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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 1275.PDF
FLIGHT, DECEMBER 4, 1931 CROYDON •" 111—'HE news of Bert Hinkler's latest achievement in\D III crossing the South Atlantic alone in a Puss III Moth " was received here with the greatestenthusiasm. Although of recent years his visits to Croydon have been very few and far between, he is,nevertheless, as popular as if he were one of our happy family. The unassuming way in which he tackles a jobis always remarkable. Before anybody knows what his intentions are he has done the job. This latest flightundoubtedly ranks with some of the greatest flights undertaken, and it was all-British. Well done, Sir, andaccept the heartiest congratulations of Croydon, and may you continue to uphold the traditions of aviation in theBritish Empire. On Monday, when the Sabena machine arrived fromBrussels, a large bird was found firmly embedded in the leading edge of the wing. The Fokker wing is all wood,so some idea of the force of the impact can be well imagined. The only parts of the bird that were visiblewere its wing tips, its fuselage was right inside the wing. During the week we had an American visitor on aStinson Junior monoplane, on which the usual American finish is1 very noticeable. The machine is of the cabintype, witli high wing supported by struts. A Townend ring encircles the " Wasp " engine. Wheel brakes andtail wheel are fitted. The third H.P. 42, Hanno, was due to leave for Cairoon Sunday, but fog settled down early and remained all day. Saturday was also very foggy during the morningand several services had to land at Penshurst until after lunch. Sunday was a total wash-out, and no businesswas done at all. These are the sort of week-ends that are not over popular with the joyriding companies, althoughtheir expenses still go on the same. Both Surrey Flying Services and the Rollason Aviation Co. are busy, however,with pupils for both "A" and " B " licences. The new order concerning the night-flying flights from Croydon toLympne or vice versa has not been received too well—it is thought that the cost to a pupil will be very high forhiring a machine for such a hazard. And how much more will the insurance people want? The import and customs staffs were kept working atfever pitch throughout the week to clear the freight that lias been dumped recently. No less than five special LuftHansa machines arrived from Berlin, and, in addition, several Sabena machines with freight, also from Germany,as well as Belgium. All the Air Union machines from Paris were also loaded to capacity. Goods consisted ofalmost everything it was possible for aircraft to carry. A marked difference can be seen in the quantities arrivingsince Monday. On the latter day and Tuesday consider- able fog entirely upset the airways. The airport ofLympne is having a very busy time these days, for as I write I understand that eight air liners are there, includingtwo Imperial machines of the " Hannibal " class. What will the nautical gent, say when he knows that PortusLympneus is capable of getting on without him? Traffic figures for the week were:—Passengers, 521 ;freight, 79 tons. P. 15. Command of Tangmere Station WING COM. J. B. GRAHAM, M.C., A.F.C., has com-pleted his three years' tenure of the command of Tangmere Station, the home of the two interceptor fighter squadrons,Nos. 1 and 43. He has been succeeded by Wing Com. R. M. Drummond, D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C., from Mansion.The Rt. Hon. F. E. Guest ON relinquishing the command of No. 600 (City ofLondon) (Bomber) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, Squadron Leader F. E. Guest has been promoted to thehonorary rank of Air Commodore. " Waghorn Memorial Fund "" IN view of a geneial wish expressed by the friends and admirers of the late Fit. Lt. H. R. D. Waghorn.A.F.C., that his memory be perpetuated in some form, a Committee, consisting of the members of the 1929Schneider Trophy Race, under the Chairmanship of Air Vice Marshal A. M. Longmore, C.B., D.S.O., have decidedthat a Memorial Portrait hung in the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, would be a fitting tribute to one withsuch a brilliant but meteoric career. All subscriptions should be forwarded to Fit. Lt. J. I. T. Jones, Hon.Secretary, Headquarters, No. 1 Air Defence Group, Royal Air Force, 145, Sloane Street, Sloane Square, S.W.I, andcheques should be made payable to " Waghorn Portrait Fund." Air Services : Voluntary Renunciation of Emoluments THE Chairman of the Aeronautical Research Committeehas notified the Air Council that the non-official members of the Committee have voluntarily agreed to surrender10 per cent, of the fees due to them for the next year. There are also many other cases in which medical officersand others in receipt of fees for services rendered to the department have either willingly accepted or voluntarilyproposed the surrender of a percentage of these fees. The Air Council desire to record their appreciation of thepubiic spirit shown by all concerned in this connection, and in other cases in which officers and others, both inthe Air Ministry and elsewhere, have offered to renounce emoluments of varying amounts in relief of the exchequer.For example, a civil surgeon has resigned his fees for certain operations conducted by him, and in another casean officer of the Royal Air Force Reserve of Officers resi- dent abroad has surrendered his annual retaining fee. An International Air Race ?A SUGGESTION that an international air race in placeof the Schneider Contest be instituted has been made in the Corriere della Sera of Milan. The paper states thatboth France and Italy intend to continue high-speed flying, and an official announcement by the Italian Air Ministrylays stress on this form of development as being most valuable to both pilots and designers. A New " Model " ClubIN that city of " cranks " and " idealists," as critics habitually speak of the inhabitants of Welwyn GardenCity, Herts, a model aeroplane club has been formed, and its enthusiastic juvenile and adult members crowd theclear atmosphere with some very promising models every Sunday morning. The club's inspiration is Mr. Burkitt,of Tinker's Hill, in that city, who in the past supplied several large London stores with popular models. High-Speed Pilot to Lecture SQD. LDR. A. H. ORLEBAR, D.F.C., the Captain ofthe English Schneider Trophy Team, has promised to address the members of the Hornsey (North London)Young Men's Christian Association on Monday, Decem- ber 7, at 8 p.m., on " High-Speed Flying." The lecturewill be illustrated by cinematograph films and lantern slides. Col. The Master of Sempill is acting as chairman. Aero Club de France Medal THE Aero Club de France is offering a medal, to beawarded by a Commission of Bibliography, for the best work on aviation published during the year outside France.Authors or publishers desirous of submitting their works are requested to forward two copies before December 31,1931, to Commission de Bibliographie et d'Histoire, Aero Club de France, 35, rue Francois ler, Paris. Sale of Waddon Factory THE War Office has sold the National Aircraft Factoryat Waddon to Mr. A. Maitland Kish, who acted on behalf of Town Investments, Ltd., of which he is chairman.The sale price has not been disclosed. The factory covers an area of about 25 acres. After the Armistice it wasleased to the Aircraft Disposal Co., Ltd., and was used for the sale of surplus war material. The sheds adjoiningCroydon aerodrome belong to the Air Ministry and are not included in the deal. 1197
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