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Aviation History
1937
1937 - 0596.PDF
224 FLIGHT. MARCH II, 1937, engines and spares, making a total of £29,000,000 for this particular subhead of Vote 3, and it is explained that it covers provision for the purchase of complete airframes and engines, including the cost of manufacture by the shadow factory organisation, for their recon ditioning and repair, for spare parts and parachutes, and for research and development work carried out by con tractors. The material of the Fleet Air Arm is regarded for accounting purposes as the property of the Air Ministry, and the Admiralty makes a grant in respect of the Fleet Air Arm. This grant, under Vote 3, amounts for 1937 to £3,882,000, and includes the cost of increasing the number of fleet aircraft from 217 to 278. The corre sponding grant last year was £3,275,000. Experimental and Research Establishments show an increase of £98,500, which seems little enough in view of the many problems with which the re-equipment of the R.A.F. is accompanied. Apart from aircraft and engines, by far the greatest increase in any one item is that for armament and ammunition, for which close upon 7^ million sterling is set aside. This represents almost exactly double the amount under this subhead in last year's Air Estimates. Obviously, a very necessary increase, if the new squad rons formed are not to spend most of their time on the ground, is that for petrol and "oil. This subhead is esti mated to require £2,760,000, compared with £1,580,000 in 1936. It is stated in the Memorandum that this in cludes provision for establishing reserves of these two essential fuels, a step which has often been urged upon the Government. Although one has no means of know ing what the Air Ministry pays for its petrol, it is obvious from the sum quoted that very large quantities have to be brought to this country during the year, and a few moments of reflection suffice to bring home the problems likely to be involved when the far greater quantity needed in an emergency is contemplated. Already the much-discussed balloon barrage scheme is beginning to cast its shadow before it, the shadow taking the form of a sum of £690,000 under subhead J of Vote 3. An explanatory note states that this figure includes provision for the hydrogen cylinders and gener ating plants. Compared with the cost of the barrage scheme, it is somewhat disquieting to find that appar ently the Air Ministry takes no great interest in airships, for which a ridiculous sum of £12,500 is set aside. No one would expect the Government to launch out again in the development of rigid airships, but there are those who believe that the small non-rigid may have some useful functions in case of war. Obviously, this view is not held at Adastral House. SUNSHINE SOMEWHERE : A heart-warming picture, in these chilly British March days, ot the Short Empire Boat CavalM at the Bermuda Air Base for her experimental Bermuda to New York nights. Leaning from the cockpit is Capt. Armstrong, the commander, and in uniform is First Officer Richardson (second pilot) ; in mufti on top of the machine is Mr Bell. Short Bros., and Mr. Hayuen, of the A.I.D., is behind the flag mast.
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