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Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0386.PDF
Hf] A project is on foot for the institution of an air service between Cairo andBasra . via Jerusalem, Damascus and . Bagdad. It is said that arrangements are already fairly well forward, and that a first-class fleet of commercial aeroplanes is to be employed on the route. The project is certainly ambitious, but there is no reason to think that it cannot be justified by the possibilities which seem to open up of successful operation of a service between these places. It is true that a part of the route is already served by the Bagdad railway, but this, even before the War, was not conspicuous either for the quality or the regularity of its services. In the course of hostilities both the railway and its stock suffered very severely, and at the present time only very intermittent services are the rule. But, even if the railway were working well, there seems to be no leason why an air service should not prove successful. The distances between the places named are great., and considerable JUNE 9, 1921 time is wasted in travelling by ordinary methods A regular service of aeroplanes would cut off many days from the time now taken to travel from Egypt to the head 01 the Persian Gulf. There is considerable trade between these places, and it follows a somewhat peculiar route. From Cairo to Basra, across the Syrian Desert, is about r,ooo miles in a straight line. The trade route follows a much longer track through Suez, Jerusalem, Damascus, Aleppo, Alexandretta, Diabekr and Bagdad to Basra, thus describing almost a complete semi-circle of some 1,800 miles. Obviously, an aerial service must more or less follow the beaten trade routes, even when distances are so greatly increased thereby as they are in this case. We understand that the Government is taking a lively interest in this proposed new service, probably as a result of the visit of Mr. Churchill to the East, but when it is to be started and with what types of machines is not as yet available. HONOURS AMONGST the names appearing in the Birthday Honours List, are the following :— Barons SAMUEL, Sir MARCUS, Bt.—For eminent public and national services. A generous benefactor to charitable and scientific objects, and whose connection and control of the Shell Co.'s enterprises have made his name familiar the world through. Baronets ALEXANDER, DOUGLAS.—Head of the Singer Manufacturing Company. Large contracts were undertaken during the War for the manufacture of 6-in. and 15-in. shells and aeroplane parts on a " without profits " basis. FRASER, Sir JOHN MALCOLM.—For public services. Rendered valuable assistance in the Queen's Devonshire House Fund and in the Royal Naval Air Service during the War. Knights INSTONE, SAMUEL.—S. Instone and Co., Ltd., of 49, Leadenhall Street, E.C., Paris, and Italy. Founder of Askern Garden City, Doncaster. Very large subscriber to war charities. Mr. Instone is, of course, well known in aviation circles as head of the Instone Air Service, one of the two British firms which are still running regular services between London and Paris. Although an important air line, this forms only an auxiliary branch of the firm, who are ship and colliery owners, with branches at Cardiff, New- castle, Plymouth, Askern (Yorks), Genoa, Antwerp, etc. At the outbreak of war Mr. Instone chartered a large number of steamers owned by neutrals, and placed them in the trade between this country and France. SMITH, HENRY WHITE, C.B.E.—Chairman of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Mr. White Smith is knighted for his important work in connection with aviation. He has been a director of the Bristol firm since its inception in 1910, when it was known as the British and Colonial, and on the death of his uncle, the late Sir George White, he became chairman of the firm. He is also chairman of the Society of British Aircraft constructors. Sir Henry was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1919, and is well known throughout the world, not only through his connection with the Bristol Aeroplane Co., but also for his numerous lectures on commercial aviation. He is a member of the Council of the Federation of British Industries, and is also a member of the Executive Committee* of the Engineering and National Employers' Federation. A short time ago he received the gold medal and diploma of the Imperial Japanese Civil Aviation Society. Air Force Awards Air Force Cross.—Flight-Lieut. E. B. GRENFELL. Bar to Air Force Medal.—No. 200695 S.M. II. W. R. MAYES, D.S.M., A.F.M. ; No. 314892 Flight-Sergt. S: J. HEATH, A.F.M. —, Rescue of Comrades in Mesopotamia The King 1 has approved of the following reward to the undermentioned officer in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in Mesopotamia :— BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. Flying Officer Dudley Lloyd Evans, M.C., D.F.C., R.A.F. (Distinguished Flying Cross gazetted December 3, 1918).— For gallantry, skill and devotion to duty on November 1, 1Q2O, while accompanying another machine on reconnaissance. Owing to engine trouble the second machine, with pilot and observer, had to make a forced landing in hostile country. A party of mounted Arabs at once started firing at the observer, who was dismantling a Lewis gun. On seeing this, Flying Officer Evans landed at great peril to himself, took both officers on his already loaded machine, and, getting off with much difficulty, returned to Headquarters. < Independent Force (R.A.F.) Third Annual Dinner IN addition to the Chief of the Air Staff and H.R.H. The Duke of York, the following have already intimated their intention to be present at the Reunion at the Hotel Cecil on June 20 :—Major-General J. E. Dickie, C.B., CM.(jr., Group-Captain Newall, C.M.G., C.B.E., A.M., Wing-Com- mander L. Greig, M.V.O., Wing-Commander Landon, I).SO., O.B.E., Lieut.-Col. Waley Cohen, C.M.G., D.S.O. To ensure seats being reserved, eligible officers should communicate with the Hon. Secretaries, Major T. Vincent Smith, M.C., or Sq.-Ldr. S. M. Cleverly, c/o Room 337E, Alexandra House, Kingsway, W.C. 2. +•- .'--••'. •; ,. Brazil and Military Aviation — BRAZIL is budgeting to devote 12,000 contos of xeis (nominally £600,000) to military aviation. A New Supermarine Amphibian FOR some time it has been known that the Supermarine Aviation Works of Southampton have been engaged on the construction of a new amphibian machine for the Air Ministry. We now learn that the machine has been completed, and has successfully undergone her tests. The shore landings made last week on one of the R.A.F. aerodromes proved the new amphibian gear to be very effective, and a considerable improvement on previous ones, pn the sea also the machine behaved in the typical Supermarine way, and the machine has now been taken over by the Air Ministry, being flown from Southampton to Isle of Grain by a Service pilot in a non-stop flight. As the machine is the property of the Air Ministry, no details can be published. -•• • -..,:••• — Civil Air Services in French Guiana AT present six hydro-aeroplanes are running a regularservice between. Saint-Laurent du Maroni and Cayenne ("260 km.) and Paramaribo (Dutch Guiana), a distance of250 km., and air transport has become popular, both for passengers and goods. Carriage of goods is very remunera-tive, as people prefer to send gold, balata, essence of rose, etc., by aircraft, which cover the distance from Saint-Laurentto Cayenne in six hours, whereas by canoe the time taken is twenty days. Within a short time the three Guianas are to be linked upby a regular air system, which will enormously facilitate intercommunication. , 386
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