50 years ago: 10 FEB 1956

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12:00 7 Feb 2006

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Flight 10.2.1956

The Balloon War

The latest allegation in the “balloon cold war” is a claim by the East German 50 years tn

Government that big balloons carrying up to a ton of “complicated technical equipment” – aerial cameras and radio transmitters – have been found in East Germany. Stating that the balloons were of U.S. manufacture, the Government Press Office said they constituted a serious danger to air traffic.

Ice-cream Waver

At Barnet last week a fine of £20 was imposed upon the pilot of a light aircraft, who had been summonsed for flying over Potters Bar under 1,000ft and flying without a licence. It was said in evidence that the defendant, a former ice-cream salesman, flew low in order to wave to the driver of an ice-cream van.

Brabazon Remembers

One of the most intimate and exclusive events in the aeronautical calendar is the reunion dinner of the Avro 504 Club, convened this year at Londonderry House on January 27th. Principal guests this year were Lord Brabazon and Avro’s young energetic manager, J. A. R. Kay. Lord Brabazon spoke in the warmest terms of Sir Alliott’s introduction of the classical tractor biplane formula which had dominated aviation for a long period. This type of machine he distinguished from such craft as the Howard Wright, flown by his boyhood friend Tommy Sopwith. With a twinkle in his eye Lord Brabazon went on to consign V.1000s, DC-8s and Boeing 707s to perdition, deploring that flying had now become aerial transport, devoid of excitement except for the prospect of being burned at each end. On a recent flight he had found a fat lady on each side of him and could not get out his cigarette case. Such travel he described as an insult to one’s individuality, and in his opinion the Siamese were better off. Flying in his youth he described as “feeling like sitting on a blancmange in a strong draught.” He recalled that he had won the Michelin Trophy at an average speed of 38 m.p.h., and he doubted if anyone could equal this feat today, so little attention having been paid to the lower end of the speed range.

Desert Sighting

A convoy of ten R.A.F. lorries, which had become bogged down through heavy rain in the Arabian Desert whilst they were carrying R.A.F. Regiment stores from Akaba to Amman, was located by R.A.F. aircraft after the vehicles had been missing for three days, during which time the crews had been without food.

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50 years ago: 10 FEB 1956

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