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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 1280.PDF
FLIGHT, DECEMBER 4, 1931 Just such a one is Wings Over the World, and in its appeal is similar to that excellent series of Boys' Aviation books published by John Hamilton, Ltd. There is a rousing foreword by Capt. Frank Hawks, whose exploits are enough to enthuse any boy. Its con- tents comprise a series of articles, by different writers, dealing with all phases of aviation in every part of the world, and are, for the most part, breezily written in a style which should appeal to most youths from the age of 14 upwards. How to Find Your Way 1V/IAJOR OLIVER STEWART is a prolific writer on*** matters connected with the air, and although he may at times skimp a particular subject, he never fails to makehis books readable. In Cross-Country Flying he gives some of his ownearly experiences of cross-country flying and adapts them to present-day needs. I feel that in his eagerness to treatwith every subject pertaining to cross-country flying the author has been somewhat prone to assume in his readersa knowledge which many amateur pilots do not possess. One cannot, for example, think that he desires his explana-tion of the method by which a compass is swung to be taken word for word as the correct method. Apart from such points, however, there is a, great dealof value in the book which should appeal in particular to the amateur class of pilot who is willing to learnfrom others' experience. The value is greatly increased by the inclusion of a large number of aerial photographs ofaerodromes. These show the aerodrome as it looks to the pilot when he is approaching it, and are a great help inteaching pupils to make good approaches. Aerial Transport AIR TRANSPORT OPERATION seems to follow as •** a natural complement to that admirable handbook on Airports which forms No. 1 of The Harvard City Plan- ning Studies, and no one whose job in life is connected with aerial transport in any form can afford to be with- out it. Although in many ways it is already out of date and would appear to refer to the conditions as they were in the U.S.A. about the latter end of 1929, that does not greatly detract from its value for operators in other coun- tries, as, in any case, it will have to be shorn of much of its American application before the lessons it contains can be adapted to our needs. Every phase and problem appertaining to the operation of commercial aircraft is dealt with, but the subject of Air Mail operation receives pride of place throughout. This, again, may be taken as the American view at that time of the value of commercial aircraft, for it is only very recently that air passengers have been catered for to any great extent in that continent. In keeping with the majority of American literature, the author has sacrificed much in order to be exactingly thorough. In this case, however, he has largely been able to avoid the consequent pitfall of becoming stodgy, and the reader is able to read the book and gain the facts contained—of which there are many valuable ones—with- out wading through a literary morass to get to them. A1 " Let's Help." A Collection of Good Causes, by Sir Charles Bright. George Routledge <~ Softs, Ltd. Price 4s. 6d. net. Choose Your " Good Cause " LTHOUGH only indirectly connected with aviation—by way of the author's associations in this direction in the past—we feel our readers will excuse mention hereof Sir Charles Bright's latest book in view of the nature thereof—especially considering the near approach of theseason of goodwill to all. Let's Help is a book giving an account of many " good causes," their labours andtheir intentions, which may serve to interest people in their work. It is dedicated, by permission, to the Princeof Wales, on account of His Royal Highness being either President or Patron of so many of these organisations.Sir Charles himself has been actively associated with a number of tht: good causes dealt with, which include suchorganisations as The League of Nations Union, The Boys' Brigade, Church Lads' Brigade, Boy Scouts' Association,The Polytechnic, Toe H, British Red Cross Society, Church Army, Dr. Barnardo's Homes, etc. Those of ourreaders, therefore, who, in spite of these hard times, wish to help some good cause or other, will do well to obtain acopy of this book as a guide to their good intentions. <•> The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. The names and addresses of the writers, not necessarily for publication, must in all cases accompany letters intended for insertion in these columns. FLYING IN SIAM [2781] In your last number of FLIGHT (November 27) there appeared an otherwise excellent and readable article on Civil Aviation in Siam but for a slight misunderstand- ing and an unfair remark, probably due to hasty judgment and sweeping condemnation of independent countries of the Far East. No one with but the slightest acquaintance with Bangkok would be so bold as to state that the reason why the Pramane Ground—for this is the name of the open space referred to—was not converted into an aerodrome was due to its being used as a military parade ground! This Pramane Ground, like its sisters the London parks and commons, is practically the only open space within the reach of all in Bangkok for games and recreation, although occasionally military parade or Royal cremation is performed there. Since it would be indeed more than unwise for any foreigner in this country to declare that the reason why Hyde Park is not utilised as an air port is because it is annually used for the Empire Day Demonstration, the same may be said of the remark on the Pramane Ground of Bangkok. Moreover, to lay a charge of inter-departmental friction at the door of all independent countries of the Far East and to regard that as the usual thing, is rather unjust, since, after all, inter-departmental friction and red tape are not wholly Far Eastern monopoly, and no country can honestly claim absolute immunity. The fact that India and British Malaya are both Eastern, not independent, and, in spite of British Administration, does not convince one that they fare any better in that respect. S. K. NlMHANMINNE, M.Sc. Wimbledon Park, S.W.19. November 28, 1931. POBJOY ENGINE PARTS [2782] I have read Mr. A. J. Mollart's letter in yourissue of this week, which now specifies in detail the amount of work on the Pobjoy cylinders for which ourrespective firms were responsible, and if this had been made clear in the first instance no correction from mewould have been necessary. He might have mentioned, however, that out of 360cylinders we did 315 " as a temporary measure." I must now be content, as probably others are, whohave done their best to make a good job of the work entrusted to them by Mr. Pobjoy, to leave Mr. Mollartwith all the credit he has taken for his contribution to the success of the Pobjoy engine, for, after reading the lastparagraph of his letter, there does not seem to be much left for anyone else. Walton-on-Thames, Surrey,November 30, 1931. A.B.C. MOTORS, LTD., T. A. DENNIS. [The above must conclude this correspondence.—ED.] 1202
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