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Aviation History
1936
1936 - 1161.PDF
FLIGHT. MAY 7, 1936. AID. IN EXPANSIVE MOOD Problems of Increased Production the Main Theme of Lord Swinton and Other Speakers at A.I.D. T.S.A. Dinner SINCE its inception the Aircraft Inspection Directorate has been called a good many names, some flattering, some otherwise. Viscount Swinton, Secretary of State for Air, added another, last Friday at the annual dinner of the A.I.D. Technical Staff Association, when he referred to them as "The Old Contemptibles of the Air Ministry." Starting as a very small band of inspectors, the A.I.D. grew to large proportions during the war, then had to be reduced almost to nothing, and now it was again increasing in size. In addition to giving the A.I.D. a new name, Lord Swinton also suggested a motto of a single word, "Thorough." Lord Swinton was the principal guest at the eleventh annual dinner of the A.I.D. Technical Staff Association, held at the Holborn Restaurant, and said the day happened to be his birthday, and a very pleasant one it had proved to be. Earlier in the day he had been flying in one of the latest bombers— with so manv constructors present he would not sav which one —and had been very impressed. [Actually the machine was the Fairey Battle.—ED.] The new types now coming into production were a great tribute to the joint work of the Air Ministry, the industry and research. He knew from personal experience that foreign observers whose opinion was unbiased and who wanted to place orders, held the view that British aviation products were second to none. Confidence Lord Swinton referred to the new system by which new machines went into production much more quickly than before, and said that this system might be regarded by some as a risk. He preferred to look upon it as an expression of the confidence of the Air Ministry in the aircraft industry. The morale of the Air Force was, perhaps, of even greater importance than the morale of the other services. Morale depended upon tradition, training and confidence. All those present that evening were contributing to the confidence and thus to the morale of the Air Force. It was often said that the R.A.F. expansion was a warlike measure. He did not look upon it that way. A strong British Air Force represented something more than the will to peace; it represented the means to keep the peace. When referring to the growth of the aircraft industry and of the A.I.D., Lord Swinton made the interesting announce ment that he had that day appointed the first Deputy Director of the A.I.D. The choice had fallen on Group Captain G. B. Hynes, D.S.O. (Until his appointment to the post of Depurv Director, Group Captain Hynes was Chief Inspector (Engines) in the Directorate of Aeronautical Inspection.—ED.) Replying to the toast " The A.I.D.," the Director of Aero nautical Inspection, Lt.-Col. H. \V. S. Outram, referred to the very critical period through which the A.I.D. had passed and was passing. The expansion, and the extra work which it entailed, had got well under way, thanks very largely to the excellent co-operation of the firms' inspection staffs. More than 6,000 whole-time inspectors were now engaged by the . May 15-June I. Stockholm Aero Show. May 23. Empire Air Day. May 27-June 4 Austrian Aero Club: Whitsun Tour May 29-June 2. Swiss Aero Club: Whitsun Tour. May 30-June 1. Isle of Man Air Races, May 30-June 1. Aero Club de Provence: Marseilles Week-end. May 30-June 2. Yorkshire Gliding Club: Open Meeting and Competitions. June 6. R.A.F. Flying Club: Annual Display. June 6-14. Czechoslovakia Aero Clulb: Tour June 7. London Air Park Club: Han worth Garden Party. June 13-14. Opening of Brighton, Hove and Worthing Airport: Internationa! Rally. June 20. Brooklands " At Home." June 27. Roval Air Force Display, Hendon. July 2-5. Belgian Aviation Clubs; Tour Aerien Belgique. July 10 and 11. King's Cup Race. July 18. Portsmouth Aero Club: Isle of Wight Race. S firms; they had had their own difficulties, but in spite of them they had carried the extra load with complete success. f Referring to the A.I.D., Col. Outram said that last year the A.I.D. numbered about 500. This year it had increased to about 1,000. He thanked his staff for training and making into human beings some 500 recruits in one year! Col. Outram r also announced that no fewer than fifty-one were entitled to the replica of the old A.I.D. badge, which it had been decided 1 to issue to all those with more than twenty years' service in the 1 A.I.D. I Mr. A. Mclsaac proposed the toast of the visitors, and replies were made by Lt.-Col. H. A. P. Disney, the new Director 0; Production, and Mr. F. S. Spriggs. . - Lt.-Col. Disney said he severed his connection with the Air Force some twenty years ago, and caused much amusement In recalling that once a highly placed R.A.F. officer had referred to him as the most unscrupulous officer there ever wa^ r Although he had been in office only one month, Col. Disney said he had already visited many of the aircraft works. Thev had all treated him as a very efficient waste-paper basket, pouring their troubles into him, but he had had no single complaint about the A.I.D. Humour 3 Mr. F. S. Spriggs, who is chairman of the Gloster Aircraft 3 Co., director and general manager of Hawker Aircraft, ana managing director of the Hawker-Siddeley Development Co. jestingly said this was the first time that august assembly had been addressed from the proletarian section of the room (referring to the fact that he was not at the " top table "); he hoped they appreciated the honour. He was delighted to return thanks on behalf of his fellow guests, representatives of 1 that flower of British manhood—the British aircraft industry 3 Judging by their appearance, the hospitality had been greatly appreciated, and from evidence afforded by their side pleva- r tions capacity had been taxed to the utmost and individual ? expansion programmes were nearing completion. ? He was not quite certain of the subtle difference between 1 A.I.D. and T.S.A. One might know its job, and the other might know it too well; but all were agreed that the organises ; of the evening knew their job and were, in fact, almost worthy 1 of a job in the industry! Mr. Spriggs concluded a very amusing speech by saying that they all had their problems. The Air Ministry with their 1 confidential expansion programme, which the Press would no: discuss; the industry with its plans to cope with this pro- r gramme, which the Air Ministry would not discuss; and the T.S.A. and A.I.D. with plans which they were only too anxious to discuss. ) Mr. J. A. Webster paid a tribute to Mr. Jack Jarvis. who had organised these dinners for thirteen years (two being before the formation of the T.S.A.). Mr. Jarvis said a few words to ! explain that if the guests were happy so was he. He after- 1 wards informed Flight that 526 people sat down to dinner, 0: t whom 217 were A.I.D. hosts, the rest being guests. S The evening finished with an excellent programme of enter- 1 tainment, and it was noted that Lord Swinton enjoyed it to S the end. July 23-26. R.Ae.C: Week-end Aerien. August 1. Cinque Ports Club: Folkestone Trophy Race. August 1-3. Yorkshire Gliding Club : Open Meeting. August 2-15. Yorkshire Gliding Club: Instruction Camp August 3. Ramsgate Airport: Pou-du-Ciel Race. Aug. 8. Reading Aero Club: Northesk Cup Competition t Women Pilots. August 15-30. Yorkshire Gliding Club: Open Meeting ai Competitions. August 29-30. Cinque Ports Club : International Rally al Wakefield Cup Race. August 30. Gordon Bennett Balloon Race, Poland. Seotember 5-6. Aero Club of Hungary: Week-end Aerierr September 12. London Aeroplane Club: Hatfield Garden Part September 13. Aero Club de France: Coupe Deutsch Race. September 20 London Atr Park Club : Display. October 25. Aero Club de France: Saigon Race. November 13-29. Fifteenth Internationa! Aero ExhiDir .u Paris. Forthcoming Events
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