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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 1553.PDF
SEPTEMBER I6TH, 1948 THE S.B.A.C. DISPLAY FLIGHT 359 peared during the week owing to other commit- ments ; the Vampire, in the hands of John Derry, and the Hawker P. 1040, with "Wimpy" Wade at the controls, both put up impressive demonstrations of speed and manoeuvrability, and the Meteors, both single- seater and trainer version, were equally impressive. Among the civil aircraft demonstrations the most interesting was that of the Ambassador. Piloted by George Errington, this machine was taken off on one engine only, the port airscrew being feathered before it taxied on to the run- way ; the Ambassador then climbed away on the starboard engine and manoeuvred with apparent ease in full view of the spectators, turning gracefully both '' with'' and " against' its operating engine, and finally made a smooth approach and landing, still with the port airscrew feathered. This was the first complete single-engined demonstration in public and only the third time this feat has been performed on the Ambassador. After finishing its demonstration flight the de Havilland Dove put down on the runway in the normal manner, and, by the use of its reversible pitch airscrews, came to rest in a very short distance and then reversed back along the runway. Possibly the sudden burst of power following selection of reverse pitch may have misled the uninitiated into thinking the aircraft was about to take off again. Of the smaller aircraft, the Auster Autocrat flown by towry showed off the Goodyear drift undercarriage on both taking off and landing, and this performance was effective although the wind was not so favourable for drift demon- strations as it had been earlier in the week. George Errington completes his single-engined performance on the Airspeed Ambassador. The Goodyear mechanism for drift undercarriage is housed entirely within the hub of the wheel itself. This is made possible by the use of the Goodyear '' single spot'' hydraulic brake, which is mounted on the side of the wheel, leaving the hub itself free for the inclusion of the castering device. At the conclusion of the flying display the public again visited the exhibition halls, and it was only when the stands were, being covered with dust-sheets and police were shepherding people away from the entrance to the halls that the bus queues formed, and the hundreds of cars began to make their way through the exits. Unfortunately, on the following afternoon, Sunday, September 12th, the weather was extremely poor, and the flying display ceased, after the demonstration of the D.H. 108. THE NEW AIRCREW ENLISTMENT SCHEME THE Secretary of State for Air, Mr. Arthur Henderson,speaking at the R.A.F. Association's Festival at the Albert Hall on Sunday, made the first mention of a new enlistmentprogramme for R.A.F. aircrew, recruiting for which began on Monday. There are now vacancies in all five aircrew categories, forthe first time since before the end of the war. Although all candidates sign on for an initial engagement of eight years'active and four years' reserve service, there are provisions under the new scheme which draw a dividing line betweenpilots and navigators on one hand, and signallers and engi- neers and gunners on the other. The increasing responsi-bilities placed on pilots and navigators of modern military aircraft are recognized in the decision to award to them agreater number of commissions—some guaranteed to satis- factory candidates at their selection boards, and the remainderto suitable pilots and navigators serving as aircrew. All officers on the eight-year engagement will be considered for permanent commissions, normally in the sixth year. Gratuitiespaid on leaving the service at the end of eight years will be ^100 for each year of commissioned service and ^40 for eachyear of aircrew service as pilot or navigator. Signallers, engineers and gunners will have opportunities ofbeing selected as long-service aircrew, or may be awarded com- missions in ground branches after completing the initial eightyears' aircrew service. They will not, however, be awarded commissions in the General Duties Branch. It does seem thatby this decision, necessary as it may be, there will" be some loss of attraction to potential volunteers and lack of incentiveto aircrew in these categories."" Gratuities payable will be £32 for each year of aircrew service as signaller, engineer orgunner. Volunteers must be between 17! and 24 (25 in exceptionalcases), fit, and of School Certificate standard. A report on the selection tests for aircrew now carried outat R.A.F., North Weald, will appear in our next issue. * SATURDAY AT BELFAST LARGE crowds were attracted to Belfast Harbour airport onSeptember nth, when the Northern Ireland Area Com-mittee of the Royal Air Force Association held their second annual air display. Profiting from last year's experience, themarshalling arrangements were really efficient and the flying area was kept clear of spectators. Among distinguished visi-tors, was Air Marshal J. W. Baker, C.B., M.C., D.F.C., who was representing the Air Ministry. The weather was patchy,with heavy showers falling at intervals which drove spectators to the static exhibition. Flying, however, proceeded accordingto plan. As an introduction, all the aircraft taking part in the displayflew past; then a Mosquito of the local Auxiliary squadron (No. 502) peeled off and treated the assembly to a display ofaerobatics. This was followed by a Naval Sea Fury, piloted by Lt. Cdr. Paul Whitfield, who close-turned and Tolled athigh speed. The Navy followed this by a low-level bombing attack by a squadron oi Barracuda 3s, led by Lt. Cdr. Patter-son. Two of the Barracudas demonstrated RATOG; an Air- B 29 speed Consul, flown by W/C. Terry McCombe, obliged duringa slight lull, until six Superfortresses of the U.S.A.F. made two courtesy fly-pasts.Now came a demonstration of the Martin-Baker ejection seat, by Bernard Lynch, from a Meteor 3, piloted by CaptainJ. Scott, of the National Gas Turbine Establishment, who also demonstrated the handleability of the Meteor. A mock bomb-ing attack, anti-aircraft defensive tactics, and a display of crazy flying by the Queen's University Air Squadron, con-cluded the afternoon. COMPETITION IN AUSTRALIA Ansett Airways are to continue with the reduced fares policywhich was introduced on the Melbourne-Tasmania route for the period June to September. The company claim thatpatronage has been so good that the service can be operated profitably at the reduced rates. As announced in Flight, July15th, both T.A.A. and A.N.A. have reduced fares on certain routes to meet competition from Ansett Airways, but on allother routes the 20 pei cent increase in fares approved by the Australian civil aviation authorities is being retained.
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