Leslie SuperTyfon: the Sole Chime Horn Provider - Part 1
The SuperTyfon series of the Leslie's horn overshadowed the rapport of the Tyfon models in the horn business. With the added convenience in its maintenance, the parts of the SuperTyfons are compatible to all models of the same series most especially its power chambers. This design is conveniently far beyond the AirChime M series. Bolts were used to attach and secure the back cap and the diaphragm in place instead of screws used in a Tyfon-modelled horn.
The year 1951 marked the launching of the SuperTyfon series S3J and S5D in the commercial market. The chords of A-major and A-major 7th were produced respectively by these two models-the same sounds blown by the present M3 and M5 horns of AirChime. In no time after the first models were introduced, Leslie added the product line with S3E and S5A. In just two years after making of the SuperTyfon series in dominance, Leslie's design was modified and innovated for good. The S3L and S5T are their newest creation that plunges the early SuperTyfons out of the streamline.
That only initiated the advent of other products under the SuperTyfon and continued to grow in the number of their product lines. However, the first four models have not come back in the market. Since the SuperTyfon horns were introduced in 1950s, railroads made these sorts of horns as the dominant sound in the railroads. Unfortunately, the previous years became the trough of the SuperTyfon train horns in the railroad industry. But despite of it, Leslie Controls Inc. still managed to make the products available in commerce.
In the past years, the design of the power chambers has been the focus on the improvements of the SuperTyfon series. The use of cast bronze as material in the power chamber started in 1951. Initially, it has two-pieced diaphragms composed of one stainless steel ring and a disk. A spreader plate is used together with the back cap and they are riveted. The former acted as a second disk making the back cap looks like a dome. There are six tabs scattered in the circumference used in joining the back cap with the entire power chamber through the use of bolts. "Tab-back" power chamber is the term coined on this type of power chamber design.
