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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0959.PDF
DECEMBER 22, 1927 and capable of doing 4J-hour patrols, which is presumably sufficient for the purpose. As they are also so much more economical, it appears as though they will eventually supersede the flying-boats. This larger competitor was originally an American war-time pusher machine, put into quantity production by the United States Navy, and mostly constructed by the Curtiss Co. and the Standard Aero Co. It was designed for coastal patrols, accommodated a crew of four, was fitted with a single 330 h.p. Liberty " engine, and could carry about 150 galls, of petrol. The maximum speed was 91 m.p.h., and minimum speed 53 m.p.h. It was a development of the " F boats," but on smaller lines. The HS-2L boats operating the forestry patrols have been very expensive, the petrol consumption alone amounting to the high rate of 22 galk. an hour, which is over five times the amount consumed by the " Moth." This is a glaring difference. They are said to cruise at 62 m.p.h. and have a range of five hours, so that their all-round perfor- mance is not superior to the smaller-powered machine. Apparently their one advantage is the ability to carry a bigger load. As a result of the first year's experiment, Ontario has ordered six more " Moths " for the next season ; so that it seems as though this light aeroplane will at least supersede the expensive flying-boats in this particular area. Other purchasers of the machine in Canada include a small company named Dominion Airways, Ltd., of Vancouver, who •use it for conveying passengers and mails and doing patrols ; and Western Canadian Airways and the Laurentine Air Ser- vice, Who will use them for similar work. Another customer was Mr. Holley, of Winnipeg, who employs his " Moth " on his flying school. Incidentally, he was the pilot who taught Sir Alan Cobham to fly. This completes the range of the machine in the Dominion up to the present. The future in this quarter seems promising. Mr. St. Barbe, the de Havilland Company's business manager, is now in Canada, superintending the formation of a distributing base which may eventually develop into a construction base. He is expected home shortly before Christmas. In the South Whilst we are in the new world we will trace the path of the " Moth " there to the end. Coming south, we find two in America, and then we have to go as far south as the Bahama Islands, off the Florida coast, before we pick up the thread again. A syndicate has been formed to popularise the Bahamas as a holiday resort for the winter months, and it intends to use two " Moth " seaplanes on a ferry service between the islands and Miami, on the coast of Florida, which will start In February. A well-known personage in aviation in this country is one of the leading figures in the scheme. In the Argentine there are two " Moths," and a third is on its way to the de Haviliand representative, Maj. Shirley Kingsley. In Chile the agents, Messrs. Morrison and Co., have one at Valparaiso. Africa This colony has created a comparatively big demand for aircraft this year of the light aeroplane class. About 18 " Moths " are there already. The first one was taken out by Maj. Miller, who has done much to popularise flying in South Africa, and will, in particular, be remembered by FLIGHT readers for his fine 8-day tour of the Union this year with a journalist in his light aeroplane. The first of the clubs here to buy a " Moth" was Johannesburg, for whom a second is on the way now. Other clubs who have already favoured the machine are Durban and East London. A syndicate has three for air taxying. Mr. J. H. Veasey, a merchant of Johannesburg, has ordered one for his personal use. The Scottish Flying Club Opened ON December 3 the official opening of the Scottish Flying Club took place at Moorpark Aerodrome, Glasgow. The machines first used were the club's own " Moth," and Air Commodore J. Weir's private machine, a D.H. 51. The demand for flights from the public became so heavy, however, that the Marquis of Douglas and Clydesdale lent his "Moth" for the occasion. The first passengers were Bailie Mrs. Bell, of Glasgow, and Mr. J. Buyers Black, hon. secretary of the Scottish branch of the Air League of the British Empire. For two hours joy-riding went on continuously, the charge being 5s. per flight. Women were in the majority in the stream of passengers. A few instruc- tional flights were also given to some club members. The membership list has been closed at 120 pilot members, owing to one machine only being available at present. It was announced during the afternoon that David Carlaw and Sons (Ltd.), mechanical engineers, of Glasgow, had Rhodesian Aviation Co., formed to popularise flying in the promising colony of Rhodesia, also has a machine on the way. When it arrives at Durban it will be flown to Bulawayo by Capt. Mail, A.F.C., with Mr, A. G. Hay as passenger. A keen interest in aviation prevails in Kenya too, where three " Moths " will be shortly, if they are not alreadv there. The East So far, only two have gone to India, those which Capt. N. Stack, A.F.C., and his companion, Mr. B. Leete, A.F.C., flew out on their memorable flight from England. In Japan the Japanese Army imported one " Moth," whilst in Singapore there is the world's first seaplane club, which will use two " Moth " seaplanes when it starts flying in February. It has been formed by the Singapore Ex-Fiying Services Associa- tion. Europe Turning our survey on Europe, we discover that two machines went to Germany during the year and arrangements have since been completed for production there by a German company at Cassel, who are laying down a programme of 20, seven of which are ordered. In Denmark they have three machines, two of them owned by a Danish newspaper company which found them extremely valuable for publicity purposes. The third " Moth " there is possessed by a private owner. Three also will be Sweden's share when a civil flying school starts there soon, organised by Aero Materiel A.B. One machine was recently delivered to Finland by Capt. Broad, and two were lately sent by air to Italy, piloted by Mr. Alan Butler and Capt. Reeve. The Spanish Royal Aero Club has placed an order for two, and its president, Duke Estremera, one, which will be for his personal use. Their neighbour, Portugal, harbours a private owner of a " Moth." Coming back to England, we deal with ourselves last because it is always the polite thing to do, of course, and because gossip about others is usually more interesting. Another reason is that we are discussing what is common knowledge practically. " Moths " are getting as thick as thieves here, although they are not up to any nefarious work. The public is beginning to conceive aeroplanes in terms of a " Moth." It is interesting to note that the first Air Force to favour the machine for service use was the Irish Free State Air Force, which ordered four of the Mk. I type. These are now being replaced by the type fitted with the Mk. II " Cirrus." Among the clubs here, London has 4, Lancashire 3, New- castle 2, Midland .2, Hampshire 3, Bristol 2, Scotland 1, and Norwich 1. The de Havilland school at Stag Lane uses six. Our own Air Force has an order placed for 20, which will be attached to Communication Squadrons. The Service already possesses several. Finally, we come to the private owners, of whom 30 own " Moths." Summary We have now traced the progress of this light aeroplane throughout the world covering the period from the time when the first model was flown in February, 1925. During this time the machines have, collectively, completed 2,000,000 miles flying. The present rate of production has crept up to four a week and orders in hand will take until nearly the middle of April next to execute. Methods of production are continuously being evolved which will, in time, have a favour- able effect on the sales price. All parts are standardised and there is always a large stock of spares ready. The demand has meant the establishment of a department devoted entirely to the construction of the machine at the Stag Lane aerodrome. The output this year has doubled that of last year, and it is expected the output next year will double that of this year. contributed /150 to a fund for the club. Sir Sefton Brancker paid a visit to Glasgow recently, and spoke on behalf of the club. He said that the Government desired to assist the clubs, which had now a roll of 800 flying members, 750 non-flying members, and therefore 1,550 people in close touch with aviation. They had also produced 170 pilots. Sir Sefton also expressed the view that there would be a great demand for aeroplanes for air transport, and that the nation which possessed facilities would reap a rich reward. Lord Weir, president of the club, appealed for financial support. Development in Scotland AN aeroplane club for North Scotland with headquarters at Inverness is a project being put forward by Mr. F. Smedley, who recently went to Inverness from Manchester. It is stated that the Blackburn Aeroplane Co. proposed to send a " Bluebird " to the town for demonstration purposes. The area is said to provide excellent landing grounds. 867
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