Abstract: In an aircraft wheel and disc brake assembly wherein carbon rotor discs keyed to the wheel are interleaved with carbon stator discs keyed to a torque tube fixed to the axle and in which a fixed draught of air is passed through and around the disc pack, the consequential increase in oxidation of the carbon discs is obviated or minimized by the employment of heat shield members between the keys of the torque tube and the wheel rim which define passages for the flow of cooling air isolated from the disc pack. The keys of the torque tube may be hollow and may be formed with apertures whereby the interior communicates with the passages so that cooling air also passes through the interior of the torque tube keys.