FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1936
1936 - 0913.PDF
388 FLIGHT. APRIL 9, Ig36 • • '"mwrnt >, '••> A Moth and Hawker Demons of the R.A.A.F. The Australian Demons are equipped for bombing as well as for fighting, carry army co-operation gear such as message hooks, and use the Kestrel V engine. AUSTRALIA'S AIR DEFENCE THE basis of the Australian Government's policy for air defence, subject to certain modifications which are under consideration, is the report made by Sir John Salmond in 1928. The organisation contemplated under this scheme provides for co-operation with the sea and land forces, for fixed defences and mobile units, for coast reconnaissance and for the protection of shipping, as well as for aerial action against the direct attack of enemy raiding forces. Priority is to be given to provision for defence against raids. The objective of the Three Years' Programme for the Air Force (due for completion in June, 1937) is practically to complete Part I of the Salmond Scheme, when the following units will be in existence: Victoria : Headquarters: No. 1 Flying Training School at Point Cook ; No. 1 Aircraft Depot at Laverton ; Citizen Air Force Squadron for co-operation with the fixed defences; Fighter Bomber Squadron; Bomber Recon naissance Squadron. New South Wales: No. 2 Aircraft Depot at Richmond ; Citizen Air Force Squadron for co-operation with the Fixed Defences ; Army Co-operation Squadron; Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron; Fleet Co-operation Squadron. West Australia: Citizen Air Force Squadron (to be stationed near Perth) for co-operation with the Fixed Defences. The Salmond Report has recently been reviewed in the light of additional demands that have arisen from the Navy and Army, and other developments. The modifications involve consideration' of several important asoects The Present Situation, and Plans for Developing the Royal Australian Air Force : Some Notes by One Who Has Recently Returned from the Com monwealth cruisers in place of a flight of six air craft for the seaplane carrier as re commended in the Salmond Report This expansion takes place during the Three Years' Programme. Secondly, in view of the recent decision of the Government to con centrate on three of the seven divisions of the Army, three army co-operation squadrons are proposed instead of the one recommended in the Salmond Report. One is pro vided for in the Three Years' Pro gramme, and the two additional squadrons will be formed later. The question of co-operation with the fixed defences was not specially considered in the Salmond Report, and a recent review of the scheme for the rearmament of the coast defences also embraced air co-operation. The personnel of four of the five squadrons for this purpose will be taken from the Citizen Forct Two of these squadrons exist in cadre form at present, one is provided for in the Three Years' Programme, and two will be formed later. Coast Reconnaisance An important function of the Air Force is reconnais sance out to sea, and the protection of shipping' P ticularly at focal points and in narrow waters. Salmond Report recommended the provision of four urn each of four flying boats, but these numbers are _ sufficient to cover the area over which it will be neces~ to provide air reconnaissance for the protection of s"!Pj"jn^ The modern multi-engined landplane is capable 01 ^ with one engine out of action, and is suitable for tecon^ sance out to sea as well as for other duties. It is prot' ^ First, as regards naval co-operation, a squadron of that this type of unit should be substituted generally ^ twelve aircraft is proposed for the seaplane carrier and flying boat units recommended by Sir John Salmon ,
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
