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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 1527.PDF
• A. CTlfe Full Report from Farriborough : Some 40 New Aircraft : Excellent Progress in J Jjtrbine Development Illustrated by " Flight" photographs and I F anyone should say that, because of the lengthygestation of a new aircraft and aero engine, an annualshow is tco frequent, the Society of British Aircraft Constructors has certainly confounded such an argument this year. No one would venture to say that there are not sufficient new wares on dispby this afternoon—indeed, there are nearly 40 aircraft of all types which have not been seen before at an S.B.A.C. show." Those words, spoken by the Minister cf Supply, Mr. G. R. Strauss, M.P., at the official opening luncheon at Farn- borough, will be echoed by everyone who had the good fortune to attend last week's display and exhibition. There has been so much criticism, most of it unjustified, of the British aircraft industry that many began to think there must be some basis for it. Farnborough gave an effective and convincing answer. The show was truly magnificent, and there can be few of the 2,000 or so special guests from overseas who are not going back to their own countries with a firm conviction that Great Britain is still in the fore- front where aviation material or every kind is concerned. The effects of the S.B.A.C. show are not easy to assess, but there is no doubt that last year's show at Radlett helped very materially in bringing the export figure up to nearly ^24,000,000. This year promises even better, and how thoroughly the S.B.A.C. had " covered the world " in its invitations is shown by the fact that no fewer than 69 countries were represented, a far greater number than at any previous event of this kind. Altogether some 10,000invitations to see the display were accepted, and there were probably few, judging from the huge attendance, whofailed to turn up. The number of different tongues heard at Farnborough was quite remarkable, many of them un-recognisable to British ears. The organisers could not pos- sibly cater linguistically for them all, but by broadcastingthe commentaries in French and Spanish as well as in English there were probably few who could not follow theannouncements in one language or other. On the whole, the organization was excellent, and everyinterest was catered for by having flying demonstrations in the afternoons of the first three days, with a"grounded " day on the Friday, when technicians and en- gineers from the industry and from Government depart-ments had an opportunity to study the exhibits closely and at leisure. The general public turned up by the thousandson the Saturday and Sunday afternoon, when the same flying demonstrations were given as during the "tradedays." Sunday morning had very properly been set aside for the personnel of the Royal Aircraft Establishment itself. On the following pages are given illustrated reports andimpressions of the exhibits and flying displays, from which those of our readers who were unable to visit Farnboroughwill be able to form an opinion of the very high standards achieved by the British aircraft industry in its ninth exhi-bition. WELCOMING THE GUESTS: Sir Roy Dobson, president of the S.B.A.C., speaking at the official luncheon at farnborough. On his right are Sir Frank Spriggs, managing director of the Hawker Siddeley group, and Mr. G. R. Strauss, Minister of Supply. On his left can be seen Mr. A. Henderson, Secretary of State for Air, Mr. W. R. Verdon Smith, vice-president of the Society, and Mr. G. Lindgren, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation. On the left, in the foreground, is Mr. E. C. Bowyer, director of S.B.AC., who is seated next to Copt. Vroonen of the Belgian Air Ministry.
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