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Aviation History
1917
1917 - 0012.PDF
JANUARY 4, 1917. OUR aeroplanes are the eyes of the Army, whereas formerly, they were only considered as spectacles.—Whipped Topics. WITH Lord Curzon a member of the War Cabinet, and LordSydenham's resignation in, as a member of the Air Board, but little substance is left to distribute. All the easier for theAir Minister to get going right away. It is to be hoped, for obvious reasons, that the gratuitous suggestion of the DailyMail towards fresh complications by advising the construc- tion of service macliines by the Services will be appreciatedat its proper value. It would truly be a case of out of the frying-pan into the fire. L. Is it •.*• No, certainly not the " or," whose press agent must haveallowed his advocacy to outstrip his discretion in some quarters last week. misMs The very original and quaint Christmas greeting cardfor 1916 which has been used by the Royal Flying Corps this year. The long deep shadows well carryout the idea of the aeroplanes being lined up ready to start in the early morning, with the sun just gettingup behind the sheds. For those who may not recog- nise the work, the tiny hieroglyphics in the right-hand bottom corner represent the initials of Flight- Commander Roderic Hill, D.S.O., whose work is so• well known to our readers. NOT unexpected keen interest in the results of our air workis evinced by both King George and Queen Mary. One intensely practical form of this is in the very remarkable collec-tion of aerial photographs secured in active aerial recon- naissance by the R.F.C. over the enemy's lines and thecountry occupied by him. A goodly selection of these was last week exhibited to their Majesties at Buckingham Palace,under the direction of Major C. D. M. Campbell, of the Direc- torate of Air Organisation. ••' THE United States are making a big bid to make up for pastslackness in air development, and no doubt by the time our little troubles this side are over, the home of the WrightBrothers will be well on the road to aeronautical efficiency. Not unnaturally, out there most attention is being given tothe practical utilisation of the aeroplane, although even the United States Government is realising it is time they didsomething to put themselves into line with modern practice. Amongst the more promising commercial suggestions isone that regular air mail services between New York and Chicago should be instituted. In this connection it may beworth noting that it is estimated that the average time for the flight of 720 miles would be seven hours. The fastesttrain takes more than 20 hours to cover the distance between the two cities. MR. CHARLES BRIGHT, a member of the recent Air EnquiryCommittee, was intensely keen in regard to all practical matters which concerned that Enquiry, and he probably tookmore trouble to become thoroughly versed in the why and the wherefore of aerial navigation than all the rest of thisJudicial Committee put together. It is refreshing to have from Mr. Bright his views as to folk being " too old at 40 "to take to the air. In quoting the late Lord Lucas, who lost his life in the air, by way of his text, Mr. Bright states the factthat he himself has "taken to the air," as a passenger, when over 50 years, and from his personal experience " wouldstrongly recommend flying to more or less elderly people for its recuperative effects and as a capital antidote to in-somnia. Permit me also to commend it to members of the Parliamentary Air Committee and others interesting them- /selves in aviation. One learns more about aviation by per- sonal experience in the air than can be learnt in any otherway. Indeed, I would not now venture on a pronounced opinion on some much-disputed points unless I had satisfiedmyself by direct personal investigation. Looking ahead to the days when international intercourse by air will be farmore common than it is at present, there seems no reason why - elderly aerial special constables should not act as coastpatrols. Those of doubtful age should, in actual fact, be • even more ready to risk their lives than young fellows with 'everything before them ; and I cannot help thinking that an opening should be made for the older type of airmen asinstructors and patrols, especially in view of the shortage of the former." THE venue of Lady Drogheda's aeronautical " PictureShow " has now been definitely settled. It is at the Gros- venor Gallery, where the valuable and big collection ofpictures and photographs, ancient and modern, including a supremely interesting selection of aerial reconnaissance photo-graphs from the front, will be displayed. January 8th is the " hanging " day, and it is hoped to be ready for the publicby about the 12th. It should be one of the most attractive exhibitions in London while it lasts, and afford an opportunityto the public to become conversant with the " art " of avia- tion without having to rise from terra firtna. Moreover, byway of reminder, the entire proceeds will go to swell the funds of the Royal Flying Services Fund and other worthy objectswhich are dear to the heart of Lady Drogheda. Our advice is : Do not miss a visit to this unique display. MR. LLOYD GEORGE has expressed his appreciation of theefforts of the Overseas Club, which have already resulted in over 80 aeroplanes being presented to the R.F.C, and hopes,moreover, that their " ambition of an Imperial Air Fleet of 100 units will be realised." Which it will, judging by the ' s f i •-', 12
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