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Aviation History
1934
1934 - 0928.PDF
930 FLIGHT, , SEPTEMBER 6, 1934. COMMERCIAL TWIATION AIRLINES AIRPORTS ULSTER'S FIRST AIRPORT The Governor of Northern Ireland Officially Opens Airwork's Latest Venture, an Aerodrome on Lord Londonderry's Estate Near Newtpwnards ARDS OPENING : The scene in front of the clubhouse a few minutes before the Governor ofNorthern Ireland officially opened the airport. Lord Londonderry is at the microphone and Finian the White is on the left. NEVER has Ulster's interest in the development of avia-tion been more noticeable than at the opening of AnisAirport last Friday. Fifteen thousand people must havegathered at the aerodrome for the ceremony and for the short display during the afternoon. Lord Londonderry, before asking the Duke of Abercorn todeclare the airport open, explained that during the next year, when the buildings had been removed and the boundary ex-tended, Ards Airport would be one of the best in the world. It was, he said, a private venture, produced by Lady London-derry, himself, and Airwork Ltd., and not a municipal aero- drome, but it would provide Belfast with the needed airport—for Northern Ireland would eventually become a centre of commercial aviation. Lying in the shadow of Stewart's Tower,commemorating the work of his great grandfather, Ards Airport would, he hoped, have the same beneficial results for thepeople of the countryside that Seaham Harbour, founded by his ancestor, had had in the past. Dr. D'Arcy, Primate of All Ireland, gave the episcopal bless-ing, and Mr. W. H. Simms, J.P., Chairman of the Newtown- ards Urban Council, and Viscount Castlereagh, M.P., proposedand seconded a vote of thanks to the Governor after he had unfurled the Civil Air Ensign. After the school "Cadet" had been christened Finian theWhite by Lady Londonderry, Lord Londonderry boarded one of Mr. Hillman's "Dragons" and broadcast a short messagewhile out of sight of the aerodrome, in order to give the visitors some idea of the value of wireless. The demonstra-tion was none the less impressive because, full in the middle of Dr. D'Arcy's short address, there came clearly over the loudspeakers, " Banco OX—Newtownards calling," as if to show everybody that modern machines are not " wandering lonelyas a cloud " while passing on their daily business. The Display - There was no lag in the excellent little flying programme which followed, and both Mr. Ivor McClure and Sqd. Ldr. Oliver deserve full marks for their work on the microphone. The ball was opened by Fit. Lt. R. W. E. Bryant, the Chief Pilot and Manager of Ards, who went cleanly through the usual repertoire with Finian the Whits and completed his per- formance with something that is not often seen nowadays—atrue falling leaf, with beautifully timed reversals of control. A Klemm "Swallow" was put through all its paces byMr. Collins, an Avro "Commodore" by Mr. Alan Muntz, and an Airspeed "Courier" by Lt. Tillard, of R. K. Dundas,Ltd. In the last the "retractile reactions" were followed most closely as the machine was flown slowly over the crowd. Mr. R. A. C. Brie, of course, held the stage with the ever-entertaining direct-control Autogiro for, it appeared, rather more than his turn, while demonstrating various methods ofapproach, and Mr. S. A. Thorn showed us what really can be done with a specially equipped aeroplane. His showbecomes more polished every time, and this time he stayed on his back for an interminable period, doubtless because itwas raining heavily. The Avro "Tutor," in his hands, appears quite as happy on its back, and Thorn showed ussomething that is not often seen—a really well executed and steep inverted figure of eight. Beautiful formations were flown by three pilots of Ne. 502(Special Reserve) Squadron from Aldergrove, who must have handled their unwieldy '' Ginnies'' with vernier throttle move-ments. The culminating "Prince of Wales' Feathers" was just as spectacular as any performance of heavy bombers couldbe, and the outside machines closed up again from their steep turns with precious little to spare. The " Instructor and Pupil " show, performed by instructorsfrom No. 5 Flying Training School, was, if anything, a slightly improved version of their turn at Hendon—except perhapsthat the "pupil's" bounce and second landing were even more terrifying on a comparatively small aerodrome. Perhapspeople should not be given the idea that flying is difficult, even if clearly shown that mistakes are safe—when made byinstructors. Finally, a single "Fury" from No. 43 Fighter Squadrongave the people of Ulster more speed, more climb, and more delicious noise than anything they can ever have seen or heard.Yet the more impressive exhibition was not an exhibition at all. Immediately after the display a second chequered"Fury " taxied out, and the pair took off in formation, look- ing for all the world like one solid machine until they went outof sight, still climbing towards Aldergrove. The Ards Airport, when finished, will be very roughly
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