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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 1125.PDF
FLIGHT, NOVEMBER 10, 1932 • - ••: :.:ri..y:.;::'. Avro " Lynxes ,: of The University Air Squadron. The University Crest can be clearly seen. (FLIGHT Photo.) Oxford Squadron's New Home •ANY years ago Socrates, a learned Greek philosopher and sage, was highly criticised, even satirized, for being too much in the air metaphoric ally, but nobody will have anything but admiration for a modern learned sage, the Rev. F. J. Lys, M.A., Provost of Worcester and Vice- Chancellor of Oxford University, who, on the morning of Thursday, Novem ber 3, took to the air physically, and flew from Upper Heyford to the new aerodrome at Shippon, near Abingdon, the new home of the University Air Squadron. It is interesting to note that by this action he made history, for never before has a Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, in his official capacity, used aerial transport. The new aerodrome must surely be one of the pieasantest in England from a pilot's point of view, for it is large, flat, and possesses excellent approaches from all directions. The new turf looked luxuriantly green and was well brightened by a kindly sun. At 12.20 the Air Officer Command ing-in-chief, Sir Geoffrey Salmond, arrived from Northolt in a 24 squad. Fairy HI F, which looked very smart and was fitted with the new Dunlop aero wheels, piloted by Fit. Lt. Sylvester ; he was met LORD LONDONDERRY : Secretary of State for Air arriving in an Avro " Trainer." (FLIGHT Photo.) by Air Vice-Marshal Sir J. Webb- Bowen, commanding the Wessex bombing area, Wing Com. G. W. Robarts, commanding the Abingdon R.A.F. station, and other officers. A few minutes later the Vice-Chancellor arrived in an " Atlas " machine, be longing to the University Air Squadron, and piloted by Wing Com. Park, the squadron's chief instructor. An escort was provided by a forma tion of five Avro " Lynxes " also be longing to the University Air Squadron. The formation being led by Sqd. Ldr. Mellersh, who had as passenger the University Registrar, Mr. Douglas Veale. The Vice-Chancellor's machine taxied up to where the R.A.F. officers were waiting to receive him, but when Wing Com. Park switched off the engine, the Vice Chancellor seemed loth to leave the machine, and some few minutes elapsed before he could be persuaded to climb out on to terra iirma. After being welcomed by the senior officers of the Air Force, he was introduced to the Secretary of State for Air, Lord Londonderry, who had arrived a few minutes previously from Northolt in an Avrb " Trainer," piloted by Fit. Lt. Whitfield. The party then proceeded to the Air Squadron hangar, and members of the squadron were likewise introduced, after which the Vice-Chancellor ARRIVAL OF VICE CHANCELLOR: Rev. F. J. Lys, M.A., being assisted out of his machine by his pilot, Wing. Com. Park, and the A.O.C. in C. (FLIGHT Photo.) 1047 SIR GEOFFREY SALMOND : Beside the Fairey III.F in which he flew from Northolt. (FLIGHT Photo.) C2
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