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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0880.PDF
NOVEMBER 17, 1927 THE FLIGHT ROUND AFRICA Luncheon in Honour of Sir Alan Cobham THE Director of Civil Aviation, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Sefton Brancker, presided at a luncheon given in honour of Sir Alan Cobham at the Savoy Hotel on November 15. In proposing the health of " Sir Alan Cobham and Gladys, his wife," Sir Sefton paid a tribute to Sir Alan as a pilot, a navigator, a business man, but most of all as a great organiser. Sir Alan had the particular kind of courage which enabled him to shoulder great responsibilities. As an instance of the esteem in which Sir Alan was held in insurance circles, Sir Sefton read a letter from an under- writer who had not for ten years undertaken aircraft insurance. Owing to the fact that the expedition would be in the hands of Sir Alan Cobham. however, he had agreed to take part of the risk. That, the chairman said, was a business man's testimony to Cobham's efficiency. He under- stood that as a matter of fact the insurance asked for this flight was about the same as that which used to be charged for a sailing vessel going to Australia. Sir Alan Cobham said the flight upon which they were starting was not a spectacular one, but he claimed that it was one of utility. They were going to do their best, by intensive propaganda, to attract the interest of the African public towards the necessity of air communications. It was a true saying that in opening out new territory it was essential to have good communications, as then women could accompany their menfolk, and it was not until that was possible that a country could really be opened up. There was a lot of talk about commercial aviation, and about making aviation pay. In a country like Africa, which was waiting to be developed, it was of small importance whether an air lino paid in itself or not. The important point was that an air line opened the way for developing the country. He gave as an instance of this a railway in Malaya. The building of the railway had resulted in opening up tremendous tracts of land, and these had contributed millions of pounds to the government. Yet the railway itself did not pay, and possibly never would. In referring to his equipment, Sir Alan said that in the Short " Singapore " with its economical Rolls-Royce " Condor " engines he thought he had the best possible equipment for the job. There would be some 40 take-offs and 40 alighting* during the flight, which meant that there would be at least 80 opportunities of making a mistake. He hoped, however, that no mistakes would be made. The publicity given to the flight before the start added greatly to his responsi- bilities, but he was hopeful that they would complete the flight and return with the machine and engines in the same state as when leaving. On this occasion he was glad to say he was taking his wife with him. She was the best secretary he had ever had. and on the flight much of the office work would be done by her. In conclusion, Sir Alan paid a warm tribute to the man who, by his generous support, had made the flight possible. Once more the " Patron Saint of Aviation," Sir Charles Wakefield had come forward with the required financial assistance, and it was significant that when Sir Alan first approached him on the subject Sir Charles's first question was, " Will it be a safe flight ? " his first concern was for the crew. Among those who had accepted invitations to the luncheon were :— Sir Charles Wakefield, Lieut-Col. I. A. E. Edwards (Technical Adviser, Directorate of Civil Aviation) Air Commo- do.e J. L. Forbes, Capt. F. K. Guest, M.P., Air Commodore A. M. Longmore, Wing-Commander R. B. Maycock, Lieut.- Col. J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon. M.P., Lieut.-Col. H. W. S. Outram, Maj. R. E. Penny, Mr. H. E. Perrin, Col. the Master of Sempill (Chairman of the Royal Aeronautical Society), Col. Warwick Wright, Mr Woods Humphrey, Maj. J. S Buchanan and Lieut.-Col. L. F. R. Fell (Air Ministry), Capt. (k>odman Crouch (Airworthiness Department, Farn- Ixirough), and Mr. F. G. L. Bertram (Deputy Director of Civil Aviation). The Short " Singapore " is due to leave Rochester shortly after lunch today, November 17, and will then proceed via London Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Hammersmith Bridge, Kew Bridge, Richmond, Staines and Reading to Winchester, Southampton and Calshot, whence the start will be made for the first stage of the flight—Bordeaux. Sir Alan Cobham will be in command of the expedition, and will have with him Lady Cobham, Capt. H. V. Worrall. D.S.C. (assistant pilot), Messrs. F. Green and C. E. Conway (engineers), and Mr. S. R. Bonnett (cinematographer). R.A.F. Gramophone Courses SPECIAL courses in French, German, Italian and Spanish, recorded for the gramophone by the Linguaphone Institute, have been supplied to education officers of Royal Air Force stations by the Education Department of the Ministry. Twelve stations, including one or two overseas, have now been equipped in this fashion as part of the free course of study offered to any member of the Air Force. o o A NEW AMERICAN AMPHIBIAN : The Loening OL.8, fitted with a 425 h.p. Pratt and Whitney " Wasp "air-cooled radial engine, which recently completed successful trials for the U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. 796
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