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Aviation History
1922
1922 - 0373.PDF
JUNI 29, 1922 in earnest, and it must be admitted that the writer began to feel the unequal degree of wetness, without v. within, rather acutely. Some hot tea and welcome shelter within one of the hangars was, therefore, most acceptable. From here it was not very easy to follow the next two or three events very closely, and the rain-mist made matters more difficult still. However, the Pageant carried on through it all, and, what is more remarkable still, the front of the enclosures remained well thronged with spectators to the bitter end—an extra ordinary and highly satisfactory proof of the enthusiastic interest in aviation taken by the public. After the low-bombing competition the Relay Race for the Duke of York's Challenge Cup (last holder, Kenley) was flown. One team, consisting of an Avro, Bristol Fighter and Snipe, from each of 12 R.A.F. stations, took part, each Avro flying over the course and handing over a message to the Bristol of its team, which in turn flew over the course and handed over the message to the Snipe. The latter completed its course and flew past the finishing line. Result:— Avro. Bristol. 1. Kenley .. F/Lt. W. Chappell, F/Lt. J. M. Robb, M.C. D.F.C. 2. Halton .. F/Lt. C. A. Stevens, F/O. H. L. Rough, M.C. D.F.C. 3. Duxford .. F/O. J. R. King .. F/O. W. E. Purdin. Snipe. 1. Kenley .. F/Lt. F. L. Luxmore. 2. Halton .. F/Lt. J. O. Compston, D.S.C., D.F.C. 3. Duxford .. F/O. F. Le P. Trench. F/Lt. Longton then ascended once again, and gave a demonstration of instructional stunting, as now forming a part of the normal training of a pilot. These stunts included the Loop, Half-Roil on top of Loop, the Half-Roll, Stalling Turn, Upside Down Flying, Stall and Vertical Dive, Sideslip, the Roll, Flat Turn, Vertical Slip, Vertical Spin, and Falling Leaf. Unfortunately these stunts were not seen to their best advantage under the prevailing weather conditions, the machine at times being almost completely hidden from view in the mist. It was, nevertheless, a wonderful display. The attack on a kite balloon by a formation of Snipes was very effectively carried out this year. The balloon was enveloped most of the time in the misty clouds, out of which the attacking Snipe left its formation and swooped down on to its prey with a rattle of machine-gun fire. After several bursts of the latter, a tiny speck of flame was observed in the ^m side of the balloon. This was a'signal for the observer, Maj. Sawdust, to make a graceful descent in his parachute. Imme diately after, the escaping gas got well alight, and the balloon fell to earth a mass of flame and dense smoke. Then followed the event of the day, an Eastern drama, depicting the attack and destruction of a desert stronghold. This was intended to illustrate the work that was done by the R.A.F. in the East. The '* plot " of the drama was quite thrilling, and was well carried out by the " actors." A machine (Bristol Fighter) returning from a reconnaissance, had to make a forced landing near the stronghold, which opened a fierce attack on the disabled machine. The pilot of the latter had wirelessed for help, informing his squadron as to the position, etc. Fortunately an armoured car section, returning from a raid, happened to be near at hand, and rushed up to the rescue, keeping off, with heavy machine-gun fire, numbers of gaily clothed Wottnotts, who had emerged from the stronghold. After an interval of half an hour, lasting about two minutes, the bombing squadron arrived on the scene. The pilot of one of these machines landed along side the disabled machine with a spare air-speed indicator, and soon put things aright. Both machines then got safely away. In the meanwhile the bombing squadron attacked the stronghold, under heavy fire from an enemy anti-aircraft battery, mounted on motor lorries, situated some distance away. The bombs soon began to take effect, and after a few salvos the stronghold was in flames, and the garrison was observed fleeing in all directions. The programme concluded with an interesting demonstra tion, not without considerable pictorial effect, of the forma tion of an artificial cloud screen at about 1,000 ft. above the ground, by dropping smoke bombs from a Handley Page bomber. This is employed by attacking machines to screen them from anti-aircraft guns. We cannot conclude without expressing our admiration for the wonderful organisation displayed throughout. Each event was carried out promptly to time and without the slightest hitch. The arrangements in the enclosures were splendid, and every effort was made to provide for the comfort of the visitors. The traffic arrangements, also, were well nigh perfect, a continuous procession of General 'buses, etc., dis patching the thousands of people to their various destinations with extraordinary speed. As we walked up Hendon Hill, damp but happy, we could not help repeating to ourselves over and over again, " Every year and in every way the R.A.F. Aerial Pageant gets better and better." H H H H QERMAN AIR LEGISLATION i Decree Relative to Aircraft Construction IN our issue of May 18, 1922, we published an article dealing briefly with the text of the restrictions under which, as from May 5, 1922, Germany was permitted to build and use air craft. These restrictions were, of course, those imposed by the " Committee of Guarantees," which has now replaced the Inter-Allied Aircraft Commission. In connection with them it is not without interest to examine what steps the German Government has taken to ensure that the regulations are carried out. A Decree dated May 5, 1922, has been issued by the German Government, from which we quote. On the construction of aircraft in Germany the decree states :— " Every person engaging in the construction of aircraft must notify the Minister of Transport within 14 days of taking up the business. Every person engaging in the con struction of or importation of aircraft material is bound, at the demand of the Minister of Transport and his agents, to give all information deemed necessary by the latter with respect to the said material. " This information may be called for by public notice or by direct enquiry from the individual parties from whom this information is required. " The Minister of Transport and his agents are authorised to examine the books, business letters and other documents in order to ascertain important data, and also to visit and search premises known or thought to contain objects or documents concerning which information is required. " Apart from the official report and the duty of reporting any infringement of the law, the agents are bound to maintain secrecy with respect to installations and business relations a m Abolition of the Canadian Air Board AN Act was passed by the Canadian House of Commons on April 27, 1922, by which the duties of the Canadian Air Board and of the Naval and Military Departments are to be taken over by a Ministry of Defence. which come to their knowledge in the execution of their duties and to refrain from divulging or making use of business secrets. " The constructor's or importer's statement and the results of investigations shall not be used for purposes of taxation." On the use of aircraft in Germany, Article IV of the decree states : " Aircraft shall only be admitted to traffic in Germany on the condition that they fulfil the regulations in the appendix." (These conditions were dealt with in the article referred to.) Article V provides that aircraft which are constructed or imported in contravention to the regulations, or which are used in Germany in contravention to the regula tions, shall, on the demand of the Minister of Transport, be brought into line with the regulations at the cost of the guilty party ; in the case of refusal the Minister of Transport is authorised to take the necessary measures at the cost of the parties in question, According to Article VI, " any person acting in contra vention to the regulations will be punished with a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or with a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand marks. In addition to the penalty, the objects in respect of which the penalty is incurred may be confiscated, whether they belong to the guilty party or not. Confiscation may take place independently, even if no criminal proceedings can be taken against a given guilty party." The decree is signed : " Berlin, 5th May, 1922. " For the State Government, " BAUER." Ill 13 A Defence Council is to be set up which will consist of the Minister of Defence (President), Deputy Minister (Vice- President), a member who will perform the duties vested in the Deputy Minister of the Naval Service, and four other officers. 373
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