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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 0168.PDF
82 FLIGHT JANUARY 27TH, 1944 flying began, and thus knows all the pros and cons better than most people. We commend his article to the atten tion of those, including Lord Beaverbrook, who are now having to take decisions the effects of which may be incalculable in the years to come. Technical Training T HE decision of the Government upon the report of the Interdepartmental Committee, set up by the Minister for Aircraft Production, under the chair manship of Sir Roy Fedden, to submit proposals for the establishment of a national institution,, be it university, college or school, for improved and specialised training in aircraft engineering, is still awaited with considerable public interest. The recent official disclosure of the existence of proved types of jet-propelled aircraft, as well .as last week's pronouncements on the subject of huge multi-engined air transports planned for the peace programme, serve to underline the necessity for a more highly trained personnel for industry arid the Services. In the Daily Telegraph last week, under the heading " Britain's Need for a College of Aeronautics," the pros and cons of the subject were recapitulated by " An Aero nautical Engineer," and letters followed supporting the plea, for a national institution. It was emphasised that the technique of aircraft manufacture had undergone a complete change in the last twenty years. Biplanes of wood, wire and canvas had given place to metal struc tures of extremely complex character with a number of precision engineering components. Looking ahead, the next ten years may see the adoption of the flying wing, for example, and may even demonstrate that turbine compressor units will form the motive power of transatlantic and ocean-flying aircraft. Mr. F. G. Miles, who has long been an advocate of improved facilities for scientific training, has apparently modified his earlier views. Having advocated a university of aeronautics, he now reluctantly abandons the idea for the reason that, in his judgment, the trend of technical education has been towards increasing specialisation and that fewer young people have acquired that broader background essential to creative engineers. Contrariwise, in some other spheres of engineering acti vity there is a feeling that the more urgent need is for more "CONTENTS The Outlook - - - - - War in the Air - Hera and There - Armstrong-Whitworth Albemarle Longe-range Mustang - Aircraft in Flying Attitudes Correspondence - Air Transport - B.O.A.C.—Present and Future The Future of the Flying Boat - Three Proposed Airports - Service Aviation 81 83 86 87 9i 92 94 96 99 I00 103 10S colleges for the training of basic engineering, and, in deed, modern youth does sometimes exhibit the tendency to fly before it can walk! This general agitation tends to confuse the issue. On the other hand, the Royal Aeronautical Society, which has hitherto carried out the spade work of aeronautical education in this country, is in favour of the original scheme for a national insti tution. What certainly does emerge from the discussion is unanimity for improved facilities for training in scientific research. Many desire to see a college provid ing education and training on the highest basis, to which should go only those who have obtained, either from a university or through other educational channels, a first-class basic engineering training. Additionally, there are those others who, eligible to go far in industry, either as general managers or directors, should have opportunity while they are still young to obtain tech nical instruction and background knowledge which it is impossible to obtain in any other way. Thus the whole gamut of aviation technique in administration and production would be covered in a comprehensive staff college such as has been envisaged alike by influen tial folk in the Government and in the industry, Even if the decision of the Government upon the matter is to be further delayed—for any good reason— some idea of the tenor of the Interdepartmental Com- mitee's report would be warmly. welcomed as a basis for further interim comment. BRITAIN'S FIRST MILITARY TRICYCLE : The Armstrong-Whitworth Albemarle .reconnaissance bomber which is now used as a glider tug and armed freighter. An illustrated description appears on pages 87 to 91.
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