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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0011.PDF
FLIGHT, JANUARY 1, 1932 lb.) ; fuel and oil, 10 970 kg (24,150 lb.) ; crew and their equipment, food, etc., 357 kg. (785 lb.). It will be seen that tha ratio of gross weight to tare weight is 2.11, which is an exceptionally high ratio, the machine carrying more than its own weight in load. The wing loading is, moreover, 13.7 lb./sq. ft., which cannot be regarded as unduly high for a machine ot this type. To have achieved such a ratio of gross to tare weight for so low a wing loading appears something of a feat. Performance tests have not yet been made, but the estimated performance figures include the following: — Maximum speed at sea level, 202 km./h. (125 m.p.h.) ; service ceiling, 4 100 m. (13,450 ft.) ; range against 30 m.p.h. headwind, 3 250 km. (2,000 miles). Mishap to Australian Air Mail ONCE again misfortune has overtaken the Australian National Airways " Xmas Air Mail." Complete over hauls having been completed—in record time—to the Avro 10 Southern Star at the Hamble depot of A. V. Roe, Ltd., the machine, piloted by Mr. G. U. Allan, left Hamble for Croydon on December 21, the day before it was due to start on the return flight to Australia. Unfor tunately, the pilot had to make a forced landing in a field at Crocken Hill, Kent, and in doing so ran into some trees, and damaged the machine—neither he nor the two passengers were injured. It has not been possible to obtain another machine, and so the return flight will have to be postponed until repairs to the Southern Star are effected. A. V. Roe, Ltd., state that these will be com pleted to enable the machine to leave Croydon on January 6. International Congress of Transoceanic Airmen PARTICULARS have been issued by the Royal Italian Aero Club regarding +he Congress of Transoceanic Airmen which it proposed to hold in Rome next May. The object of the Congress is not only to assemble airmen who have flown from continent to continent in heavier-than-air machines, and to listen to reports submitted by them, but also to " examine all matters and problems concerning the possibility of organising regular trans oceanic air traffic." The subject matter of the Congress is divided under four heads, namely, air routes ; suitable stages and landing places ; meteorology ; and wireless telegraphy. The reports may be drafted in one of the seven languages, which include English, recognised by the Congress, but the authors are invited to send a summary in Italian or French to the secretary by February 28. Airmen attending this Congress will be the guests of the Royal Italian Aero Club. Cape Air Mail Arrives "THE special Imperial Airways Christmas air mail to the Cape, which left Croydon on December 9, arrived at Capetown on December 21, a day late. E H m E Airport Tledjr CROYDON F OG was the order of the day the week before Christ mas, and every day we were shrouded in it. The regularity of the services was therefore somewhat interfered with, although some really stout efforts were made by pilots, particularly on December 19, when several machines arrived in almost hopeless conditions, visibility being about 50 yards. The white chalk line has proved its worth to many pilots, when taking off, and services which might otherwise have been cancelled have been able to operate. This line across the aerodrome was the idea of Mr. J. Youell, a well-known pilot of Imperial Airways, and by its use a pilot can keep on a straight course, taking off in a fog, without the least danger of hitting an obstacle. There is but very little of interest to write about this week, as the festive season has naturally seen the sus pension of ordinary activities for a few days, and many of us have taken a well earned rest? I am not so sure about this latter statement, on second thoughts, many familiar faces are looking far from rested, and everyone seems to have a most amazing thirst. Such is the aftermath of Christmas. Christmas Day at Croydon aerodrome was far from attractive, as there was nothing doing at all. The air for once was still, and no ear-splitting roars disturbed the peace of some of the sweet-tempered residents in the district, who were actually seen to smile over their Christmas dinners, but who were all the same annoyed because they could find nothing to complain about. There is no pleasing some people. Boxing Day was like the usual Bank Holiday, plenty of sightseers, and a harvest for the joy-riding companies. Many people took trips with the idea of getting over the effects of the night before, in readiness for the night to come. Sunday also was a profitable day, and machines were hard at it all day long. The Continental routes were not operated for the whole three days, although Imperial Airways were scheduled to do so on Boxing Day and Sunday. They cancelled, however, as weather on the Continent was far from ideal. On Sunday a Mr. Jeffreys, an Australian, left here on a Desoutter, and is flying home in stages to his native land. As far as I can gather there is no intention of breaking or trying to break any records, but simply a means of getting home. Imperial Airways have bought a Desoutter to replace the old DH50, for special charter work. This Desoutter is the machine which has up until this transfer belonged to the British Red Cross Society, and could often be seen about the country. The National Aircraft Factory since it has been sold is rapidly taking on an air of respectability. All the wild undergrowth has been removed, gardens straightened out, roads swept, and a general clean and paint up made. It should now attract the eye of many business firms requiring premises. An estate office has been opened on the estate, where prospective tenants can make the fullest inquiries. The traffic figures for the week were:—Passengers, 510 ; freight, 41 tons. P- B. HESTON AIR PARK /^Tlr^HE authorities at Heston have taken full (^ I advantage of the slackness of the Christmas "Alii- week to have a good drive and finish off, or at ^*^ least get well advanced with the reconstruction work which has up to date been in progress. These alterations will undoubtedly make Heston the most attractive airport in England, and we hope that the coming year will see a continuance of their prosperity. An interesting visitor which arrived on Christmas Eve was a large twin engined Sikorsky amphibian (2 Pratt and Whitney " Hornets "). This aircraft, which is a luxurious air yacht seating six persons as well as the pilot, is the property of Miss Durant, who is on her way to Africa via the Riviera. Her pilot, La Jotte, will be remembered at Heston, as earlier in the year he brought over a Lockheed Vega for the same owner. Such an amphibian as this is an ideal craft for making extended tours of the world. Sleeping accommodation can even be provided, if desired, by lowering the seats to form bunks. They arrived at Le Bourget on December 28. 13
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