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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 0840.PDF
JULY 29, 1920 " %*mmm IN the second volume of General Ludendorf's work upon the War, " Documents of the General Staff," just published, the fact is definitely nailed down by documentary evidence that the most persistent advocate of air-bombing London, from a mistaken psychological view of Britons, was Hinden- burg. In July, 1917, Hindenburg was still hammering away, apparently, in correspondence with Von Bethmann- Hollweg, insisting that air attacks upon London would force the British to make peace instead of filling them with greater determination than ever to beat Germany. SINCE the recently noted air funeral in America, some enterprising undertaker has, it is reported, constructed an aerial " hearse." This is to be formally " launched " at the Undertakers' Convention next month. In keeping with this innovation, a passenger Mourning plane, with accom- modation for fifteen persons, is also being built as a part of the funeral equipment. A " STRANGE story " indeed, as " Londoner" in the Evening Standard remarks, is the following :— " An extraordinary story reaches me to-day of mysterious aeroplanes in the West of Ireland, manned by Sinn Feiners wearing British uniforms, which have visited certain British camps there and, so my story goes, have dropped bombs on our troops. The aeroplanes, it is believed, are ex-Army machines which have been sold through the Disposals Board, and it is known that several 'planes have been flown from England "Flight" Copyright Professor Newall fills an interlude during the AerialDerby by making a "double " parachute descent to Ireland. The Government have now placed an embargo on all sales of aeroplanes to Ireland, and certain steps are being taken to endeavour to trace the Irish aerial bandits. ON the eve of the Aerial Derby it is worth noting that the" betting " at the Royal Aero Club panned out as follows :— 11-2 Hawker; 15-2 Hinkler ; 8-1 each Tait, Cox andRaynham ; 100-6 each Heslam, Hamersley, Uwins, James and Nisbet; 20-1 each Jordan, Longton, Fall, Cotton,and Hubbard ; 25-1 Jensen. No doubt these were the figures over which the few skipping bookies came to grief. It is good to learn that steps were as far as possible taken to minimise the risk of such happenings and it is to be hoped that, in justice to the properly accredited bookmakers, the welshing culprits may be brought to book in every sense of the word. It was indeed smart of the Aero Club authorities to take the precaution of having the price merchants photographed in situ, as this should be very helpful to Scotland Yard in securing convictions. Although of not too savoury a nature, it must be noted that this little episode is yet another " Milestone " in relation to affairs aeronautical. For future occasions would it not be pos- sible for the Royal Aero Club to " license " each bookmaker to ply his avocation, the license carrying with it some distinct and conspicuous emblem to be displayed by such licensee. Any person in the enclosures or anywhere within the juris- diction of those in authority, who tried to do business without this authorised emblem could and should be immediately ejected, due notice having, of course, been given under properly displayed regulations governing all admission to the premises, of the right reserved by the Management to so treat any transgressors of this rule. The reputable " bookies " would be the first to applaud such a procedure. A GOOD deal of fuss hasjbeen made recently about the continued existence of a range of anti-aircraft guns at North Dulwich, together with the contingent necessary to look after them. Apparently, by reasons of the light shed upon the subject, or by mere coincidence, instructions have since been given to have these guns and the personnel removed. We have no knowledge as to this particular unit and its usefulness, but for goodness sake don't let unreasonable publicity to so-called " scandals " in this direction jeopardise the permanent keeping together of anti-aircraft organisation sufficient to ensure our readiness for rapid expansion, should necessity for it, at some future date, unfortunately arise. It is a wise precaution to see that provision is made for a nucleus of aircraft defence to be preserved. Things may happen suddenly through the Air, and just think of the possibilities which may be in store for us all from the possible expansion of that " strange story" of Irish aeroplanes already referred to in these notes ! IN a new series of postage stamps issued by Brazil, one of the designers shows Aviation, personified by a female figure, together with an aeroplane rising in the dawn. This design is allocated to the 100 reis, red, and 200 reis, blue values. WHEN will that British aerial postage stamp materialise ? AVIATION appears, not perhaps unnaturally, to raise curious problems in life. One of the quaintest of recent date is set out in a letter to Messrs. Handley Page and Co., Ltd., from Mr. Hubert Dean, whose mildly voiced protest under date July 23 is as follows :— " 1 beg to call your attention to the fact that your pilots flying low over my house at 12, Gillingham Road, Crickle- wood, are causing damage to my furniture by the pressure of air from the propellers blowing soot, etc., down the chimney. " I do not write in any antagonistic spirit, but think if the fact is mentioned, you will no doubt put the matter right." AFTER mature reflection, it occurs to one that the obvious remedy is to see that one's chimneys are kept thoroughly 842
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