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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 1140.PDF
Indo-China, Siam, Victoria Point and Penang, which must have brought the grand total mileage up to about 30,000 miles, or 120,000 machine-miles, or 240,000 engine-miles. Looked at in another way, if it is assumed that the average cruising speed throughout the cruise was 75 m.p.h., and it is doubtful if it was more than that what with headwinds, etc, the eight Napier " Lion " engines have each run something like 4C0 hours, or a total for the eight engines used of 3,200 engine-hours. As far as we have been able to ascertain, this was done without serious trouble. Truly, a remarkable testimony to " The engine which never lets the R.A.F. down " ! Thus, from the technical side it can truly be said that the great cruise to the Far East has been a success. The political effect cannot well be assured and summed up in a few words, but that it has been considerable is not to be doubted. And that it should have been the flying-boat type which so successfully " showed the flag " is not only a matter for gratification to a journal which, like FLIGHT, has for many years consistently advocated the development of the flying-boat, but is also, we think, highly significant and an excellent augury for the future of British Empire air communications. To Group-Captain Cave-Browne-Cave and the crew of the four machines, the greatest possible credit is due for having successfully accomplished a task that cannot by any means have been an easy one, and the Royal Air Force and the British Empire are proud of them. To the Supermarine and Napier firms, whose machines and engines made the cruise possible, British aviation also owes a debt of gratitude for having contributed their share towards this convincing demonstration of the high qualities of British aviation materid. * • <• It is only a very short time ago that ^ne one was reluctantly compelled to admit Record that not a single world's record stood to the credit of Great Britain. Now we hold no less than seven world's records, and of these, six stand to the credit of the De Havilland Aircraft Company, the seventh being Flight-Lieut. Webster's speed record of 456-522 km. per hour over 100 km. in the Schneider race. The six world's records held by the De Havilland firm are : Three speed records on the " Hound " m m Farewell Dinner to Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game SIR SAMUEL HOARE, Secretary of State for Air, gave a farewell dinner at the Army and Navy Club, on December 5, to Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game, K.C.B., D.S.O., Air Member for Personnel of the Air Council, on the occasion of his impending retirement. In addition to Sir Philip Game there were present the Air Council, a number of senior officers and officials of the Air Ministry, and the Air Officers Com- manding, Royal Air Force, in the United Kingdom. The following are the names of those present:—Sir Philip Sassoon, Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Hugh Trenchard, Air Vice-Marshal Sir John Higgins, Sir Walter Nicholson, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Ivo Vesey, Air Vice-Marshal F. R. Scarlett, Air Vice-Marshal C. L. Lambe, Air Vice-Marshal Sir John Steel, Air Vice-Marshal C. A. H. Longcroft, Air Vice-Marshal D. Munro, Air Vice-Marshal F. C. Halahan, Mr. H. W. W. Me Anally, Mr. B. E. Holloway, Mr. J. A. Webster, Air Commodore H. C. T. Dowding, Air Commodore T. C. R. Higgins, Air Commodore A. E. Borton, Air Commodore E. R. Ludlow Hewitt, Air Commodore A. M. Longmore, Air Commodore C. L. N. Newall, Air Commodore I. M. Bonham- Carter, The Reverend R. E. V. Hanson, Air Commodore J. A. Chamier, Group Captain P. L. Herbert, Group Captain DECEMBER 13, 1928 with Napier Series XI engine, carrying 500 kg. and 1,000 kg. useful load. The pilot in all three nights was Capt. Broad. The other three are light 'plane records, of which the altitude record for two-seaters is held by Capt. de Havilland, the speed record over 100 km. by Mr. Alan S. Butler, and the speed record over 100 km. in the single-seater class of light aeroplane, held by Capt. Broad on the " Tiger-Moth." We wonder if it is generally realised that the De Havilland Aircraft Company is unique in many ways, and how much of the success of the firm is due to the keen personal interest taken by every member of the staff in the welfare of the company. The chief test pilot of the firm holds four world's records. The technical director holds one, and now the chairman of the company holds one. Moreover, it seems that if ever a firm practised what it preaches it is the De Havilland Company. The chairman, the technical director, the chief engineer, and all the members of the sales department fly regularly. Wherever there is a flying meeting, the company is always well represented both by machines and personnel. And last but by no means least, the womenfolk of the company are just as keen as their men. The wife of the technical director accompanied her husband on his altitude record flight. The wife of the chairman of the company was the passenger on Friday last, when a new speed record was established. Thus it seems that the De Havilland company holds, in addition, a number of records that are not recognised by the F.A.I. ! While on the subject of records, there is a chance that yet another may be established in the not too distant future. The daily press has disclosed a good deal concerning the new attempt on the duration and distance records, although the aviation press has kept faith with the aircraft company and the Air Ministry by refraining from publishing any particulars. It seems, however, to be an open secret now that the new Fairey monoplane with Napier engine has left Northolt, and is at Cranwell, where the surface is such as to make the aerodrome particularly suitable for taking off a heavily loaded machine. Fuel consumption tests are to be carried out, and if these come up to expectations, as there is little doubt that they will, an attempt may be made when the weather conditions are suitable to beat the duration record. N. D. K. McEwen, Group Captain P. B. Joubert de la Ferte, Group Captain A. L. Godman, Group Captain R. P. Ross and Mr. C. LI. Bullock. Air Commodore Chamier Retires AIR COMMODORE J. A. CHAMIER, Director of Technical Development to the Department of Supply and Research. Air Ministry, has relinquished his commission to join Vickers, Ltd., as the Technical Director of Vickers Aircraft and the newly allied firm of Supermarine Aviation Works, South- ampton. Lieut .-Col. I. A. E. Edwards Retires THE resignation is reported of Lieut.-Col. I. A. E. Edwards, Chief Technical Adviser, Directorate of Civil Aviation. It is understood on good authority that Lieut-Col. Edwards is joining the new company formed to carry out a scheme in civil aviation. Reid Aircraft Co. Amalgamates THE Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Co., Incorporated, New York, is merging with the Reid Aircraft Co., of Montreal, which produces the Reid " Rambler " all-metal light aero- plane. The directorate is to be two-thirds Canadian and the capitalisation £1,500,000. The Reid aerodrome and factory covers 176 acres. 1046
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