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Aviation History
1922
1922 - 0440.PDF
THE DE HAVILLAND AEROPLANE HIRE SERVICE Flying for Less than Taxi Fares IN these days of subsidised uncommercial flying, it is gratifying to discover that a great deal of non-subsidised flying is being done. Not only so, but actually such flying is done entirely as a commercial proposition, and, most important of all, is paying its way. For a considerable time, the De Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd., of Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware, Middlesex, has had in operation a number of machines, ready at short notice, for flights to anywhere. When first started, there was some doubt as to whether the "air taxi" could be made to pay at charges which would be likely to appeal to the public. These doubts have been set at rest long ago, and the De Havilland Aeroplane Hire Service has been established quite independently of the main firm. At present there are ten machines available for hire, mostly -of the " D.H.9C " and " D.H.16 " limousine types. Al though these may be said to be merely converted war tj^pes, they have proved themselves capable of doing very good themselves of the opportunity to use the air taxis, that the entire " stable " is generally fully occupied. It might be mentioned that during June more than 20,000 miles were covered by the machines of the De Havilland Hire Service, flying on a variety of errands. At present a news paper service is being maintained between Lympne and Ostend, the machines leaving early in the morning. The starting point was transferred to Lympne on account of its relative freedom from early morning mists, from which Croydon suffers rather badly. The uses to which the air taxis are being put are so varied that it is impossible for us to do more than indicate a few. The famous long nights made by Mr. Cobham are already so well known that we need not elaborate the subject here. Flights for newspapers, carrying photographers or conveying photographs, are almost daily occurrences, while on three occasions lately, it has been possible for passengers who had THE DE HAVILLAND AEROPLANE HIRE SERVICE : Line-up of the ten machines which at present constitute the " stable." commercial work, and the rates at which they are to be hired are such that, with full load, the cost is but very slightly greater than that charged by " approved " companies on the London-Paris route. Thus the " D.H.9C," which has accommodation for three passengers, two of whom are seated in a small cabin, can be hired at an inclusive rate of 2s. per mile, or £8 per flying hour. With full load of three passengers the cost therefore works out at the surprisingly low figure of 8d. per passenger per mile, or less than taxi fare. 1 The "D.H.16," which has a limousine body, seats four passengers, and can be had for 2s. 6d. per mile, or £11 per flying hour, which is even more economical. If the machines are required for goods, the former has a capacity of 650 lbs., while the latter carries 800 lbs. The distance from Croydon to Paris is about 240 miles, so that a machine may be hired from this firm for the journey at an inclusive fee per passenger of £8, as against the £6 6s. charged by the regular air lines. In view of the fact that, by hiring a machine, one is not limited to either route or destination, this fee is certainly remarkably low, and it is not surprising that so many avail Germany's Reply to Restrictions FROM Berlin it is reported that the German Government has sent a note to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Holland and Switzerland informing the respective Governments that only aeroplanes conforming with the restrictions placed upon German aircraft will be permitted to cross the German fron tier. This is a clever move on the part of the German Government, and obviously intended to reduce the handicap which the restrictions of the Allies places upon German civil flying. If any of these countries wish to run services into Germany they can now only do so by using machines of as low power and fuel capacity as those to which the Germans themselves are restricted. missed their train from London to Southampton to get to the latter port in time to catch liners which would otherwise have been missed. Tours through Belgium and Northern France, seeing the battlefields from the air, are popular with tourists, and as the only stipulation- is that machines must alight at certain aerodromes for customs on entering a country, and the passengers have their passports in order, this method of touring is delightfully free from worrying formalities, not to mention the comfort of the journey itself as compared with hours spent in stuffy trains. Owing to the large demand for machines during the summer months, it is as well to order as long in advance as possible, although it is often possible to get a machine, even for an extended tour, at a few hours' notice, by writing, telegram, or telephone to the company. The address of the De Havilland Hire Service has already been given. The telephone number is Kingsbury 160-161, and the telegraphic address " Havilland, Edgware." All enquiries are promptly dealt with. H H Giant French Flying Boat under Test 1 AT the last Paris Aero Show was exhibited by Marcel Besson a scale model of a huge quadruplane flying boat, ' which was then stated to be in course of construction. Reference to this machine was made on p. 776 of our issue of November 24, 1921, in our report on the Paris Show. The machine is now stated to be at St. Raphael undergoing tests. The arrangement of the wings is unusual, the four planes being arranged as two biplanes, of which one set is staggered in relation to the other. The strutting is of X formation. The cabin is a separate unit from the boat hull. The dimensions are : Span, 95 ft. ; length, 69 ft. ; height, 23 ft. ; and wing area, 2,750 sq. ft. 440
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