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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 0680.PDF
FLIGHT APRIL 21ST, 1949 Madeira by Air bassy arid Consul-General), Dr. Amorim Ferreira (head of Portugal's national meteorological service), Mr Pinto Basto and Dr. A. Figueria (Governor of the Portuguese port of Setubal, a diversionary marine air terminal). Col. Ldbo da Costa, Governor of Madeira, came along from Lisbon to our distant Tagus mooring to "see ras off on our way to Funchal. Lavish hospitality awaited us at Funchal. Mrs. Cary Garton (mother of W/C. Garton), who has long agitated for an air service to Madeira, was particularly kind. Other leading Funchal personalities who showed generous interest in the Aquila project included Dr. Jose Leite Monteiro (Acting Governor), who paid an official visit to the Hamp- shire, Brigadier Silva Braga (Military Governor), Com- .mander Voso Camacho de Freitas (Captain of the Port), Dr. Bastos Machado (Mayor), Mr. Bryce Nairn (British Consul in Madeira) and Mr. Graham Blandy. Two of many incidents indicating the island's delight at the prospect of an air service should be quoted. On our first night at Funchal diners at the smart Savoy Hotei stood and applauded the uniformed crew of the Hampshire as they walked across the dance floor to their tables. When Barry Aikman went to pay the bill on the morning we left. the hotel manager told him: "Sir, there is no bill. You are our guests. We have been delighted to have you." EASTER MONDAY AT ELSTREE Air-Display Season Opens BRILLIANT sunshine and summer-like temperatures drewan enthusiastic crowd of spectators to the air display atElstrt-e on Easter Monday, organized by the United Services Flying Club in aid of the Soldiers', Sailors' and Air- men's Families Association. The flying programme started at 1100 hr with the eliminating rounds lor the bombing competition by members of the -club This curtain-raiser was followed by three Auster Vs flying in formation and at 1230 Mr. Dudley Hiscox gave a demonstra- tion of soaring in a Chilton Olympia sailplane. By this time the morning's fresh breeze had strengthened, but, although the sun disappeared for some time during the afternoon, the weather remained lint1. The afternoon programme was started at 1415 hr with a second demonstration of soaring in the Olympia, followed by more formation flying by the Auster Vs. F/O. Twyman, of No. 1 Reserve Flying School, Panshanger, performed solo aero- batics in a Tiger Moth, showing just how a club aircraft should not be flown by amateurs, and landed as a Newbury Eon took ofl with an Eon Olympia in tow. On reaching a height of some 1,500ft the Olympia cast off and after soaring, diving and turning for some ten minutes, made the characteristic approach and landing of the high performance sailplane. Three Tiger Moths, flown by R.Aux.A.F. pilots of No. 1 Reserve Flying School, demonstrated close-formation flying, over the airfield, and then S/L. Ranald Porteous put through its paces the Auster Autocrat fitted with the Goodyear self- aligning undercarriage; tfie pilot amply proved its cross-wind- landing capabilities by landing ofl a stalled turn across wind— in fact, practically down-wind. Attention was diverted from the smaller aircraft at this stage by the arrival of three Superfortresses of the U.S.A.F. Three times these impressive aircraft flew in low over the runway, then, as they flew ofi towards the east, F/O. Twyman took up his Tiger Moth again; but he -retired to a discreet distance as the bombers turned and came in for a final run and banked steeply over the hangar before flying away, leaving the field clear foT the Tiger Moth's aerobatics. Towed by an Auster V, Mr. F. Marmol, who recently attempted to bieak the world gliding endurance record, flew a Zlin sailplane. While he was attaining sufficient height, a D.H. Rapide, with the door removed, took off for a triple parachute descent by Messrs. Owen, "Apex" and Rawling. The commentator promised a surprise, but unfortunately all three parachutes landed in a field about a mile away and nothing more was seen until two parachutists tramped on to the airfield about an hour later, carrying their opened para- chutes; the identity of "Apex," therefore, remained, for the time being, a mystery. Meanwhile, the Zlin sailplane had gained sufficient height and cast off, losing height slowly at first and then being put -,.. through an impressive series of evolutions until, after a steep dive, its pilot made a nicely judged landing. Six Spitfires of No. 604 R.Aux.A.F. Squadron, under the command of S/L. T. Lofts, D.F.C., appeared and performed air drill, after which they peeled off, dived across the airfield and then flew off home in formation to North Weald. The flying programme ended with the final of the bombing competition, in which a number of Austers and one Piper Cub took part. The competition was won by Cmdr. Nelson, U.S. Navy, flying a Piper Cub. The flying programme ended at 1800 hr, but Rapides were occupied until dark with joy-riding. GYRODYNE ACCIDENT IT is with deep regret that Flight has to record the loss ofthe Fairey Gyrodyne and the consequent death of Mr. F. H. Dixon, who, with S/L. B. H. Arkell, has done the makers' helicopter development flying; Mr. Derek Garroway, flight observer, also lost his life. The accident occurred last Sunday, at Ufton, near Reading. No details as to the possible cause are available at the time of writing. "Dickie" Dixon, who was 37 years of age, served in the '.-/• R.A.F. from 1933 to 1936, was appointed assistant test pilot :; to the Fairey company in the latter year, and was chief test .."'' pilot irom 1942 to 1946; he has since been largely concerned ' with the firm's helicopter programme, and with the introduc- tion here of the Primer trainer and Juniors. When the accident occurred, Mr. Dixon was making final flight trials preparatory to an attempt, scheduled for last Tues- day, to establish a 100-km closed-circuit helicopter record. It will be recalled that last June the Gyrodyne set up a new world's speed record of 124.3 rn.p.h. over a 3-km straight-line course, and it was confidently expected that the new record would" be made at a slightly higher average speed. The machine which was lost was the prototype; another, the passenger demonstration model, exists. A detailed description of the Gyrodyne appears elsewhere in this Issue. FORTHCOMING EVENTS April 21st.—Royal Aeronautical Society : " High Lift Devices and their Use," R. R. Duddy, A.F.R.Ae.S. April 21st.—R.Ae.S. (Gloucester and Cheltenham) : Annual General Meeting. Followed by film "Atomic Physics," at Gloucester. April 26th to 28th.—R.A.F. Golfidg^ociety : Spring Meeting at Berkshire Golf Cfub, Ascot. April 27th.—R,Ae.S. (Weybridge) : " Present Day Problems in Safety Requirements," W. Tye, O.B.E., B.Sc, F.R.Ae.S. April 28th.—Royal AeronautieaJ Society : The 37th Wilbur Wright Lecture. " The Aeronautical Research Scene—Goals, Methods and Accomplishments," Dr. Hugh Dryden, F.R.A,«.S. April 28th.—R.Ae.S. (Coventry) : Annual General Meeting and film. April 28th.—R.Ae.S. (Manchester) : "Rocket Propulsion and Interplanetary Flight," A. V. Cleaver, A.R.Ae.S, April 29th to May 15th.—Paris Aero Salon. April 30th.—No. 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron and A. V. Roe Ltd. : Air Display at Woodford airfield. May 2nd.—R.Ae.S. (Derby) : " Lubrication of Aero Gas Turbines," J. G. Dawson, B.Sc., A.F.R.Ae.S. May 3rd.—R.Ae.S. (Graduates and Students) ? " Notes on Fighter Development, 1936 1948," J. K. QuiH, O.B.E., A.F.C. May 4th.—R.Ae.S. (Luton) : "Some Flying Experiences," Lt. Cdr. E. M. Brown, O.B.E., D.S.C., A.F.C., M.A., A.F.R.Ae.S., R.N. May 6th.—Scientific Instrument Manufacturers' Association : Annual Dinner and Dance, May Fair Hotel. May 7th.—Royal Air Force Rowing Club : Annual Regatta, Reading. May 8th.—Royal Aeronautical Society : Garden Party. May 12th.—R.Ae.S. (Graduates' and Students' Section) : " Pressure Cabins," D. Cardwell, B.Sc,, A.C.G.I.. A.F.R.Ae.S. May 18th.—R.Ae.S. Weybridge) : Branch Members' Junior Prize Lecture. May 21st.—Northamptonshire Aero Club : 21st Anniversary Air Display. May 21st.—Aero Golfing Society : Summer meeting and " Flight," Trophy, Ashridge Course. May 26th and 27th.—National Physical Laboratory : " Open Days " May 26th for representatives of industrial organizations and May 27th for members of university staffs and government departments. May 28th.—Wolverhampton Aero Club : " At Home " and Air Display. May2»th.—Ultra Light Aircraft Association : Air Rally, Derby Airport. H tS
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