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Aviation History
1938
1938 - 0046.PDF
20 FLIGHT. JANUARY 6, 1938. If preparations are to be made so that the dual purpose can be achieved with the same machines there will neces- sarily have to be some alteration in the training of pilots; but if fighter pilots are given from five to ten hours' training tin twin-engined machines there appears to me to be no reason why they should not be employed in flying the bombers on purely defensive flights when the machines were not required for the long-range bombing of enemy objectives. In raising this question I am not by any means question- ing the value of the policy of hitting at the enemy factories, bases and communications, as being the surest means of stopping aerial activity on the part of the enemy. There are many like myself, however, who believe it to be expedi- ent to prepare for a temporary change of tactics so as to meet a possible emergency. If the preparation can be made without detriment to the efficiency of the original tactics, so much the better and, in my opinion, such preparation could be made both economically and expeditiously in the manner I have suggested or by more elaborate means. ITALY'S MOST RECENT RECORD Stoppani Again AN outstanding flight achieved during the last days of 1937was the long-distance record of Mario Stoppani and his co-pilot, Enrico Cornani, who, with wireless operator and mechanic, took off from Cadiz at 1.35 p.m. on December 28 and flew across the South Atlantic to Carvellas, in Brazil, where they landed at 4 p.m. on December 29. The distance covered was about 7,000 kin, or 4,350 miles, and the time taken was 26 hours, 25 minutes. Still to be homologated, this flight will make the eleventh important record established by Italy during 1937- Six of these records were taken by a Savoia Marchetti 79 machine with three Alfa Romeo engines, and were for speeds over distances of 1,000 and 2,000 km., loaded with 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 kg. This latest seaplane record was taken on a Cant Z. 506 B low-wing mono-seaplane with three Alfa Romeo 126 R.C. 34 engines, the prototype of which was first seen at this year's Milan Show. The machine is of wooden construction except for the floats, which are duralumin; fully loaded it weighs about 35,450 1b. In its normal military form the Cant Z. 506 B has a disposable load of 8,810 lb., and a maximum speed of 242 m.p.h is claimed. The new record shows an improvement of 760 miles in distance, and the average speed of 164.5 m.p.h. is about 60 m.p.h. better than that of the previous holder, which was the French Latecoere six-engined flying boat. Weather conditions were only medium for the flight, and at one time, in mid-ocean, a very bad section was encountered. An altitude between 11,500 and 13,000ft. was maintained for the whole flight, and constant wireless contact was kept with Italian stations and others on the route and in Brazil. Airspeed Prospects A CCOUNTING for the disappointing results of the year's •tx. trading of Airspeed, Ltd. (a loss of ^58,650 was reported), Mr. G Wigham Richardson, the chairman, explained to share- holders at the annual meeting that, as compared with some old- established aircraft concerns, they had had to go a long way before receiving even a small measure of recognition from the Government in regard to the expansion programme. He also regretted that the sub-contract work which they had been compelled to accept proved unremunerative and accounted for a substantial part of the loss The policy of the board remained to concentrate as far as possible upon the manufacture of aeroplanes of their own design. They had delivered prototypes of two different air- craft to the Government and had received a large order for one Seen as a prototype at last year's Milan show, the military version of the three-engined Cant Z. 506. B. is a low-wing mono-seapiane said to be capable of about 240 - m.p.h. (Inset) Mario Stoppani. of them, upon which they were actively engaged and of which several units had already gone into service. They were hopeful of receiving shortly further production orders in respect of both these types. During the year they were honoured with an order for a special Envoy for the use of the Royal Family. Civil Envoys convertible to military purposes had been sold to or ordered by foreign and Colonial governments. A Chance for Keen Youngsters ,: QCHOOLBOYS who are thinking of taking up marine engra- il eering are offered a unique chance of studying modern practice in the construction of fast motor craft (such as R.A.F. rescue tenders and target boats) by the British Power Boat Company, of Hythe, Southampton. Mr. Hubert Scott-Paine has arranged to take a number of youngsters for a summer vacation course at his works. Those accepted will be paid a nominal wage. Boys interested should apply as soon as possible, giving the dates between which they desire to take the course and stating briefly the type of experience wanted. ALL ABOUT AIRPORTS A LTHOUGH no Airports Exhibition is being held this year ^* by the Aerodrome Owners' Association, the Airports Conference will take place as usual, and delegates from all over the country will come to London to hear papers read by experts on various aspects of the subject. The Conference takes place on January 19-21, and co-mcidentally with it, on Thursday, January 20, " Flight " will publish its Annual AIRPORTS NUMBER. This considerably enlarged Special Number will in many ways fill the gap created by the absence of an Exhibition, for the latest developments in airport construction, operation and maintenance will be discussed ;n detail. Specialists will deal with particular aspects. Manufacturers' new Equipment will be described, and there will be a graphic, fully illustrated review of the world's leading airports. TO-DAY FORTNIGHT JANUARY 20
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