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Aviation History
1938
1938 - 0359.PDF
FEBRUARY JO, 1938. FLIGHT. 127 *rVISIT of FRENCH TECHNICAL MISSION Anglo-French Co-operation Foreshadowed (Above) The French techni-cal mission at Bristol with Sir Stanley White and Mr.W. G. Verdon Smith. The members are (left toright) l'lngenieur en chef Jean Volpert, l'lngenieur enchef Basile Vernillat, l'ln- genieur J. M. P. A. Roos, leCommandant L. M. A. A. Montrelay, and le CapitaineG. E. Breyton. (Left) The party at Vickers' Weybridgeworks in company with Sir Robert McLean, GeneralGadell, Mr. T. C. L. West- brook and Mr. Green (A.I.D.) A DELEGATION of French technical experts has latelybeen visiting this country to study production methods.The party consisted of l'lngenieur en chef Jean Volpert(Directeur des Constructions Aeriennes, Membre du Conseil Superieur de l'Air), l'lnge'nieur en chef Basile Vernillat (Directeur du Service de la Production Aeronautique), l'lnge- nieur J. M. P. A. Roos, le Commandant L. M. A. A. Mont- relay (Etat-Major Particulier du Ministre de l'Air), and le Capitaine G. E. Breyton (Etat-Major de 1'Armee de l'Air). The visitors arrived in London last Sunday week and on the following day were received by Viscount Swinton, who talked with the members of the mission for nearly an hour. Subse- quently there were informal talks at Aeriel House with the Director of Aeronautical Production and the Director of Equip- ment. On the Tuesday the party was conducted over the engine shops of the Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd., at Filton, and next tiav witnessed construction of Blenheims at the company's air- craft plant. The delegation was introduced to Sir Stanley White, Bart., managing director, and Mr. W. G. Verdon Smith, C.B.E., J.P Having made the rounds at Bristol the visitors were taken to Birmingham to visit the Austin and Rover shadow fac- tories, and next day proceeded to the Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers), Ltd., at Woolston, later visiting Southamp- ton airport, where the Spitfire multi-gun fighter and the Walrus amphibian were ably demonstrated by Messrs. Quill and Pickering. For the Saturday a visit to High Duty Alloys, Ltd., at Slough, was planned. Here the mission was received by Mr. W. C. Devereux and saw various departments in action, including the propeller shop and laboratory. Last Monday a tour was made of the Vickers Works at Weybridge, where the technique of geodetic construction was examined. Although ostensibly the mission was observing British methods of production, the possibilities of Anglo-French co- operation were studied. Arrangements have already been made for the exchajige of technical information between the two countries. MANNA from the SKIES AN extraordinarily good piece of work was done on Wednes-day last week by an R.A.F. pilot from Aldergrove when an SOS was received from the island of Rathlin, seven miles off the Co. Antrim coast. The island had been isolated by gales for three weeks, and the 350 inhabitants were in distress. F/O D. E. Gillam, who knew the island, was selected for the duty of taking supplies. Carrying a load of 350 1b. of food- stuffs and candles, he took off in a Westland' Wallace of the Station Flight, and reached the island within half an hour. The islanders had been warned by telephone to light a smudge •lre, and Gillam successfully put his machine down in a field measuring 200 yards by 300 yards and bounded by stone walls. He later took off and returned to the mainland. An interesting comment reaches us from Mr. J. F. Tauton, secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Aero Club. He says that tlie pilot in question was trained at the first Public Schools Aviation Camp at Norwich in 1934. When he obtained his "A" licence he had just left Wrekin College at the age of eighteen. Also, last week-end, the Island of Foula, in the Shetlands, which had been isolated for nearly five weeks, and where there was an influenza epidemic, was relieved by a Highland Airways machine. Supplies, including medicines, were drooped in ten packages by a parachute. For Motor Cyclists " Hints and Tips for Motor Cyclists " (compiled by the Staff of " The Motor Cycle "),' zs. (by post 2s. 3d.); lliffe and Sons Ltd., Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.i.S OME general workshop hints of wide application (e.g., " drilling glass," " removing a broken stud," " shoulder- ing a rod ") are to be found in the new (13th) edition of this handbook, which motor cycle owners will find of the greatest value. Legal hints are also included.
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