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Aviation History
1933
1933 - 0975.PDF
FLIGHT, NOVEMBER 9, 1933 ON SELLING AIRCRAFT MR. C. R. FAIREY, whose success in manufactur ing and selling aircraft is one of the outstanding achievements in the growth of our aircraft in dustry, spoke before a large gathering at the Royal Aero Club on Wednesday, November 1. His speech could hardly be called an informative one if considered as a lecture on the art of selling aeroplanes. It was, how ever, full of trenchant and well-balanced criticism of present-day methods and was, of course, delivered in that forceful style for which Mr. Fairey is well renowned. He started with a somewhat impassioned plea against aircraft manufacturers like himself being so often called arms racketeers and similar things. He also did his best to expose what he called a canard when he refuted entirely the suggestion so prevalent that British aircraft manufacturers invariably endeavour to ram down their unfortunate buyers' throats, the machines which they con sider good for them, instead of building the types which they want. Despite their methods, however, he pointed out that Britain was the biggest exporter of aircraft and aircraft engines in the world, and despite the fact that exports in general had decreased very considerably during the last three years, exports in aircraft had maintained a steady level. He referred to the position in the Dominions, from whence came the bitterest criticism of English sell ing methods. Despite the varied types of aircraft offered them by our manufacturers, they persisted in buying the standardised products of the U.S. He felt that the trouble was that they themselves did not know what they wanted. Becoming somewhat more cheerful, Mr. Fairey spent a few moments encouraging people by reminding them of the respect with which English goods were treated abroad and how they were almost always considered to be superior just because theywere English ; in fact, in Brazil, he said, the people there swear by the Englishman's truth instead of using religious or other oaths of fidelity. He depre cated the fact that aircraft manufacturers' exports were mostly military. He put this down not only to the fact that we as a country produce the finest military aircraft in the world, but to the system of Government orders and assistance which has enabled these aircraft to be de veloped. He asked that the same assistance be given to the production of civil aircraft so as to enable our manu facturers to compete in the world's markets. He referred to the conditions in the U.S., where the wide open spaces engendered a demand for civil aircraft, and to the very substantial Government assistance given the American operator in the form of air mail contracts. He pointed out that conditions for flying were in many respects simi lar to those in the Dominions, and therefore he felt that this was a very strong reason why the authorities should assist in developing our civil aircraft. Mr. Fairey agreed entirely with the policy of support ing the trade journals which have done so much for the British aircraft industry abroad, but he was very de cidedly against what he called stunt publicity, raised by the type of person who expected manufacturers to back them when they wanted to make some spectacular flight. At the same time, he pointed out that there was one type of spectacular publicity with which he was in agree ment, and that was the attainment of world's records. These were too expensive for individual effort, and he therefore felt that the Government should co-operate in getting back the three main air records. He was not one of those who ran down the Government on all occasions ; in fact, he admitted to having received great assistance from the Air Ministry. He pointed to the removal of the embargo on the machines on the secret list, and said that this has meant greatly increased exports and had made us good friends with our Allies abroad. He felt that the Air Ministry purchasing system had in the past greatly stimu lated our trade, but he felt that the policy of cutting down prices which was now becoming rather evident was to be deplored, as it would mean losing our technical supremacy which had enabled us to remain paramount throughout the world. Lowering the prices would mean that technical matters would be superseded by commercial considerations, with the ultimate result that both the Government and the manufacturers would lose, as the policy would destroy that individualism which had placed us on top, and he had no doubt that the entirely open tender system would cheapen production work, but would do so at the expense of technical development and loss of markets, while our manufacturers would no longer be able to supply the R.A.F. with the aircraft it deserved. Lord Gorell, who was in the chair, expressed a vote of thanks to the speaker, and said that while America would seem to have developed her commercial aircraft more than we had, he did not think she had developed the type of machine suitable for the private owner to the same extent as we had done. Mr. Adrian Florman thought that the fact that a machine was English was sufficient guarantee in every respect. He thought it was a mistake for the people in the industry not to get together and co-operate. British Hospitals Air Pageants FROM the official report (1933) of the British Hospitals Al u- PaSeants' it is evident that the organisation has achieved its object. The report states that between April 8 and October 8 flying took place on every day except four, when the weather conditions were unfavourable. Aerial displays of 20 events each, in many cases two a day, were given in 180 cities and towns in England, Scotland and Wales, and it is estimated that they were watched by over 1.000,000 spectators, of which 800,000 passed through the entrance gates. It is reckoned that the tour has created a great stimulus to aviation. 70,000 members of the public had flights in the 15 machines used. The auditor's certi ficate shows that as a result of the campaign local hospitals have benefited to the extent of £6,854 6s. lOd. The campaign gave employment to a staff of 108, of whom 102 were absorbed from the ranks of the unemployed. The director, who devoted his whole time to the organisation, received no remuneration, and help of immense value was given by the Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley, the Patrons, the hospitals' Committees, and the Press. It is claimed that ls a result of the campaign 11 orders for new aircraft have been received by various firms. Arrangements are well yanced for next season's campaign, and already certain well-known pilots have signified their intention of accom panying the' organisation on its tour. Next year the name M the organisation will be called " The Sky Devils' Air Circus.'' Cirrus Hermes '' engines have distinguished themselves during the tour. A Spartan 3-seater (" Hermes IV ") operated by Mr. P. Phillips, D.F.C., M.S.M., Proprietor of the Cornwall Aviation Company, has carried more than 8,000 passengers, made over 4,000 landings and has flown about 36,000 miles without a forced landing. Mr. Phillips bought his Spartan in March this year, and at the end of the tour, in October, his engine hours amounted to 454. The total number of passengers carried was 70,148. About half the joy flights included aerobatics. Miss Pauline Gower's " Hermes " Spartan carried 6,000 pas sengers during the tour, which entailed flying 320 hours at a cruising speed of approximately 80 m.p.h. Altogether, Miss Gower flew about 25,600 miles. The " Hermes " engine, which was completely overhauled and modified at the beginning of the tour, was not touched except for top overhaul and daily maintenance, and Miss Spicer, who signed it out every day, experienced no trouble whatever. A Siddeley " Lynx " engine fitted in an Avro aircraft completed six months work in the service of the British Hospitals Air Pageants. During the period it completed seme 400 hours running without any top overhaul and even at the conclusion of the tour there were no indica tions of this being necessary. Royal Society Medals His MAJESTY THE KING has approved the award, by the President and Council of the Royal Society, of a Royal Medal to Professor G. I. Taylor, F.R.S., for mathematical work in physics, geophysics, and aerodynamics. Belgian Honour for Lord Wakefield THE King of the Belgians has promoted Lord Wakefield to the rank of Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II. 1133
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