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Aviation History
1939
1939 - 0043.PDF
JANUARY 5, 1939 FLIGHT. 25 HERE and THERE GRAPHIC : Opened yesterday at Shell-Mex House, an exhibi tion entitled " See How They Fly '' provides for the visitor, by means of pictures and models, a review of the whole history of aviation. Here is a section of the illuminated views of early machines and events. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, including Saturdays but ex cepting Sundays. Mr. John Grierson's New Post MR JOHN GK1EKSON, it is announced, has been appointed a test pilot to the Hawker-Siddeley Company, and took up his duties last Monday. Mr. Grierson (who should not be confused with the docu mentary-film expert of the same name) has earned not incon siderable fame as a solo long-distance pilot, and a great deal of his flying has been on marine aircraft. In 1934, flying a Fox Moth on floats, he made a solo survey of the Arctic route to America, and he is the author of two extremely entertaining books, Through Russia by Air and High Failure. During the last two years he has held a post in the Directorate of Operational Services and Intelligence, in the Department of Civil Aviation, Air Ministry. Aquatic Merlins THREE 1,000 h.p. Rolls-Royce Merlin marinr units form the motive power cf each of twenty new motor torpedo boats evolved by Mr. Hubert Scott-Paine for the Royal Netherlands Navy. The armament includes four 18-inch tor pedo tubes and two anti-aircraft guns. Mr. C. R Fairey on "The Real Future of Aviation" YOU will have seen reported in the Piess, which I am able to confirm, the statement that we have under taken the construction of a large four-engined air liner for the Air Ministry. This order was obtained in competition on technical merit, and it is to be followed, we hope and expect, by an order from British Airways for a fleet of these machines. We have in accordance with our usual practice undertaken this order 'off the drawing board,' and we expect to go into production long before the appear ance of the prototype. Your directors are hopeful that the results will mean the building up of a permanent branch of our business." In these words Mr. C. R. Fairey, speaking at the annual meeting of the Fairey Aviation Company last week, acquainted shareholders with the firm's plans for developing a civil aviation side to its activities. "It is obvious that intensive building of military aircraft cannot continue for ever," continued Mr. Fairey, "and it is certainly to be hoped in the interests of the whole world that it will not continue much longer, in which connection it should be remembered that science is not stationary, and however terrible the present possibilities of military aviation the future holds even worse. A great mistake in assessing these possibilities has often been to base estimates on the con- " Flight " photograph. temporary performance of the aeioplane and to ignore the rapidity of modern development. '' In the present situation that was forced upon the British Government, this company has done its full share in respond ing to the demands upon it, and will continue to do so with the utmost energy. The present swollen capacity of the industry is such as to swamp any normal requirements for replacement if the hoped-for disarmament takes place. There fore, by taking this step, and undertaking the construction of civil aircraft, even at a time when we are so busily occupied with other commitments, your directors hope to secure for the company its proper share in the real future of aviation." (Applause.) Before making this announcement Mr. Fairey had reviewed the year's progress of the company. He was able to give highly satisfactory reports on the output of the Hayes, Stock port and Hamble factories, and the associated Belgian con cern, and to state that the year's work to September 30 had resulted in a profit of £395,125. " I would like to acknowledge with thanks," said Mr. Fairey, the assistance and co-operation that we have received from the Air Ministry during the past year. By earlier placing of orders, quicker decisions on technical and commercial points, and prompt settlements, they have greatly helped us both in the laying of our plans and in their achievement." Hanworth Keeps History Up To Date TTISTORICAL associations link Hanworth with the past right •*-•*- back to the Domesday Book, and Hanworth is still making history. At General Aircraft's annual dinner on Thursday, December 22, one of the guests of honour, Mr. W. Howell, Divisional Organiser of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, told Mr, Gordon England that he had been a trade union official for twenty-five years but had never before been invited to a works dinner. Similar experience seems to have been the sad lot of the other trade union officials present: Mr. E. F. Stanford, District Organiser of the National Brass and Metal Mechanics' Union, and Mr. H. G. Brotherton, Secretary of the National Union of Sheet Metal Workers and Braziers. Certainly one could not but be impressed by the all-too-rare cordiality existing between works and management staffs so evident at General Aircraft. There were many other thought ful touches at this-foregathering. For instance, the toasts were proposed and seconded by the employees themselves instead of by some highly placed official selected for his seniority. The speeches, short and to the point, were the more virile and expressive and the less platitudinous for it. Subsequently, the managing director, Mr. Gordon England, UNDERCARRIAGE! This unique semi trailer, 43 ft. 6 in. overall, was built by R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., of Liverpool, 8, to the requirements of A. V. Roe and Co., Ltd. It will take a load of 4 tons, and is intended' to carry almost-complete aircraft.
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