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Aviation History
1925
1925 - 0042.PDF
JANUARY 22, 1925 In order to obtain first-hand information on, and to prepare for, further developments of air communication in Africa itself, the French Government has also organised an important and extensive aerial tour over north-west Africa, to which reference has already been made in FLIGHT. This expedition, which started from Buc Aerodrome at 11.45 a.m. on January 18, consists of two four-engined Bleriot type 115 biplanes, " Jean Casale " and " Roland Garros," fitted with 180 h.p. Hispano-Suiza engines, the former machine piloted by Col. Vuillemin (who has already made many flights in the Sahara), accompanied by Capt. Dagnaux, Mechanic Richard, and a wireless operator ; the latter machine is piloted by Capt. Pelletier d'Oisy, who is accompanied by Col. Goys (chef de cabinet to the Under-Secretary of the Aeronautical Department and leader of the expedition), Adj. Besin (engineer) and a cinema operator. The " Roland Garros " was placed second in last year's Grand Prix for commercial machines, and the " Jean Casale " was third in the 1923 competition and was flown by Bajac on the Paris- London service. Both machines have, of course, been specially overhauled and modified for the expedition. The route of the tour has been divided into eight main sections and stages as follows (distances in kms. given in brackets) :— (A) Paris—Perpignan (800)—Alicante (700)—Colomb Bechar (800). (B) Colomb B6char—Adrar (500)—Ouallen (500)—Tessalit (500)—Gao (500). (C) Gao-Niamey (400)—Zinder (800)—Fort Lamy, Chad (700). ' >• (D) Fort Lamy—Bangui (1,000). . (E) Bangui—Fort Lamy (1,000). (F) Fort Lamy—Zinder (700)—Niamey (400)—Ouagadougou (500)—Bamako (700)—Kayes (500)—Dakar (700). (G) Dakar—Port Etienne (700)—Villa Cisneros (400)— Cape Juby (600)—Mogador (600)—Casablanca (400). (H) Casablanca—Tanger (300)—Alicante (700)—Perpignan (700)—Paris (800). -^ The total distance, out and home, is 16,900 kms., or nearly 10,500 miles, and it is expected that the expedition will take two months to accomplish. In addition to the above big flight it is probable that an attempt will be made shortly at a non-stop flight from Paris to Dakar. On this flight a Breguet 19 A2 machine, similar to D'Oisy's Paris-Tokio 'bus, but fitted with a Renault engine, will be employed, and Capt. Lemaitre and Lieut. Arrachart will undertake the attempt. France, however, is not the only country that will be' developing air services in Africa this year, for Belgium also will launch upon a big scheme in Belgian Congo. Belgium, too, in a small way, has been operating air services in this part £>f Africa for some time past, with, we believe, fairly successful results. This year the services are to be considerably extended, with the object of improving the at present some- what inadequate and difficult communications with the interior of Belgian Congo. It is proposed, therefore, to operate an air line extending from Kinshasa—the capital of Belgian Congo, near Leopold - ville, some 250 miles from the coast—to Katanga, in the interior, a total distance of 1,860 kms. (1,156 miles). The main traffic on this route, it may be mentioned, will consist of diamonds, gold and ivory, and it is expected that the transport of these from the interior to the capital by air will be effected in a single day, as against the week or more involved under present methods of transport. The operating company is known as " SABENA." The route, which is for the most part over very difficult territory, is divided into two main sections : Kinshasa- Luebo, a distance of 850 kms. (528 miles), and Luebo- Katanga, 1,010 kms. (628 miles). On the first section no fewer than 25 aerodromes or emergency landing grounds have already been constructed—many in swamps and jungles. It may, perhaps, be of interest if we give a list of these aerodromes with the distances (in kilometres) between each. They are as follows :—Kinshasa—Kimpoko (26)—Mambutu (40)—Langa Langa (30)—Kunsulu (40)—Kwamouth (28)— Lediba (32)—Bokala (45)—Bandundu (35)—Dima (17)—Kasa Yenda (35)—Kilimuana (45)—Mabenga (45)—Eolo (40)— M Panu (30)—Manghay (40)—Lubue (46)—Pangu (20)— Sungula (48)—Ilebo (32)—Pegiangu (38)—Domiango (40)— Ibange Kakesse (30)—Kalamba (40)—Luebo (28). Practi- cally the whole of this route follows river country—the Congo River and its branches, Karsai, Lubefu, etc. Perhaps the most gratifying feature of this service is in the machines to be employed. Some time ago a special compe- tition was held by the Belgian authorities in order to decide upon the best type of machine for the work, as a result of which success fell to Messrs. Handley Page, Ltd., and their new three-engined biplane! This machine, which was described in FLIGHT for May 1 last, is fitted with one Rolls- RovijelJ^Eagde IX " in the nose of the fuselage, and two Smstrong Siddeley " Pumas " on the wings. One of these machines was delivered some time back, and six others are nearing completion. In connection with this Belgian scheme, plans are being prepared for a big flight from Brussels to the Congo. This will be undertaken by the pilot Thieffrv, who will follow the same route as the French expedition to Bangui. We have not, at the time of writing, any further details of this flight. In conclusion, we are forced to ask the question, What about Great Britain ? There, have been rumours of an official flight from England to Cape Town—but only rumours. \ However, the South African Government has decided to (start a 1,000-mile experimental air mail service between Durban and Cape .Town—so that's that! ROYAL AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY Qualifications for A ssociate Fellowship. In view of doubts which appear to exist as to the qualifications required from candidates for Associate Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Council consider it advisable to issue the follow- ing statement as to their^ interpretation of the Regulations. The Regulations provide for the election to Associate Fellowship of :— (a) Those who pass the Society's own examination, or possess an equivalent University or Technical College qualification, followed by two years' practical experience in the application of the science of aeronautics. (b) Those who present a Thesis. c) Those who have very exceptional qualifications or achievements, but do not possess the examination qualifications outlined in (a). In regard to (a) the Council accept the degree or diploma of any recognised University or Technical College at home or abroad, and excuse from the Aerodynamics paper of tbe Society's own Examination holders of Diplomas in Aero- nautics of such Universities or Technical Colleges. In regard to (b) the Council do not insist upon a thesis necessarily being a record of original work, but require it to be of such a nature as to give an adequate idea of the Candidate's knowledge and experience in aeronautics or an allied subject applied to aeronautics. Under the heading (c) the Council have accepted pilots of rigid airships, and aeroplane test and experimental pilots whose work has been, or is likely to be, of value to the progress of technical development. They also have accepted long- standing workers in any branch of aeronautics whose experi- ence entitles them to be considered as " Pioneers." In considering applications under this heading it is not possible to lay down any hard and fast-rule, but each case must be considered individually on its merits. photographing tbe Eclipse from Aeroplane ARRANGEMENTS have been made by the Canadian Royal Air Force for an attempt to take photographs of the eclipse of the sun on Saturday from aeroplanes, which will, if neces- sary, fly above the clouds to do so. Prof. Peters, astronomer of the U.S. Naval Observatory at Lakehurst, N.J., also hopes to obtain photographs of the eclipse from the U.S. airship " Los Angeles " (Z.R.3). Sir Sefton Brancker 111 SIR SEFTON BRANCKER, Director of Civil Aviation, who recently flew to India in a D.H.50 (Siddeley " Puma ") piloted by Alan Cobham, for the purpose of arranging matters in connection with the Imperial Airship service to India, was taken ill with fever at Calcutta, and had to be removed from Government House to hospital. His condition, however, is not serious, and he hopes to resume his flight to Rangoon soon. 42
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