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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0507.PDF
JUNE 21, 1928 conviction that the survey flight would have direct resultson interior air routes. The Colonies on the eastern side of Africa were interested in Imperial lines, and African businessmen were realising the importance of the air for transport of gold and diamonds. Only recently he received the reportof a great mining company, in which it was pointed out the great saving in costs of production that could be obtained byintroducing aviation transport of gold. In recent months the Government had been principally engaged in attemptinga flying route to India, and when it had been organised the next route to which attention must be given was that betweenEngland and Cape Town. He was confident of such a success- ful organisation, and when the time came they would rememberthe flight of Sir Alan Cobham as one of the most interesting and important events in its development. Lady Maud Hoare presented to Lady Cobham a piece ofplate, the gift of Sir Charles Wakefield,' as a souvenir of the flight, preceded by a charming speech. Lady Cobham, acknowledging the gift with gratification,said she was glad she had to speak first, as she was going to say much less than her husband. She had the happiestmemory of their flight around Africa. It was Lady Maud Hoare's example of accompanying her husband upon hislong flight that made her persist in joining her husband on his flight—and she had to thank Lady Maud for that influence. Sir Alan Cobham, who gave a brilliant summary of hisflight, said it had been the greatest utility flight he had ever conducted, and that after his reception that night he felthappy in the thought that they were satisfied with the work they had accomplished in their flight. One thing it had donevery emphatically—proved the value of the all-metal machine. In thanking all and sundry who had so materially assisted tothe success, particularly those who were with him on the boat, he gave high praise to the magnificent generosity and unsel-fish help afforded him by Sir Charles Wakefield, and he wished further to bracket with his success Colonel Warwick Wrightand Capt. Ward, his manager. Sir Harry Brittain, in proposing the toast of ' ImperialAviation," expressed the most enthusiastic views upon the future of aviation, especially British, if only the authoritieswould realise the obligations which their position owed to the furthering of British flying "and give it real support inour Dominions and possessions. Already, he said, the Dominions were beginning to develop air services in theirown great areas, but the links were long in coming. One ideal plan would be a seaplane service connecting up Northand South America, through the West Indian Islands, which ran from British Guiana to the Bahamas. Germany wasafter it to-day, and when he was in the United States some weeks ago he heard that they had meditations on that routetoo. But it was a British arc of islands, and should be linked together by British aeroplanes. Finally, he proposed thatSir Alan Cobham should be given Africa to develop for avia- tion under the Union Jack. Sir Sefton Brancker, in responding, said he was not himselfsatisfied with British civil aviation. But it was up to the House of Commons to set the matter right, and in this theylooked to Sir Harry Brittain and others to see that they did. But, he said, it was coming along very well. No countrywith a Sir Charles Wakefield could heip being air-minded, and that this was gradually materialising he thought wasdemonstrated by the fact that recently Imperial Airways,, at Glasgow, took up 2,500 joy-riders at 10s. per head.Think of that for Scotland ! "The Guests," proposed by Sir Charles Wakefield, was,responded to by Sir*Charles Batho, the Lord Mayor of London,, followed by Lady Heath, who was responsible for a delightfuland earnest speech upon the benefits to be derived by the peoples of the world from the development of aviation. Lord Riddell also replied ; and a tribute to the Chairman-by Lord Blanesburgh brought a very brilliant evening to a close. The members of the flight present included Capt. H. V.Worrall, assistant pilot; Mr. S. R. Bonnett, cinematographer ; and Messrs. C. E. Conway, F. Green, H. Nazar and S. Smith,engineers. Amongst others, besides Lady Wakefield and a very largenumber of ladies who had accepted invitations, were :— Air Vice-Marshal Sir J. W. Higgins, Lord Montagu of Beau-lieu, Sir Francis Newton, High Commissioner for S. Rhodesia, Vicomte Jacques de Sibour, Brig-Gen. Lord Thomson ofCardington, Air Vice-Marshal Sir V. Vyvyan, Sir Herbert Austin, Sir F. M. Baddeley, Sir Hamar Greenwood, Bart.,Sir James Heath, Capt. P. D. Acland, Flight-Lieut. R. R. Bentley, Sqdn.-Commander J. Bird, Maj. H. G. Brackley,Maj. ]". S. Buchanan, Air Commodore J. A. Chamier, Maj. S. Cotton, Capt. R. J. Goodman Crouch, Maj. G. P. Bulman,Lieut-Col. M. O. Darby, Lieut.-Col. 1. A. E. Edwards, Brig.- Gen. Festing, Capt. Gladstone, Brig.-Gen. P. R. C. Groves,Maj. F. B. Halford, Maj. H. Hemming, Capt. Garro Jones, Admiral Mark Kerr, Air Vice-Marshal C. L. Lam be, Capt.A. G. Lamplugh, Air Commodore A. M. Longmore, Wing Commander Maycock, Maj. R. H. Mayo, Commander Perrin,Col. The Master of Sempill, Maj. S. V. Sippe, Sir Josiah Stamp, Rear-Admiral Murray Sueter, Maj. H. E. YVimperis. Col.Warwick Wright, Lieut. de-V. Bos. Messrs. A. J. A. Wallace Barr, F. G. L. Bertram, R. Blackburn, L. S. M. Braund, AlanS. Butler, F. Hedges Butler, A. H. R. Fedden. C. Grahame- White, Basil Johnson, W. Lappin, F. Handley-Page, J.Lankester Parker, G. G. Parnall, J . Laurence Pritchard, A. V. Roe, F. E. N. St. Barbe, Oswald Short. F. Sigrist, T. O. M.Sopwith, S. Spooner, G. Holt Thomas, H. T. Vane, etc. THE ROUND ENGLAND SIDDELEY TROPHY IN view of the fact that the air race for the Siddeley Trophy,which starts from Hendon Aerodrome on July 20, and finishes at Brooklands Aerodrome on the following day, will be thefirst light aeroplane contest round England, the following notes on this event may be of interest. The tour, for which a challenge cup and £250 in prizemoney have been provided by Mr. J. D. Siddeley, C.B.E., should appeal strongly to the sporting amateur pilots ofthe lately-formed but very much alive Light Aeroplane Clubs. Although professional pilots and instructors areexcluded, the aircraft can be the property of the club or of the members of the club, the only restriction being that theempty weight of each machine must not exceed 1,000 lb. The cost of entering is low, half the £5 entry fee being re-funded to all starters. The course measures approximately 1,050 miles, and isdivided into two sections at Glasgow (Renfrew Aerodrome), where the competitors stay the Friday night. On this day'sflight the tourists stop for twenty minutes at Norwich (Mousehold Aerodrome), 95 miles, Birmingham (CastleBromwich Aerodrome), 125 miles, Nottingham (Hucknall Aerodrome), 40 miles, Leeds (Sherburn-in-Elmet Aerodrome),80 miles, a further 120 miles bringing them to Glasgow for the night and making the first day's total flight one of 520miles. On the Saturday the total distance is 540 miles, thetourists starting from Glasgow and stopping for twenty 463 minutes at Liverpool (Hooton Park), 187 miles, Bristo(Filton Aerodrome), 125 miles, Southampton (Hambl) Aerodrome), 68 miles, and Lympne (Lympne Aerodromee100 miles, the finish being approximately 60 miles farther on at Brooklands Aerodrome, Weybridge. In addition to the enforced controls, there is an officialturning point at Blackpool (The Tower), where the com- petitors may be expected to come down low, and whereexciting racing may be seen. As each machine will have its racing numbers painted on the sides of its rudder, it willbe easy for spectators to recognise the competitors at this, turning point. The tour will be arranged as a handicap. The basis willbe the known performance of the various machines, which will be started from Hendon in accordance with the propor-tion of their handicap allotted for Section 1 of the route. The start from Renfrew Aerodrome, Glasgow, will be inaccordance with the proportions of their handicap allotted for Section 2, plus or minus the time gained or lost on theirhandicap the previous day. Passengers are permitted, and landing between controlsdoes not disqualify the aircraft, providing that the same machines and engines are used throughout the event. Entries at ordinary fees close on Friday, June 29, andlate entries at double fees on Friday, July 6. The competing aircraft will be officially inspected and verified on Thursday,Julyl9.
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