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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 0104.PDF
FLIGHT, JANUARY 30, 1931 previous decision. As regards the last part of the question, I would referto replies given on January 21 and to the clear statement which appeared in the Press on the 16th inst. in pursuance of previous public announcementsof Government policy in this matter. Mr. Smithers asked whether he denied using the words quoted in the ques-tion, and would he say what principle prevented the Government from giving sanction to the contest ?Mr. MacDonald said he had already replied to the last part of the question. As to the first part he repudiated the interpretation put on his statement. Awarning was given immediately after the statement was made so as to draw the attention of those interested to the fact that what he (Mr. MacDonald)had said was that he hoped that the British nation would enter into the con- test, not the Government. Replying to Commander O. Locker-Lampson, who asked whether thePrime Minister would receive a deputation upon the subject, Mr. MacDonald said that he wished that a deputation had been sent six months ago. Per-sonally, he was keenly interested in this matter, and the Government waited for 15 months, but nothing was done. Now, at the last moment, withoutany preparation, he was asked to receive a deputation. He would be very glad to receive a deputation if any good could be done by such a course. Mr. Hore-Belisha asked whether, if it were made plain that it was thewish of the House that the Government should support this contest, the Government would reconsider their decision. Mr. .MacDonald—I hope before hon. members talk in that way they willconsider the situation in which we find ourselves. I am as interested in this contest as any member, but I do not feel that the Government are to biameif no British team is entered. On Tuesday evening, January 27, the Prime Ministerreceived a deputation consisting of five members of Parlia- ment, namely, Commander Locker Lampson, Sir PhilmSassoon, Capt. Balfour, Admiral Murray Sueter, and Mr Malone. The question was fully discussed, and finally thi-Prime Minister said that he was willing to reconsider the matter and would make a statement in reply to a question onThursday, 29th inst. Lady Houston's Offer LADY HOUSTON states that she has sent the followingtelegram to the Prime Minister :—" To prevent the Socialist Government being spoil-sports, Lady Houston will be respon-sible for all extra expenses necessary beyond what Sir Philip Sassoon says can be found, so that Great Britain can takepart in the race for the Schneider Trophy." CROYDON WEEKLY NOTES WE have just completed another week of very erraticweather conditions, and although Croydon itself hasbeen comparatively good, the weather outside has been very bad. Tuesday and Wednesday were very bad,especially on the continent, and several services were can- celled. On Wednesday afternoon not one single machinewas able to get through to Croydon after 14.00, and all lines had to make Penshurst their terminal point for the night,except one Air Union machine, which managed somehow to get as far as Addington, which is about three miles fromCroydon. He must have found it a tricky business finding a suitable landing place, and the field he did get into was farfrom ideal. To get out again it was necessary for a gang of men to push the machine to one extreme end of the field,and then hold on until the pilot got his tail up and the engines all out, before letting him finally go. Some uneasiness wasfelt during the gale on Wednesday night for all these machines were pegged out in the open. There were five at Penshurstand the one at Addington. However, they all stood the strain O.K. On Friday all services were cancelled, with theexception of the KLM and DLH. Saturday there was a decided improvement in the weather, except for strong winds,and all services flew to schedule. Another sample of the sensationalist methods of the dailypress was seen when they were giving the story of the Air Union " Liore," which forced landed at Smarden. Referringto the gold on board they gave a sensational account of how the guard were armed, and about the risk that was run andhow they guarded the gold with their lives. Actually all that happened was that the steward informed Croydon ofthe forced landing, a car was sent to pick up the gold, which was brought to London and placed on the train for Paris.Naturally, precautions were taken, and members of the crew stood by waiting for the arrival of the car, but for thePress to make a " wild west " yarn out of it is ridiculous. Suppose anyone did manage to get away with a box of gold,what could he do with it ? He would not find a market for it, and he would need to be pretty muscular to walk off very farwith a concentrated weight of 120 lb. in a heavy case. Mr. O. P. Jones arrived at Cairo on Thursday with G-EBLO,and Mr. Rogers started with the second machine G-EBOZ on the 24th. One would very much like to know how ImperialAirways are going to fare on their European routes this summer. The third Argosy G-EBLF is scheduled for Africaon completion of overhauls. This leaves the company with only four Argosies, one D.H. 50, two W. 10's and the Westland 4. None of these can be hardly counted for the continentaltraffic, so actually they only have four Argosies in commission. They are no doubt banking on the HP. 42's being delivered,but judging by reports there is little or no hope of their delivery early this summer. I am not at all good at puzzles,and I should like to know how four Argosies are going to operate their summer European services. Unless a miraclehappens one can see some very annoyed and disgruntled passengers. One can forecast delays of some hours on theirservices, and if one machine fails, what can prevent a hopeless chaos. In my humble opinion, " Imperial Airways " arctrying to run before they can walk. It's all very nice to try and spread their tentacles over the whole empire, but theymust get the flying stock first, otherwise their name will become a huge joke, instead of a household one. The travel-ling public will not be put out, as " Imperial Airways " will find to their cost unless they are very careful.Mr. Campbell Black of the Wilson Air Lines, Nairobi, Kenya Colony, arrived in England on Wednesday on anAvro V. Like all the others, he was unable to reach Croydon, and had to land in a field at Nutfield, where one believesthe machine got bogged. Up to the time of writing he has not been able to get the machine to Croydon. As is wellknown, he has made numerous trips from Kenya and back during the last few years, and seems to think no more of itthan flying to Paris and back. These are the kind of flights that really show great commercial possibilities.The levelling of the aerodrome still proceeds, and after many years- of having the hump, the ground is getting quitegood tempered. (Others should follow suit.) One does not hear any report of the old Roman road being unearthed, as itit reputed to run clean across the aerodrome from South te North, presumably the old Watling Street. Perhaps it willbe as well to let it lay at rest, otherwise we should be overrun with white-whiskered old professors hunting for relics of thepast, and absent-mindedly getting in the path of arriving aircraft. One is glad to report that the epidemic of Croydon measlesis slowly subsiding, and also that the gentlemen who wear berets or " ringworm caps " continue to sport them, althoughthe famous yellow one has so far failed to appear. Comdr. Kidston's Lockhead " Vega " has not yet beentested—the weather has been rather bad for such work at Croydon. _^ The traffic figures for the past week were : passengers 25bfreight 29 tons. P. B- MODELS THE MODEL AIRCRAFT CLUB (T.M.A.C.) Members please note that the Indoor Flying Meetingat The Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, S.W., which was to be held on Wednesday, March 11, has been postponedto Thursday, March 12. The Model Aircraft Club, in conjunction with The SailplaneClub, are holding a joint Dance at the Suffolk Galleries, Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, S.W.I, on Saturday, March 7, 1931, for thepurpose of assisting the funds of the two clubs. Members and friends are invited to apply for tickets asearly as possible, price 2.?. 6d. each, from the Hon. Secretary,. A. E. Jones, 48, Narcissus Road, West Hampstead, N.W.6. 4th Wing, T.M.A.C., Hackney Marsh.—On Sunday, January 25, a gusty wind of about 35 m.p.h. prevailed all the morning. 12 fuselage models were successfully flown, however- Thanks largely to assiduous practice in all ^msmbers were able to get satisfactory trim, and launch111? confidently into the wind, obtained some very spectacuuhigh flights, one low-wing machine landing far beyond T River Lea. A large American-type "high-wing" gave a parti•;ular\ fine display of wind fighting. A certain amount of damage was inevitable, but the ma11, good fights obtained were a great compensation. 98
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