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Aviation History
1922
1922 - 0676.PDF
NOVEMBER 16, 1922 GOTHENBURG 1923 AERO EXHIBITION THAT the only way aviation can within reasonable time become the vogue with the million is by practical propaganda work can hardly be disputed. With this hard fact to face, a little gathering on Monday at the Metropole, to meet a com mittee of Swedish representatives of the Gothenburg Aero Exhibition to be held in July and August next year, may do considerable good. The point of the meeting, which was very sympathetically presided over by Admiral Mark Kerr, was to lay before the representatives of the various aircraft and aero engine construction firms in this country the objects of the exhibition, and to invite their co-operation in making it an international success, and, at the~same time, spread the gospel of aviation. Admiral Mark Kerr initially pointed out that he thought British participation was a good business proposition for the firms concerned, as Sweden not only wanted British aircraft, although possibly a bit more expensive than from some other sources, but they would have them. And in this respect they were wise, as it must be remembered that Sweden was as vulnerable to attack from the air as was England. At an Exhibition of this character, it was up to England to show« that she was not only second to none in aircraft construction, but that she was superior to all others. Baron Palmstierna, the Swedish Minister, supported the views of the Chairman, and said they were looking to England, to reduce, via the air, the time for them to reach each other. They wished the British to get into and keep ever in close touch with Sweden, and he therefore welcomed their repre sentatives. Sweden was in acute sympathy with England ; it was Russia which had been their great problem in the past. Gen. Sir Sefton Brancker, in response to his toast, proposed by Admiral Mark Kerr, said he believed in Sweden as an asset to aviation, and if he could only get the price of one battle ship transferred, he would guarantee the success of Civil Aerial Transport. He had every confidence in the aircraft industry carrying their burden to a successful issue, and although he was personally more enthusiastic than ever to help them on the road, he feared that road was still a rough one to traverse before they reached smooth ground. Admiral Kerr, in proposing success to the Gothenburg Exhibition, referred to the wonderful qualities and per formances of the Rolls-Royce and Napier engines. Mr. Ivar Lignell, of Gothenburg, in responding, said the Exhibition covered 72 acres, and already a large number of Swedish exhibitors had secured space. As to the aero section, they might ask why should British exhibitors go to them ? It was by propaganda that aviation would rule the world, he claimed, and he quoted from a paragraph in regard to a new French squadron of propagandists which had been formed, and this was an example, he thought should be followed. Again, would they have a chance of selling aircraft if they came over ? His reply was that there was consider able prospect, as all the country authorities round the Baltic 13 H had sums ear-marked which they were prepared to put into various aviation schemes. They were waiting to see what there was to offer them of the best value. Moreover, he thought that if the air races, with prizes up to £ 1,000, which were practically assured between Gothenburg and Rotterdam, materialised, it meant an instant success for the Exhibition. They also were making a great effort to secure squadrons of aeroplanes from the various European Governments to attend at Gothenburg, and he hoped their efforts would be successful, which would mean a great precedent for the future. Sweden was a very vast country, practically oblong. It was essen tially a country for aerial services which, he maintained, under their geographical conditions, would be cheaper than railways, or other forms of transport. They would welcome very heartily British exhibitors, and they would give them every facility, in addition to the 50 per cent, reduction in freightage already arranged for, to induce them to come over. They attached such importance to British exhibitors that without them they felt the Exhibition would be a failure. If only a few machines were sent it would suffice to support it to success, and he sincerely hoped they would come. Sir Sefton Brancker added a few words to his previous remarks, repeating that the Exhibition had his personal sympathy and that of the Air Ministry. The Exhibition administration had asked for a unit of the R.A.F. to be sent to the Exhibition, and he had strongly recommended to have that done. From the civil side it must be regarded as a financial question. He would be willing to help and to be worried to any extent in the matter, but the finality rested with the Treasury, who were the crux of the whole question, but he would do everything in his power to get them all they desired. Mr. Handley Page said he was in sympathy with the idea of their making a show, but private enterprise experienced vast difficulty in getting there, on the top of now having to carry on under peace conditions. He thought that instead of the Exhibition giving a big international prize, they would rather help by paying the expenses of, say, half a dozen selected firms, who would undertake to fly to Gothenburg and remain there for demonstration purposes. They would then get a bigger field, and therefore ensure success. Their giving international flying exhibitions would be a popular and he thought a profitable proposition. Admiral Kerr said that it was proposed to give every machine which arrived at Gothenburg a price per kilometre flown, in getting there, and in addition there were many demonstration prizes which would be available to competitors. Sir Henry White Smith also felt that they were in sym pathy with the whole scheme, and he suggested that an early meeting between the S.B.A.C. and the Exhibition Committee would probably get them down to hard facts more quickly than any other means. H 000000000 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 000000000 Another view of the Handley Page " Hanley '' torpedo 'plane, 450 h.p. Napier "Lion" engine: Three- quarter front view. The slots can be clearly seen in the picture. Although this machine is offi cially known as the "Hanley," it is affectionately called the "Heintz," owing to the number of levers which the pilot has to operate. 676
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