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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0178.PDF
MARCH 8, 1928 PRIVAI FLYING A Section of FLIGHT in the Interests of the Private Owner, Owner-Pilot, and Club Member FLYING CLUBS OF SOUTH AFRICA The Johannesburg Flying Meeting LAST week we told how Lady Heath—who is touring South Africa in her Avro " Avian "—in company with Maj. Miller and Lieut. Bentley, arrived at Johannesburg. We also gave some particulars of the Johannesburg Light 'Plane Club, and mentioned that this Club held a very successful flying meeting last January. Below, our readers will find the " story " continued, in which the happenings at Johannes- burg during this meeting, etc., are recorded. When Lady Heath arrived in Johannesburg, as reported last week, she was accorded an enthusiastic welcome, and the aerial visitors were, for the first week, the guests of Dr. Samuel Evans, Chairman and Managing Director of the Crown Mines. On January 24, Mrs. Evans gave a reception to the Light 'Plane Club members, which was followed bv a short talk on aviation as represented by the Light Aeroplane Clubs at home and by a recruiting campaign for members for the Air League. The Johannesburg Club held a dinner and dance—a wonderful party—-the next day, and on January 26, there was a civic reception and lunch given by the Civil Air Board at Pretoria. This was attended b3~ Sir Pierre and Lady Van Ryneveld, the Mayor and Mayoress of Pretoria, and many other prominent people. It is probable that, as a result of this reception, a light aeroplane club will be tormed at Pretoria, the Mayor being quite enthusiastic on the matter. That night a lantern lecture on " British Aviation " was given by Lady Heath at the Carlton Hotel, Johannesburg, at which the Mayor presided ; there were about 300 present at this lecture. After a visit to the Gold Refinery with Dr. Evans, Lady Heath and others were occupied on January 27, in discussing the possibility of a municipal aerodrome with the authorities of Germiston and Dr. Raikes, President of the University (and late Professor of Aeronautics at Oxford). Germiston has a very large tract of land available—about 400 acres—and is the biggest railway junction of South Africa. As it is only 7 miles from Johannesburg it would be the ideal situation for the largest Civil aerodrome in the Union— quite apart from the special application of air transport to the gold mining industry. Saturday, Jan. 28, was joy-riding day, many passengers being taken up, but the main event of the week was the big flying meeting at the Baragwanath aerodrome, arranged by the Johannesburg Club in honour of Lady Heath's visit. It was the first of its kind ever held in South Africa, and The Johannesburg Fl ying Meeting: An interested group roundLadyHeath's " Avian." From left to right : Mr. A. N. Other; Capt. Bellin, Instructor to the Jo'burg Club, Major Miller (in white cap) ; Glen Bateman, the first soloist of any S. African flying Club ; Rod Doug- las, Secretary of Jo'burg Club ; and behind Lady Heath (in cockpit), Lieut. Bentley. attracted the largest crowds on record for a Johannesbiug event. There were about 6,000 cars present alone, and at first some- THE JOHANNESBURG FLYING MEETING : Lady Dalrymple, Vice-President of the Johannesburg Light'Plane Club. Standing behind her is Lord Heath. 158
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