft. Pan Am Boeing Clipper flew 31,500 miles westward from San Francisco to La Guardia Atlantic Terminal.

Circular No.23 July 1942

Aircraft Metals - old and new - Prof N.F. Ward
How the evolution of metals technology has affected the design and performance of aero engines.

Tables
· Ansett Airways Services
· Fares and Freight - Qantas Sydney-Darwin Flying Boat Service
· Aircraft Landing facilities in Australia
· Australian Regular Air Transport Services

Darwin N.T.
Description of the first bombing of Darwin

Bell Aircobra - Description

Circular No.24 August 1942

Growing our own Rubber
Alternative methods of growing rubber, pioneered overseas.

Steam Power Plants for Aircraft
Possibility of central steam generating plant in an aircraft driving turbine engines in the wing!!

Largest Flying Boat in the World
Description of the Martin Mars.

Martin Marauder
Description

Melbourne Townsville Air service
Travelling Townsville - Melbourne in one day 0630 - 2100

Yesterday - Today and Tomorrow
Aeradio service on the Brisbane Singapore route in 1934, with later improvements.

Civil Aviation Aeradio helps in Battle
Aeradio station hears distress call and initiates rescue.

Portable Runways
Development of portable steel runways in USA and Australia.

Circular No.25 September 1942

Entry of civilians into Military Areas
Control of movement of Departmental Officers to Alice Springs and points North.

Aerodromes – Investigation of Soil Conditions
A detailed explanation of the influence of soil condition on the planning and development of an Aerodrome.

Underground Factories – Manufacture of aircraft engines and components
Description of the establishment of underground facilities in the UK.

New French Flying Boat
Description of the Potez 161

Curtiss P40 Fighters
Aircraft type description.

Circular No.26 October 1942

A National Appeal
Encouragement for Departmental Officers to join the War Savings Group.

The Aircraft of the Future
Projection of the development of very large flying boats, after the war – Glen L Martin

Douglas A20 (Boston) Aircraft
Type description.

Flight strips for emergency landing grounds
Use of Marston matting to construct landing strips.

Circular No.27 November 1942

Aerodromes – Drainage system design
The need for drainage and the considerations involved in the design of a system.

BMW 801 Aero engine
Engine description, it powers the Focke Wulf 190.

PAA and AEA start New York – Eire services
Route New York – Foynes resumed may 1942. Transport of refugees out of combat zones in the Far East.

Circular No.28 December 1942

An important message - John Curtin Prime Minister
Invest in the War and Austerity Loan

The ubiquitous Spitfire
Type description.

Index compiled by Brian Surtees, CAHS

Click here for the index of DCA Monthly Circulars for 1941, 1943

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