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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0804.PDF
NOVEMBER 4, 1926 it. We make no apology for taking up so much space with " heavy " matter, since the subject is one the vital importance of which cannot well be exaggerated. As we have repeatedly pointed out in these columns, there is one way, and one way only, in which aviation -an be made of the greatest possible service to the British Empire, and that is by planning it on Imperial lines. In his speech Sir Samuel Hoare pointed out that although he was on that occasion confining himself to the civil side of the question, the civil and military aspects were inextricably connected, and that the development of Imperial air lines, whether by aeroplane or airship, was a vital factor in the problem of Empire defence. He outlined what had already been accomplished at home, not, as he said, because he underestimated what had been done in Australia and Canada, for instance, but because he was for the moment taking London as the terminus of the principal Empire air routes. And he asked whether it would be possible for the Government of India to consider the extension of the Cairo-Karachi route, which will be opened next year, on to Bombay and Calcutta, and for the Government of Burma to carry it a stage farther by extending the service to Rangoon. At the far end of the route Sir Samuel suggested that the Air Force of Australia might, at any rate experimental] ', join up with an occasional service. Similarly in Africa, the Secretary of State for Air suggested that linking up with the experi- mental service being organised by a private company with the help of the Governments of Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan, and continuing the Khartum-Kisumu route, lines should be established in the north between Egypt and Khartum, and in the south between Kisumu and Cape Town. He expressed willingness on the part of the Mother Country to arrange for a certain number of flights to carry mails and passengers by K.A.F. machines between Egypt and Khartum, and asked whether South Africa would consider the making of a certain number of flights by the South African Air Force between Cape Town and Uganda. In the meantime we at home should be interesting ourselves in the link between London and Egypt. Evidently pending the establishment of airship services, although he did not definitely say so, work is progressing on seaplanes and Sir Samuel Hoare remarked that already considerable progress had been made with the development of flying boats suitable for the passage of the Mediterranean. It is now several years ago that FLIGHT first pointed out the necessity for encouraging seagoing flying boats or seaplanes capable of operating on Empire air routes, and we are there- fore extremely gratified to have the assurance of the Secretary of State for air that this important subject is being kept well in mind and that progress is being- made. The seaplane is a necessity to the first stage of an " all-red air route operated by heavier-than-air craft, and we do know what seaplanes are capable of, while we still have to discover the capabilities of the airship. During the discussion following Sir Samuel Hoare's speech practically all the delegates expressed their willingness to help, Lord Winterton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for India, in particular being emphatic in his statement that the view of the Indian Air Board was that the Government of India should claim a right to participate as a principal in any contracts for air services in which India was interested. During his speech Sir Samuel Hoare made the most valuable suggestion that if possible arrangements should be made for holding, between now and the next Imperial Conference, an Imperial Air Conference at some suitable centre in the Empire. We sincerely trust it will be found possible to carry this suggestion into effect. Altogether the discussions that have so far taken place leave one with the feeling that at last we are on the right track and are making up our minds to tackle aviation Imperially. A 1,300-H.P. FLYING BOAT : This photograph shows the new Dornier '* Super-Wai," fitted with two Rolls- Royce " Condor " engines, in flight over Lake Constance, where it recently underwent its first flying tests. This machine has seating accommodation for 21 passengers in two separate cabins. An idea of the size of the machine may be formed when it is pointed out that the wing span is 28-5 m. (93 ft. 6 in.) and the wing area 143 sq. m. (1,540 sq. ft.). 712
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