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Aviation History
1923
1923 - 0338.PDF
JUNE 28. 1923 on this point, but if we might make a suggestion, offered with all deference, subjects a discussion of which would tend to increase the safety of flying should be given preference. Once we can ensure the safety of flying, the rest is, comparatively speaking, easy. Until we can do so, no manner of progress in efficiency, performance, economy and so forth will avail us. Such subjects as controllability at high angles, the reduction of landing speeds, etc., are, it seems to us, the really essential problems, and we could have liked to see them given somewhat greater prominence in this year's Congress.than has been the case. As far as we personally are concerned, although it is obviously impossible for us to publish in full all the papers read, we shall endeavour to give extracts from all such papers as appear to us to contain really new matter, or to throw new light on an old subject. In this way we hope to be of some assistance in bringing to the notice of the many who were unable to attend the Congress the more important matters raised, and at an earlier date than if they had to await the publica- tion of the official proceedings of the Congress. The first air race to be held this year— Ti*e S.ace the competition for the challenge cup for the iji T i T-J J/-Grosvenor presented by Lord Edward Grosvenor— Cup was, unfortunately, marred by the sad accident which resulted in the death of Major Foot, M.C. The exact cause of the accident has not been ascertained at the moment of writing, and although various explanations have been put forward, it is useless to try to speculate on the possible cause. We can but regret that once more the air has taken its toll, and another name added to the long list of those who have given their lives in the cause. With regard to the race itself, there is not much which calls for comment. Restricted as it was to machines of under 150 h.p., no spectacular perform- ances were expected, and none put up. All the same, the race showed that quite good sport can be provided by machines of low power, although it is to be feared that the general interest in the light 'plane movement —awakened since Lord Edward Grosvenor first offered his challenge cup—somewhat affected public enthusiasm in Saturday's race. The winner, Flight-Lieut. Longton, is well known also outside the R.A.F., and has taken part in several competitions in the past. The fact that he won the Grosvenor race will make his " crazy flying "at the Aerial Pageant all the more popular. Raynham is an old favourite, and on Saturday only just missed winning the race, after putting up an extremely good effort. Bert Hinkler, on his little Avro Baby, has a warm place in the public heart ever since his memor- able non-stop flight to Turin. The Schneider Cup The timely agitation raised in the House of Commons over the subject of Government support for firms entering for the Schneider Cup Race seems, unfortunately, to be meeting so far with but scant success. Sir Samuel Hoare called attention to the offer by the Air Ministry to purchase the winning machine—minus engine—for £3,000, and regretted his inability—owing to lack of money—to promise further assistance this year. As we remarked in these columns several weeks ago, although the offer of £3,000 for the winning machine shows a willingness to help, it is in no way comparable with the American method of purchasing the machines before the race, nor of the French way of giving large financial assist- - ance to any French competitor completing the course. As Sir Samuel Hoare says there is no more money this year, it might be possible, and advisable, to offer the whole of the £6,000 (i.e., the above £3,000 and the £3,000 promised for the Derby winner) for the winner of the Schneider race, if British. This would be a considerable hardship on those British constructors who are building machines for the Aerial Derby, but it should be remembered that whereas the Derby is not likely to attract foreign competitors, the Schneider Cup Race does do so, and if we should have the ill fortune to lose this year, and the Cup go to America, for instance, the expense next year of sending machines to America would be so great that a Govern- ment expenditure of quite considerable magnitude would be necessary to ensure British participation. THIRTY-FOUR NEW SQUADRONS FOR HOME DEFENCE ON Tuesday, June 26, the Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons the Government's decision to provide more adequately for the air defence of this country. Out- lining British air policy Mr. Baldwin said that the Govern- ment had come to the following conclusions with reference to British air power. In addition to meeting the essential air power requirements of the Navy, Army, Indian and Overseas commitments, British air power must include a Home Defence Air Force of sufficient strength adequately to protect us against air attack by the strongest air force within striking distance of this country. It should be organised in part on a regular and permanent military basis, and in part on a territorial or reserve basis, but so arranged as to ensure that sufficient strength would be immediately available for purposes of defence. The fullest possible use was to be made of civilian labour and facilities. In the first instance the Home Defence Force should con- sist of fifty-two squadrons, to be created with as little delay as possible, and the Secretary of State for Air had been instructed forthwith to take the preliminary steps for carrying this decision into effect. The result of this proposal would be to add thirty-four squadrons to the authorised strength of the Royal Air Force. The details of the organisation would be arranged with a view to the possibility of subsequent expansion, but before any further development was put in hand the question should be re-examined in the light of the then air strength of foreign Powers. In conformity with our obligation under the Covenant of the League of Nations, his Majesty's Government would gladly co-operate with other Governments in limiting the strength of air armaments on lines similar to the Treaty of Washington in the case of the Navy, and any such arrange- ment would govern the policy of air expansion set out in this statement. He thought it was only right that the moment a decision had been taken the House should be made acquainted with the fact, but, of course, the details had not been fully worked out. He thought that before long the Secretary of State for Air would be in a position to discuss the matter in detail when the Air Estimates were put down. Later in the year there would also be a Supplementary Estimate for certain expenditure which would have to be incurred in the current year, and then a full discussion would take place. It would be possible to put down the Air Estimates on any Supply day between now and the end of July. Sir S. Hoare, Secretary of State for Air, said it was difficult to give an exact estimate of the expenditure, but he thought the expenditure involved this year would not exceed £500,000, . and the average expenditure of this extension, including both capital and maintenance, would not be more than £5,500,000. That expenditure would not be reached until probably three years, and in the next year and the year following the expen- diture would be considerably less than the full average expenditure of £5,500,000. These figures were in the nature of a rough estimate, and he would be able to give a more definite and accurate estimate when the Supplementary Estimate came to be con- sidered. 338
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