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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1729.PDF
OCTOBK-K 9TH, 1947 FLIGHT 403 : A Halifax of the 21st Heavy Bomber Wing, stationed at BordeauxjMerignac, over Paris. Part I.—The Diary of a Ten-day Tour of Industrial, Scientific if- and Military Centres v September 23rd.T HE comfort of the 8 o'clock B.E.A. Vlfcing, ex Northolt, was fair compensation for a bleak 5 a.m. arising. A ground speed of 224 m.p.h. brought as •ii-over Le Bourget well 011 time and on breaking cloud at • -400 feet or so we saw an R.A.F. York standing, John , Bull-like, among the sleeker craft of many nations. As -•* our bus swung out of the main gates Mr. Ernest Bevin arrived in his black, bullet-proofed car. A taxi from the airways terminus at the Gare des Invalides brought us to the Air Attache's office at the British Embassy, in the Rue du Faubourg St. . Honore, on time for an appointment. We were made welcome by S/L. G. G. -A. Davies, D.F.C., Staff Officer to A.V.-M, R. A. George, C.B.E., M.C. The Air Vice-Marshal, who received us • later, carries a treble responsibility as British Air Attache, A.O.C. France, and head of the R.A.F. Delegation. Air Marshal Douglas Colyer, the Civil -Air Attache, was sick, and Mr. Hart- shorn was absent on his business as Scientific Liaison Officer. As for ten days we were to witness France's own •.- aeronautical effort, we were prompted to request from the Air Attache's office some details of the aid already pro- vided by Great Britain. France is receiving, for the nse of I'Armee de I'Air, 242 Spitfire IXs, 238 Mosquitoes of various marks, 64 Halifax Vis, 141 Ansons, and 185 Wel- lingtons, in addition to a great quantity of ground equip- ment and armament. The French naval air arm is taking By H- F- KING, M.BJE. AT the invitation of the FrenchAir Ministry, the writer has lately been touring French air- craft and engine factories, research establishments and units of I'Armee de I'Air. The first part of the day-to-day record of his experiences is given here. He describes his reception by the French Air Minister, his visits to the S.N.E.C.M.A. and S.N.CJV.N. factories and to the O.N.E.R.A. research establishment at Chalais- Meudon. over 48 Seafire Ills, 13 Sunderland Ills, 32 recon- naissance Wellingtons, and 65 Spitfire^ Anson and Welling- ton trainers. Furthermore, to assist in the reconstruction of France's own industry, technicians from Rolls-Royce, Armstrong-Siddeley, de Havilland, Vickers, Handley Page, Bristol and Rotol are attached to the Hispano Suiza, Marcel Bloch, Voisin, Aerazur, S.N.C.A.N., S.N.C.A.S.O., and A.I.A. organizations. Our conducting officers—Captains Renaud and Mouzels and Sub-Lt. Maurin now arrived to accompany us to the French Air Ministry, where we were met by M. Romain Frugier, chief of the civil cabinet of the Air Minister, Colonel Garde, who holds a post corresponding to our D.P.R., and M. Vignaud, of M. Frugier's depart ment. All these gentlemen, except Col. Garde, were to come on tour with us and the party was to be completed by S/L. Davies. Lunch was provided at the "Maridor" Cercle Interalhe de V Aviation "Jean Maridor ") in the Avenue du President Wilson. This beautiful club was founded by the family of Jean Maridor who was killed over England in shooting down a flying bomb after achiev- ing great success against these missiles. Our next call took us back to the Air Ministry, where we were received in his apartments by the Air Minister, M. Andre Maroselii, and where we met General Piollet, Chief of the Air Staff, General Domino, G.O.C. 2nd Air Region, and other high-ranking officers, including Mile.
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