Systems Gallery

Alexandra Palace, the home of the B.B.C. The large transmitt

Alexandra Palace as the home of the B.B.C television service in 1936 showing the mast and transmitting aerials for vision and sound. Special tests of reception of the B.B.C from Alexandra Palace of synchronised television and speech were held at Olympia by a committee of the Radio Manufacturers Association. On alternate days transmissions from Alexandra Palace were given by Baird and Marconi E.M.I systems. In 1935 the B.B.C experimented with John Logie Baird's television system and Marconi's E.M.I system. The E.M.I succeeded Baird's in 1937

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Jonathan Wild

Engraving depicting Jonathan Wild in the cart. Jonathan Wild, (1682/83-1725), was a London underworld figure. He became a manipulator of legal systems, collecting the rewards offered for valuables which he had stolen himself, bribing prison guards to release his colleagues, and blackmailing any who crossed him. He was responsible for the arrest and execution of Jack Sheppard, a petty thief and burglar who had won the publics affection as a lovable rogue. However, Wilds duplicity became known, and his men began to give evidence against him. After a suicide attempt, he was hanged at Tyburn

© Mary Evans / Peter & Dawn Cope Collection Mary Evans / Peter & Dawn Cope Collection

Convair JC-131B O-53-7791

Convair JC-131B O-53-7791 (MSN 243), (the letter O denotes Obsolete), modified as JC-131B test-bed. Assigned to Aeronautical Systems Division, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in January 1971 and sed for zero gravity astronaut training, named Sine Gravitate. With windows removed and two Solar T41 APUs in underwing pylon-mounted pods, this JC-131B was the original Vomit Comet. Disposed of to MASDC (Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center) at Davis-Monthan Air Base in Arizona, sold and placed on the civil registry as N3782V. The registration was cancelled on 12 August 2003. Date: 1970s

© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans