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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0958.PDF
DECEMBER 22, 1927 PRIVA FLYING A Section of FLIGHT in the Interests of the Private Owner, Owner-Pilot, and Club Member WHERE THE "MOTHS" GO THE English light aeroplane is venturing upon a world-wide market with considerable success owing to its surprising adaptability to much sterner tasks than those imposed by the private owner, for whom, one supposed, it was primarily produced. There are, in fact, more light aeroplanes sold for commercial purposes than for private flying, whilst in military aviation they are also finding favour. The D.H. " Moth " has established a popularity that has brought its producers a distinct commercial success in these stringent days. There are few Colonies, if any, where it is not installed, and there are many where it now enters with increasing numbers. The first of the big Colonial markets was Australia, which now has between 30 and 40, shared by the Air Force, clubs and commercial concerns, as well as a few private owners, particularly amongst the members of the prominent Sydney Club. All the Australian clubs possess "Moths." These are at Sydney, Brisbane, Long- reach, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth." The Colony has the distinction of being the first country where a light aeroplane was purchased by a newspaper for the regular distribution of its copies, transport of its representatives, and urgent photographs. This refers to the Sydney Sun, which has a " Moth." The first machine bought "purely for mission work will also be flying there soon when the Rev. L. Daniels takes possession of a " Moth " for touring his New- South Wales parish that is larger than England. Maj. Hereward de Havilland, D.S.O., went to Australia some time ago to organise an assembly depot at Melbourne. There is a " Moth " leaving soon for Xew Zealand in the company of Mr. F. D. Mill, who will be the firm's repre- sentative. He intends to carry mails and do instruction and survey work. An " Eagle " camera is being fitted to his machine. Canada This Dominion is also proving a large market for " Moths." The first machine was bought by the Canadian Government and sent on a Hudson Bay expedition to discover navigable channels and locate bases, two of the three found going to the credit of the " Moth." Fokker machines were also engaged in this expedition. Since then, 14 "Moth" seaplanes have been ordered for the Forestry Patrol in the Manitoba and Maritime Provinces ; also 10 for the light aeroplane clubs that are being established at Ontario, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, etc. Two " Gent-Moths " are also to be used by the Royal Canadian Air Force at their training school at Cape Borden. Canada is finding the aeroplane invaluable for the preservation of its great forests against devastating natural causes, such as fire, although this is caused sometimes by campers failing to quench their fires. Before the adoption of the aeroplane for fire-fighting' it took men many days of travel by land and water to locate the scene of an outbreak, and this delay necessarily caused greater disaster and cost. The protection of the forests is a big task, and forestry fire-fighting services have to be maintained. Some provinces possess their own service, some hire companies for the work, whilst others call upon the Canadian Air Force. Ontario is a province with an independent service which has been in the habit of using HS-2L flying-boats. Last year Capt. \V. R. Maxwell, of the Ontario Provincial Government Air Service, visited England and chose " Moths," to experiment them on the patrols in his province. Within a week of his return to Canada he placed a preliminary order for four, and these were put into service in July. At the end of the patrolling season, which usually lasts from about May to October, they had completed 700 hours' flying and had fully justified their choice. They have been normally used for locating the fires, but on occasions when the flying- boats have not been available " Moths " have effectively carried the pump and hose, and thus proved equal to the sterner tasks usually accomplished by the HS-2L's. Survey work and the location of minerals have also been their job, whilst, incidentally, they were found convenient for operating from small lakes, where the flying-boats were not practicable. s- 000,000 FLOWN BY ALL D.H."M0TH5" SINCE THE PRODUCTION OF THE FIRST MACHINE IN FEB 1925. A—B THE AVERAGE DISTANCE FLOWN BY EACH D.H>IOTH" A diagrammatical sketch showing the total performance of all D.H. " Moths " and the average distance flown by each. 866
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