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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 0361.PDF
FLIGHT, APRIL 17, 1931 THE IRAQ FLYING CORPS First Unit Starts From Hatfield 'HE kingdom of Iraq is to have a Flying Corps as a branch of its army. So far as we understand the situation, the new flying unit is to be a corps of the army, and not a separate air force, as stated in a number of papers which have become accustomed to the latter term. At any rate, the pilots who have been chosen and trained are army officers and hold military rank. They have all passed through the Military College for Iraq Army officers in Baghdad, and since then have been sent for flying training to Great Britain. First they were sent to Cranwell, and after completing their course there, they were attached to various squadrons of the Royal Air Force for further practical training. One of them, Lieut. Tae, appeared in the group of officers of No. 33 Bomber Squadron which we published in our special R.A.F. Display issue on June 27 of last year. These officers, who had all passed out of the Baghdad College with honours, came over here in 1928, so that they have had a thorough training in the methods and practice of the Royal Air Force. In the meantime. Sqdn.-Ldr. 1'. Warburton, R.A.F., was appointed air adviser to the Iraq Ministry of Defence. Once the officers had achieved competence, the next step was to organise a unit. It was decided to make a humble beginning with a flight of light aeroplanes, and the Gipsjr Moth was chosen as the first standard type. It has the advantage that when the unit is re-equipped with more powerful aeroplanes, the Moths can still be used for training work and other general flying. Five Gipsy Moths were ordered, four of which carry bombs, complete wireless instal- lation and cameras, as well as extra petrol tanks, drinking- water tanks, and other special desert equipment. They have a range of nearly 600 miles, and will be very suitable for light reconnaissance and offensive duties. Five of the six officers who were sent to Great Britain three years ago were selected to fly these three Moths over from England to Baghdad. The five Gipsy Moths of the Iraq Flying Corps which left Hatfield aerodrome on Wednesday, April 8, to fly to Baghdad. They are shown on the ground and flying in formation. (FLIGHT Photo.) At the same time II.M. King Feisul bought a " Puss Moth " for his own private use. The King is no novice in the air, and is well aware of the advantage of being able to make a rapid journey on occasions. No doubt, he has not forgotten the fact that his old friend Col. Lawrence entered the R.A.F. when he had finished his work for Arabia. The King's " Puss Moth " is being flown to Baghdad by Flight-Lieut. G. L. Carter, of the Royal Air Force, who has been put on special duty for three years with the Iraq Government. The six machines started from the De Havilland aerodrome at Hatfield on Wednesday, April 8, the five Gipsy Moths flying in formation. Before the start, Mr. F. T. Hearle, general manager of the De Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd., presented Lieut. Tawad, the officer commanding the unit, with a silver model of a Moth in memory of the function and the birth of the Iraq Flying Corps. Among those who were present at the start were Air Commodore Mitchell and the Iraq Minister to London. The flight is proceeding to Baghdad by easy stages. They made Paris on the first day, and are proceeding via Italy and Greece before crossing the Mediterranean. The latest news of their progress is that the flight arrived at Milan on Friday, April lu, all present and correct. There is no intention of hurrying the journey, and doubtless a little time spent at the towns en route will be good propaganda for the new Flying C rps at Iraq. The pilots of the Iraq Flying Corps. Names, left to right: — Lieuts. Mushtaq, Ali, Aziz, and Tae, Flt.-Lt. G. L. Carter, R.A.F., and Lt. Jawad, O.C. Squadron. Flt.-Lt. Carter is holding a model of a Moth presented by the De Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. (FLIGHT Photo,) 387
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