FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1944
1944 - 1961.PDF
SEPTEMBER 2IST, 1544 FLIGHT 317 will never bold its position. The women have come to stay, and I can see no reason why they should not fill almost any position in post-war civil aviation. This work of the A.T.A. must not be allowed to die after the war. ID some direction or another, individually if not collectively, the spirit and achievements of the A.T.A. must be allowed to count towards the future of flying in this country, British Aviation After the War I do not accept at all what many critics, some with knowledge and many without, axe loudly saying as to the inevitability of Britain's inferior position in the post-war civil aviation of the world. I think it does British industry little good to keep on crying "stinking fish," long and loud, about present and future types of British transport compared to those of other countries, for I have confi dence that British industry can still turn out the world's best product, given opportunity to do so. % Of course we are at a disadvantage at the present, and ill have to make up the lee-way lost to us, because of the drking of the agreed policy of the Allies, that we should concentrate our resources on combat types, leaving to others the supply of transports for our joint use. If this has cost us a position of disadvantage for British civil aviation in the immediate post-war period, let us look at the huge gain on the other side of the balance sheet. We have achieved absolute superiority over the Luft waffe in every theatre of war, and without which D-Day landings would have been impossible. We have battered German industry and communications which has made possible the spectacular advances of our armoured ground forces. We have beaten the U-boat menace. The air is to the Allies. Could we have done it with less? Could we have switched over industrial capacity sooner to transport types with an eye to post-war ? Our critics of red leather benches and armchairs say "Yes." They are entitled to express their views, but it is not they but we who have had the responsibility of ensuring ade quate aircraft supplies for these and other fighting tasks. It is we, not they, who had knowledge of what was available. It is we, not they, who had to assess the require ments for the fulfilment of battle tasks in relation to what we had at our disposal. We have won our objectives, but if we had not done so, would not those very same critics have been in the van of condemnation—and rightly so? Would not those same critics have castigated the Air Ministry as having betrayed the Nation's trust and failed our gallant aircrews? It is when victory in the air has been achieved that it is easy to forget the sacrifices, not only of life and material but also of opportunity, which must be accepted as part of the price to be paid. And that, Mr. Critic, is all I have to say to you. The very speed at which the war is travelling towards defeat of Germany has given us an opportunity to speed up our programme of civil types. So let us stop arguing about what has happened in the past and get on with the job. For the first time since 1939 we can lift our eyes from the paramount purpose of beating the Luftwaffe. Let Britain go forward now in a united effort to make up the lee-way—which we ought joyfully to accept for what it has brought to us. Criticism Welcomed Governments are rightly meant to be criticised, and it is a healthy and right process in a democratic system. So by- all means criticise the Air Ministry, the Ministry of Air craft Production, the Ministers of those Departments and everyone else therein, for it would never do for anyone to show signs of becoming complacent or satisfied, but rather should one always be conscious of shortcomings. However, from now on I hope the public will turn this spotlight of critical attention on our Departments in respect of their future policy and actions and this is as it should be. Plans and programmes do exist for an orderly world system of civil aviation, rather than uncontrolled inter national competitive chaos. Plans do exist for spreading British civil aircraft over our Empire routes. On these let the Government be judged during the coming months. Governments can come and Governments can go. Men can change positions, but I am sure that as a Nation in the field of civil aviation we need not and shall not be found wanting in the long run. WEST AFRICAN AIR CORPS MANY hundreds of R.A.F. men now in West Africa will be released for service elsewhere when recruiting for the newly formed West African Air Corps is complete. Some have already been released by the employment of African civilians. The first recruit was enrolled on the last day of January this year. Already nearly 3,000 have joined, and by the middle of next year the total is expected to be over the 6,000 ji mark. They will form part of the R.A.F. West African Com mand which, in conjunction with the Royal Navy, keeps open the central Atlantic shipping routes. The scheme began as far back as 1942, when the Inspector- General ol the R.A.F., after a visit to West Africa, strongly "GOLDEN HIND" GOES EAST * Continued from page 315) If fewer than 32 passengers are carried, one side of the main cabin is arranged as a promenade so that passengers may lean against a rail and look out of the windows. Smoking is permitted in three of the cabins. Fresh air, pre-heated to any required temperature, is supplied to each cabin, and a pantry and steward's accommodation is pro vided in the forward end of the boat. Two lavatories and washrooms are situated just aft of the rear passenger cabin and a third for crew's use is located forward, beside the access to the control deck. Freight holds are situated above, before and behind the passenger cabins, and are capable of taking a total of 9,000 lb. Lifting tackle is also provided capable of lifting a complete Hercules eng'ne from a launch alongside. With very comfortable accommodation for 38 passengers, stowage for 4 tons of freight and 3,600 gallons of fuel and a maximum loaded weight of 33^ tons, Golden Hind is capable of carrying a great variety of loads. recommended the enlistment of Africans rather than their con tinued employment on a civilian basis. In April, 1943, Group Captains D. W. Stannard and G. A. R. Muschamp undertook a tour of Africa from Gibraltar to Zanzibar and back to Cairo to invesigate the potential field of employment. Group Captain Stannard was unfortunately killed in an air accident on the way back, but Group Captain Muschamp returned with the plan which six months later began to take shape. Now Africans are enrolling for training as fitters, draughts men, carpenters, electricians and many other trades. Pay ranges from is. to 5s. Gd. a day according to trade and rank, besides a marriage allowance of 6d. a day and free food and accommodation. It is hoped that many of their trades will be useful to them after the war. One recruit has already gained the rank of flight sergeant. Although many different tribes are represented among those who are joining the Corps, most of the recruits speak English, and this will be the common language. They are serving at Air Force bases in Gambia, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast and Nigeria. Among them are men who have fought with the Army in North Africa. NIGHT SLEEPERS TO NEW YORK A S soon as the war is over in Europe, Scottish Aviation, Ltd., it is reported, will operate a night-sleeoft trans- ocean service between Prestwick (Ayrshire) andyRew York at fares below- ships" average,Jto^dasB"rates.*1 D. F. Mclntyre, the company's, managing d: said'.that American companies have ;' moment " cease, fire'.' has been sounc; " There -wilLrtfe' no lack of -bookings,"/ already th#e is a great demand for. air,/ hurfdredsrcl enquiries for particulars "A At life trip will ber ot, passengers will be increased and the time Wit to 11 hours. Fares will ^lsOyOrop. Other worked x pla ove lid, We have ha becat
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
