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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1797.PDF
OCTOBER l6TH, I947 FLIGHT 445 a View of France—Part II Cognac, where, being seated with General Chassin, we had an opportunity not only to discuss school flying, but futureoperational needs, we motored to Sainte. Here, under the guidance of Commandant Potiron, we inspected the M.T. mechanics' and drivers' school, where 450 pupils are being efficiently initiated into vehicle handling, and returned once more to the airfield at Cognac where the Dakota waited to carry us to Bordeaux. The airfield at Bordeaux / Merignac will be remembered as the lair of the Fw2oos and other far-ranging Atlantic raiders which menaced our wartime shipping. To-day it harbours the 21st Heavy Bomber Wing, equipped with Handley-Page Halifax Vis (Bristol Hercules), and functions as an important transport base. Merignac is under the operational control of General Mon- trelay, Commandant of the 3rd Air Region, on whose behalf we were greeted by Colonel Moguez. In command of the Wing is Colonel Fourquet, to whom we are indebted for the operational statistics given hereafter. The two squadrons comprising the Wing are Nos. 1/21 ("Tunisie") and 2/21 (" Guyenne "). Strong ties exist between the 21st Wing and the R.A.F., for in war-time England, as Nos. 346 and 347 Squadrons, it was stationed at Elvington, in Yorkshire. Arriving at its French base it was to find the hangars 40 per cent des- troyed and 60 per cent unserviceable; other buildings were 33 per cent levelled and 50 per cent u/s. Runways, , FOUR-SEATER • SILVAIRE A Rugged, Adaptable Light Aircraft A NEW American utility light aircraft, which is being •'*• developed by the Luscombe Corporation, made its first public appearance at a meeting of the National Flying Farmers' Association held lately in Oklahoma. The air- craft, which will be known as the Lus;ombe Model II or the four-seater Silvaire, extends the line of Silvaire models which have hitherto been produced only as two-seaters powered by 65 and 85 h.p. engines. It is an all-metal (aluminium alloy) monoplane which has been so designed that it may be used as a " family " aircraft or, by remov- ing the detachable seats, quickly converted into a utility freighter. Useful factors are its ability to operate from small fields and a sturdy flexible undercarriage designed especially to withstand operation on rough ground. The performance figures available indicate that the Luscombe Model II will find popularity in the American private-owner market. It can carry a pilot, three pas- sengers, 100 1b of baggage, and a full complement of petrol (40 gallons) at a cruising speed of 130 m.p.h. for a range of over 500 miles, or, alternatively, with the seats re- moved, 600 lb of freight can be carried in addition to a full petrol load. Continental or Franklin engines are possible alternatives to the 165 h.p. Lycoming power unit. Maximum speed is expected to be between 150 and 160 m.p.h., and the landing speed around 58 m.p.h. Figures for the rate of clfmb are given as 800 ft/min. Wing span is 38ft and fuselage length 23ft. Wide cabin doors are fitted to enable bulky freight to be handled more easily, and 55 cubic feet of cargo space is available. Approxi- mately 3,716 square inches of window area have been incorporated in the design, and it can be seen from the accompanying photograph that the windshield, constructed in. one piece, the large rear windows and two windows in the top of the cabin ensure all-round visibility. In the cabin of the Model II, a wheel control has replaced the stick control of the two-seater Silvaire, and it is prob- though still fit for use, needed urgent restoration. Every one on the station exerted himself to the utmost and within five months a training programme was under way. Another job undertaken was the conversion of Halifax bombers into transports, with a ventral pannier, as on the Mk VIII and Halton, and it was a proud day when, on March 1st last year, the Dakar service, via Rabat, was inaugurated. Within a year 812,500 miles had been flown and 6,500 passengers and 550 tons of freight transported. Thus encouraged, the authorities called for a regular monthly service between Paris and Saigon, this in addition to a series of special flights which have included two to Brazil and one to the West Indies. For good measure the "21st" undertakes meteorological investigations over the Bay of Biscay and holds itself in readiness for A.S.R. duties. Meantime, the Air Crew Training School, using British technique, is preparing bombing crews. Two visits by Sir Frederick Handlcy-Page are remembered with pleasure. Also accommodated at Merignac is No. 137 R.A.F. stag ing post, commanded by S/L. Roberts. After being received at his Headquarters by General Montrelay we called on M. Jean-Paul Faurie, Director of the Nouvelle Republique, and were later guests of '.h> Chamber ot Commerce of Bordeaux in the exquisite tapes try-hung Salons Consulates. Dinner, at the Hotel de Bordeaux was offered by General Montrelay and attended by the British Vice-Consul and officers of I'Armee de I'Air (To be concluded) The Luscombe II or Silvaire. A private owner type or light freighter. able that a throw-over wheel may be incorporated in the production models. Full-scale demonstrations of the new four-seater Silvaire are expected to take place in America this autumn, and although no price has yet been fixed Mr. L. H. P. Klotz, President of the Luscombe Company, has stated that its cost will be in competition with the lowest-priced four- seater aircraft now being manufactured in the U.S. The appointment of a Luscombe Canadian distributor and demonstrator in Toronto seems to indicate that the Luscombe Corporation are to make a bid for a share in the Canadian light aircraft market. Aero Activities, Ltd., have been named as the Canadian distributors, and it is understood that the Silvaire Model II will make a demon station tour in Canada some time this month.
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