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Aviation History
1939
1939 - 0539.PDF
FEBRUARY 23, 1939 FLIGHT. 19A " Flight " photograph. A Hawker Nisr (Audax type) army co-operation biplane of the Royal Iraq Air Force. The engine is a Bristol Pegasus. For some three months the .flight remained at Miranshah, carrying out full operational duties. Its operational flying hours were, in fact, higher than any similar flight of the R.A.F., reaching the record figure of 366 hours in September of that year. The standard of maintenance was excellent; special tribute is due to those British officers and airmen who have served throughout with No. i (A.C.) Squadron, I.A.F., supervising and helping the newly trained Indian personnel, and whose patience and skill have had such good results. At Miranshah the I.A.F. pilots and gunners saw considerable fighting, and one officer was mentioned in despatches for his services by H.E. the Commander-in-Chief. The reputation of the new service was by now established, and henceforth the squadron was no longer regarded as an experiment. It was decided to assemble the flights from Drigh Road and Peshawar at Ambala, and there to make them into a fully equipped service squadron. By April 1, 1938, suitable buildings had been erected, and Ambala became an Air Force Station providing for No. 1 (A.C.) Squadron, LA.F., as well as No. 28 (A.C.) Squadron, R.A.F., which has been stationed there, for some years. Various difficulties, including further Waziristan operations against the Madda Khel tribes in June, delayed the arrival and assembly of the squadron at Ambala, but by July all had arrived, and for the first time the squadron became organised on the basis of three flights and headquarters. Hitherto there had never been fewer than four R.A.F. officers carrying out the duties of Commanding Officer, Adjutant and Flight Commanders. These officers were now reduced to one, so that with tlw sole exception of the command of the squadron all duties are now in the hands of the Indian Air Force officers. Although the Indian Air Force is organised on the same lines at the Royal Air Force, has the same standard of training, educational and trade tests, and its officers hold the same titles, the airmen are termed Hawai Sepoys, Hawai Naiks, Hawai Havildars, as compared to the Royal Air Force terms of Aircraftman, Corporal and Sergeant. Hawker Audax army co-operation machines of |«e Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force over the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon, on their first wternational flight—Singapore-Rangoon - Singapore—about four months ago. A serjous shortage is that of trained pilots. Out of an establishment of nineteen pilots there are only to-day ten in India. Three more are under training at the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell, while a further three Indian Army officers have been seconded for service with the squadron and are proceeding to Egypt to complete their advanced flying training. Perhaps one of the greatest mistakes made during the creation of the Indian Air Force related to the pay of airmen in the various trade groups. These rates of pay were at first in general much too low for the standard of education and culture expected of a recruit, and many of the men could have earned far more in civilian life. Dissatisfaction with the conditions of service arose and many men had to be discharged in the earlier years. By September, 1937, however, conditions of service and rates of pay were im proved to an equitable level and dissatisfaction immediately disappeared. Little higher praise could be given a squadron than that, with its shortage of fully trained personnel and its obsolescent equipment, it is carrying out the full duties of an army co-operation squadron, working with the Army by night or day wherever required. Many months are sure to pass before funds will allow its equipment with up-to-date material, but the organisation is there, and, what is more, both officers and men are proud of their service and proud of the knowledge that it is a service whic h must and will develop into India's first line of defence. Iraq "pORMED in 1931 as part of the Iraq Army, the Royal -*- Iraq Air Force sent a number of officer pilots for train ing in England at the R.A.F. College, Cranwell, until the
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