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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 0612.PDF
490 FLIGHT Y 6TH, 1948 Institute of Transport New Headquarters Opened in Portland Place " Flight •N OW close neighbours of the R.I.B.A., th Council and the B.B.C., the Institute of Transport opened its new headquarters at 80, Portland Place, W.i, on Friday last. -, The ceremony was performed by Mr. T. W. Royle, C.V.O., M.B.E., President of the Institute, who pointed out that the membership had now passed the 8,000 mark. In 1920, when the Institute was inaugurated, membership was less than 700^, and for next month's graduate^ and associate membership examinations some 1,200 candidates are sitting. When, in 1944, the Council decided to purchase pre- mises for the Institute it was, to use Mr. Royle's own words, " The greatest good fortune that the incoming presi- dent, who would have to launch the appeal for funds, was none' other than our friend Sir Frederick Handley Page Without his extraordinary ability to raise funds we should not have been meeting to-day in such a magnificent centre for our work." To mark the Institute's recognition of Sir Frederick's ser- vices, he was elected to Honorary Membership, which is the highest honour the Council can confer. Sir Frederick, in thanking the Council for the honour conferred on him, pointed out that there was still ^36,000 outstanding before the target of /ioo,ooo was reached, and referred to the Institute as a free university of transport. The present building at No. 80, Portland Place, was erected in 1905 and the first occupant was Baron Grim- thorpe. In 1925 it was the home of Admiral Lord Jellicoe, and four years later was leased by Mr. Mark Ostrer. Bombed in 1940, two years elapsed before any repairs were carried out. Later the building was requisitioned by the Ministry of Works and used as broadcasting studios for the American Forces network. Despite much ill-treatment since 1939 the building has (Above) The Louis XV conference suite in the newly opened headquarters of the Institute of Transport. Panelling is in bleached mahogany. (Left) The President congratulates Sir Frederick Handley Page after appointing him an Honorary Member of the Institute. On the extreme right is Mr. Gilbert S. Szlumper, C.B.E., Chairman of the Premises Committee. been restored in a splendid manner. The ex- quisite panelling appears perfect: in fact, the only visible scars Jeft of bombing and wartime occupation are those on the parquet floor of the conference suite. These are too deep to erase. Altogether the Institute is to be congratulated obtaining such noble quarters in face of esent-day restrictions. UNDERGROUND OVERGROUNDM EMBERS of the Paris Metro Union Sportive Metropolitanwho recently visited this country to compete against London Transport football, rugby and tennis teams, wereentertained to lunch by the London Transport Central Buses Sports Association Flying Club at Fair Oaks Airdrome. Thevisit to the airfield was arranged after the visitors from Paris had expressed a desire to see the flying club, in which theywere greatly interested, as it is hoped a similar club will be started by the Paris Metro. The visitors were given joy ridcjfin the club's three Tiger Moths, and a return visit to France by British teams next year is planned. CAMBRIDGE V.R. AND UNIVERSITY SQUADRON MEETING ON Sunday, May 2nd, No. 22 Reserve Flying School, Cam-bridge, and the University Air Squadron were " At"Home " at Marshall's Airfield. Just in time weather improved suffi-ciently for the flying programme to commence, and the day's events were finally completed in sunshine. The programme included a treasure hunt, formation com-petition, aerobatic displays by a trainer and a sailplane, and a spot landing competition. A special welcome had beenextended to members of the Cambridge A.T.C., some of whom were able to fly with competing pilots. Results of the competitions were:Aerial treasure hunt: 1, F/O. Cook, C.U.A.S.; 2, Cadet Pilot Puttock; 3, F/O. Lander, C.U.A.S. Formation flying:R.A.F.V.R. team of 22 Reserve Flying School, led by Pilot 2 Merrett with F/O. Hobday and F/O. Roland. Second werethree members of the Cambridge Aero Club, and the C.U.A.S. were third. Spot landing competition: 1, F/O. Cook (97 yd);2, F/O. Gilbert, R.A.F.V.R. (100 yd); 3, F/O. Plumb, R.A.F.V.R. (104 yd). The Marshall Challenge Bowl (capacity 1 gal), the tramprize, was awarded to the Cambridge University Air Squadron.
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