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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 0633.PDF
MAY 15, 1919 A CIRCUIT OF BRITAIN FLIGHT A REMARKABLE and record flight round Great Britain has recently been accomplished by a twin-engined Handley Page (two 350 h.p. Rolls-Royce engines) carrying two pilot6, Major K. R. Park, R.A.F., and Capt. Stewart, R.A.F., two navigators, Major B. E. Smythies and Lieut. Wilson, three engineers and fitters and two wireless operators—a total crew of nine. Sixteen hundred miles were covered, and the whole journey was completed in thirty hours' flying—a very creditable result in view of the poor weather prevalent. The flight was begun from No. 1 R.A.F. School of Naviga tion at Andover at 2.15 a.m. There was some moon, but visibility was bad, a good deal of haze being encountered. The first stage was to Waddington, via Portsmouth, along the coast past Brighton to Ashford and Canterbury, and thence by Shoeburyness, Clacton, Lowestoft, Hunstanton, and across the Wash to Waddington, which was reached at 9 a.m. Certain necessary engine adjustments were effected here, and the flight resumed at 1.28 p.m. on the same day. The weather had improved somewhat, and Grimsby, Scarborough and South Shields were passed in better visibility. By the time Alnwick was reached at 5 p.m., however, conditions had deteriorated rapidly. Rain set in with low clouds and a strong westerly wind which rendered it necessary to descend from 3,000 to 800 ft., and then to 350 ft., at which height St. Abb's Head was rounded. It had been intended to pro ceed to Longside on this stage, but in view of the weather conditions, the machine was turned west to Edinburgh, and a landing effected at Turnhouse at 6.45 p.m. The following day the machine got away again at 11.50 a.m., and by way of Arbroath, Aberdeen, Longside, Inverness, and the Mull of Kintyre, Belfast was made at 7.5 p.m. Once again the weather was bad and visibility so poor that the aerodrome at Aldergrove could not be picked up. Owing to adverse winds petrol was running very low, and a landing had to be effected without further delay. It was at this point that a very remarkable feat was achieved in bringing the huge machine safely down on Messrs. Harland and Wolff's wharf at Belfast at 7.5. p.m. This wharf is about 400 yards long, and only very slightly wider that the actual wing span of the Handley Page itself. In view of the extremely limited area and the fact that the aeroplane had to be landed across wind, this landing constitutes a record in itself. Moreover, to lighten the machine so that it could be taken off again within the short run available, all the crew with the exception of Major Park were left behind to proceed to the aerodrome by road. Aldergrove aerodrome was left at 1.35 p.m. the next day, and a course set for Dublin and thence to Bardsey Sound, which involved an oversea passage of 68 miles. Newquay was the next point made, and the day's stage was completed at Pembroke at 5.50 p.m., where some further engine ad justments were effected. The last day of the circuit pro vided the best weather. An early start was made at 4.26 a.m., and after another oversea passage of 17 miles, Burry Holmes was reached. Thence the coast was followed to Boscastle, where a course was set inland to Bodmin and Plymouth, and then along the coast once more to Bournemouth before turning in to Andover—thus completing the circuit at 9.32 a.m. on the fourth day. The average air speed maintained throughout was 66 m.p.h., while each day's run averaged 450 miles. Another very successful night flight also made from this same R.A.F. Navigation School was from Andover to Bal- donnel (Dublin). The night was intensely dark, and it was practically impossible to pick up land marks. Accordingly the flight was done on compass bearings—due allowance being made for " drift." The calculations had been so ac curately worked out and the course so skilfully set that the navigator brought the machine out directly over Dublin— a remarkable achievement considering that 75 miles was an oversea passage. The entire journey was completed in 6J hours. THE PEACE TREATY THE following is the excerpt from the official summary of the Peace Treaty, which deals with Section V relating to the gilitary. and Naval Air clauses. The note on Section XI is also given :— Air. The air clauses provide that the armed forces of Germany must not include any military or naval air forces. Germany is, however, to be allowed to maintain a maximum of 100 unarmed seaplanes up to October 1, 1919, to be exclusively employed in searching for submarine mines. The entire personnel of the air forces in Germany is to be demobilised within two months, except for a total of 1,000 men, including officers, which may be retained up to October. The aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers are to enjoy full liberty of passage and landing over and in the territory and territorial waters of Germany until January 1, 1923, unless prior to that date Germany is admitted to the League of Nations or is permitted to adhere to the Inter national Air Convention. The manufacture of aircraft and parts of aircraft is forbidden throughout Germany for six months. All military and naval aircraft (including dirigibles) and aeronautical material are to be delivered to the Allied and Associated Governments within three months, except for the 100 seaplanes already specified. MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR PILOTS' A SPECIAL medical examination is necessary before a pilot can be granted a licence covering the carrying of passengers or goods for hire or reward. Applicants should communicate in writing with the Presi dent of the Aviation Candidates Medical Board, 9, Arkwright Road, Hampstead, N.W., asking for an appointment, at least 48 hours before the time they desire to present them selves for examination. A fee of £1 is. will be charged for the examination, which will take place normally between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., on any day except Saturday and Sunday. a a' High Flying with 25 Passengers AT Toussus-le-Noble on May 5 the Farman " Goliath," with 25 persons on board, ascended to a height of 5,100 metres (16,600 ft.), the climb taking 1 hr. 15 min., while the descent was made in 25 minutes. Lieut. Bossoutrol was the pilot. General General articles provide for the modification of German laws in conformity with the preceding clauses. All the clauses contained in the Treaty are to be executed by Germany under the control of Inter-Allied Commissions, to be specially appointed by the Allied and Associated Governments, for which the German Government is bound to furnish all necessary facilities and expenses of upkeep. The duties of the Military, Naval, and Aeronautical Com missions of Control are laid down in detail. SECTION XL Aerial Navigation Aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers shall have full liberty of passage and landing over and in German territory, equal treatment with German planes as to use of German aerodromes, and with most-favoured-nation planes as to internal commercial traffic in Germany. Germany agrees to accept Allied certificates of nationality, airworthi ness, or competency and licences, and to apply the convention relative to Aerial Navigation concluded between the Allied and Associated Powers to her own aircraft over her own territory. These rules apply until 1923 unless Germany has since been admitted to the League of Nations or to the above Convention. LICENCES FOR PASSENGER CARRYING The fee is payable at the time of examination. If found medically fit a certificate to that effect will be given to the candidate, who should then forward it, together with his application for licence, to the Secretary, Air Ministry (C.G. C.A.). When first communicating with the President of the Board, candidates should be careful to give their sur names and Christian names, together with information regarding their previous service (if any) in the Royal Air Force. H a A French Height Record On a Spad-Herbemont aeroplane fitted with a 300 h.p. Hispano-Suiza at Villacoublay on May 10, beat the French height record by going up to 8,400 metres (27,720 ft.). The old French record was 7,950 metres. 633
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