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Aviation History
1938
1938 - 0842.PDF
300 FLIGHT. MARCH 24, 1938. AIR ESTIMATES INTRODUCED Lt.-CoL MuirheacTs Speech in the House : Demand for Enquiry Into R.A.F. Administration Refused THE Air Estimates were introduced in the Houseof Commons on Tuesday, March 15, by Lt.-Col.A. J. Muirhead, M.C., Under-Secretary of State for Air. In the course of the debate a demand was raised for an enquiry into the administration of the R.A.F. side of the Air Ministry on the lines of the Cadman Com- mittee. This demand was refused by the Air Minister. Below are extracts from Col. Muirhead's speech. Com- ment appears in "The Outlook" (pp. 271-273). The Estimates were dealt with in considerable detail in Flight of March 10. The estimated expenditure this year, he said, including £$o,000,000 to be defrayed from the Defence Loan, amounted to /io3,50o,ooo. This figure was nearly six times as large as in 1934 > twice as large as in 1936—which was a full year in the expansion period—and represented a 25 per cent, increase on last year. Although involving an increased expenditure of ^21,000,000, of which the largest item was ^17,000,000 for technical and war-like stores, the Estimates this year disclosed no specially new features. Recently the Government had approved a further progres- sive expansion of the Air Force. This involved an.increase of personnel, increases in the number and size of squadrons, of Royal Air Force stations, in recruitment and training facilities for pilots and other personnel, in orders for aircraft, and in factory output, including the Shadow Scheme. The House would therefore, in any case, have had to be prepared for a Supplementary Estimate to cover the additional effort required, and in this connection it should be realised that the Estimates contained not only provision for the current programme, but the foundation of further expansion. The Prime Minister had indicated the day before, that, fol- lowing on the events of the last few days, His Majesty's Government were engaged upon a fresh review of the situation. He was not able to say what the result of this review might have in the acceleration or extension of the Air Force pro- gramme, but any further expenditure which might be necessi- tated would appear in the form of supplementary Estimates. In accordance with the decision of H.JVI. Government last July that ship-borne aircraft which form the Fleet Air Arm should be transferred from the adminstrative control of the Air Ministry to the Admiralty, active steps had been taken to set up the necessary arrangements for transfer. The change could only be carried out gradually. The Air Ministry would still remain responsible for training Fleet Air Arm pilots up to the point when specialisation in naval duties begins. Planning, Policy, Programme Col. Muirhead said that planning, policy and programme must be considered togethei. The real test was—were the broad plan and the general conception right? He said that they were. He then examined two criticisms—namely, that the production of airframes was behind that of engines, and that the production of instruments and armament was behind aircraft. He said that there was no harm in some items being ahead of others. Engines were somewhat ahead of airframes. But the airframe situation itself is encouraging. Rootes' factory at Speke, owing to the change of its location, would not be in production as early as it otherwise might have been, but good progress was being made. From the Austin works completed aircraft would be delivered to squadrons by the middle of this summer. This output would represent a genuine production flow. With regard to the second criticism—that aircraft were ahead of instruments and armaments, there were also no grounds for complaint. He took the case- of, blind-flying instruments. These instruments were being fitted to all types which were being produced. They were not being fitted to obsolescent types, which were not being used for flying in conditions of cloud or bad visibility. There was no lack of instruments. From the fighting standpoint, he instanced guns and turrets. Gun supply was satisfactory, and the system of operating some of the guns was a notable step in armament progress. Power- operated revolving turrets, enclosing man and gun, had had to be installed. All turrets had been designed and were being made in this country, and flow of production was now satis- factory. We are not complete with turrets at the moment, but the time when this would be achieved was definitely iii" the near future. In this essential requirement we were as goodas any foreign country, and, he thought, probably better. For communication they had evolved a wireless set whichwas not only a satisfactory operational type, but a good and simple production type, and they were ahead of theirrequirements. The House knew that in the early days of expansion thepolicy was necessarily adopted of placing a production order for several types of aircraft straight from the drawing board.There was now a possibility that, with the fuller development of the aircraft industry on a broader basis, and with goodmachines now in production, we should revert to the system of prototypes—but an improved system which it was hoped wouldcombine efficiency of type with speed of production. Col. Muirhead welcomed the appointment of Sir CharlesBruce Gardner as Independent Executive Chairman of the S.B.A.C, which he called an appointment of real value bothto the industry and the Ministry. To meet the increasing importance of armament and itsprogressive nature, Armament Development at the Air Ministry had been placed under a separate Director. In addition, sothat the training might keep pace with development, Armament Training Camps, which numbered 3 in 1934 and now number7, were to be increased in the course of the year by 4 additional ones. A new Air Armament Training School was beingestablished. Research • • A new wind tunnel was being set up at the Royal Aircraft Establishment to study the compressibility of air at high speeds. The past year had been notable in marking the advent of engines, both air and liquid cooled, in the 1,000 h.p. category. In the matter of Research and Development there was a close and constant co-operation—and on a wide scale—between the Air Staff and the Scientists. Some new results of great value for defence had recently been obtained, but he was afraid that their nature prevented him from mentioning them to the House. Of the contracts in connection with trie expansion pro- gramme, in 63 per cent, prices had already been settled; in another 12 per cent, quotations had been received but not yet accepted. These two categories together, embracing 75 per cent, of the contracts, covered 50 per cent, of the actual expansion aeroplanes ordered. In another 12 per cent, of the contracts, batch costing had been resorted to without prices being actually settled or quotations made. One important case had already been settled by arbitration, and progress was being made in the negotiations with the firms on all outstanding cases ripe for such discussions. Col. Muirhead emphasised strongly the need for skilled men. Another depot equivalent to that at Halton, for fitters, fitter- armourers, instrument makers and wireless operator mechanics, apprentices and boys was being established at Cosford. Col. Muirhead then mentioned increases in pay, details of which are given in the Service Aviation of this issue. Col. Muirhead paid a tribute to the Auxiliary Air Force and said that all the conditions in connection with it were now being carefully examined by a committee at the Air Ministry. The Balloon Section, wliich lormed a part of the Auxiliary Air Force had, he thought, a special interest at the moment. It was necessary first of all to get somewhat numerous regular personnel trained, and both regular personnel and the equip- . ment were now ready. Sites for all the four centre'; had new been chosen and the establishment of the first centre was imminent. Recruiting for the auxiliary personnel (over 5,000) would start shortly and, indeed, registration of applicants was already taking place. Training ' The House already knew, he said, that elftnentary training of short service officers (the term "elementary" taking (lie place of ab initio) was carried out at civil flying training schools. Between the inception of this scheme in August, iy.>5. and December 31, 1937, a total of 3,330 pupils had passe through these schools, of whom approximately 84 per cent, had passed on to Service Flying Training Schools. ' Great importance was attached to navigation and biiiHi flying. Instrument flying and night flying were now laugnt in the normal sequence at flying training schools. A considerable number of Link Trainers had been orderea and were in course of delivery to stations. By the end o March all Flying Training Schools, Cranwell. and a number 01 other schools and stations would be equipped with one. -kvc r*
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