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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 1466.PDF
230 F 1 / G HT AUGUST 25TH, 1949 Civil Aviation News hers 35 aircraft and route-mileage has increased from 3,134 in 1946 to 7,780 in 1947 and to 13,652 at the end oi 1948. V * * It is reported that Turkey and Greece have refused transit permission to a Yugoslav air-transport concern planning to establish a regular service between Yugoslavia and Israel. * * * American Airlines report a profit of ^884,000 for the six months ended June 30th. Total revenue amounted to £12,438,000, which was 29 per cent higher than the figure for the first six months of 1948. Revenue passenger-miles increased by 28 per cent to 760,114,000; increases in mail ton-miles were 34 per cent and in freight ton-miles 51 per cent. * * " * ' •' Air India has increased the frequency of services on the Bombay-Calcutta route from nine to eleven a week in each direction; nine are flown non-stop with Vikings and the other two by Douglas DC-3S which make a refuelling halt at Nagpur. DC-3S are also flying on the Bombay-Madras service, which has been increased from a five-a-week to a daily frequency- ' # * * ~ During the year ended March 31st, New Zealand internal air services flew 4,015,831 miles, carrying 174,836 passengers, 1,923,626 lb of freight and 752,492 lb of mail. The annual report by the Civil Aviation Department states that ^275,000 was speru on maintaining 82 airfields. . , * * * -' • With the introduction by Swissair of a Zurich-Belgrade ser- vice, passengers from London are now able to reach Belgrade in one day. The B.E.A. and Swissair flights leaving Northolt Airport in the morning reach Zurich in time to connect with the Zurich-Belgrade service which leaves at 1350 hr. and arrives at Zemun Airport, Belgrade, at 1740 hr. The through fare, London-Belgrade, is £36 16s. single or £66 is return. FROM THE CLUBS THE Association of British Aero Clubs and Centres has beenfortunate enough to make arrangements with the Ministry of Supply whereby all landing fees will be waived in respect of club and privately owned aircraft landing at White Waltham to attend the Association's Summer Convention on September 3rd. (Some details of the Convention appeared on p. 154 of Flight for August nth.) In connection with the tour oi flying clubs arranged for next week-end, when the A.B.A.C.C. chairman will be accom- panied by Mr. Geoffrey de Fieitas and officials of the Air Ministry, and Mr. Liudgren, of the M.C.A., an itinerary has been agreed. Starting from Elstree at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, the party will fly to Panshanger, Sywell and on to Elmdon for lunch. In the afternoon they will visit Ratcliffe, Sher- burn (for tea), Yeadon and Squires Gate, staying the night in Blackpool. On Sunday morning the Dakota will take off for Hooton Park and from there the party will fly south to Wolverhampton and on to Bristol to be entertained for lunch. Visits will be made in the afternoon to Weston-super-Mare, Thruxton and Redhill; thence a return will be made to Elstree. * * # "DROOKSIDE Flying Group of the Ultra Light Aircraft -LJ Association (based at Shoreham) has acquired a Magister, which may be flown by members at 35s per hour. One of the Group's chief difficulties, however, is the scarcity of flying instructors to keep the aircraft fully employed, and the Group would be pleased to hear from any who would be interested to help. The Community Flying Club at Woodley. Reading, is still HISTORY REPEATED : Assembled at Hooton Pork in 1932, this Comper Swift now belongs to Mr. R. F. Clear, an Airspeed test pilot. It was owned for a period in pre-war years by Mr. G. B. S. Errington, the same company's chief test pilot. It is here seen <• t Christchurch Airfield beside one of the two prototype Ambassadors. in difficulties as a result of a notice to leave, since other accommodation is difficult to find. At Elstree, by arrange- ment with one of the private-owner members, the Experi- mental Group is operating an Auster for instructional pur- poses ; support is being given to the South Hants Group for its display at Christchurch on September 3rd with the Auster and the Group's Bibi. R.A.F. support has been promised for this display, and the Association hopes to have there the Zaunkoenig and possibly several other machines. It is understood that flyin-g facilities can be offered at Gatwick should a U.L.A.A. group be formed there. The Asso- ciation is keen to assist in every way to form such a group, for there are believed to be a number of members in South London who would find Gatwick a convenient centre. * * * PRIVATE flying in South Africa is likely to be seriouslyaffected by the Government control of imports. Such drastic restrictions have been imposed upon the import of light aircraft and spare parts, most of which are normally bought from the United States, that only a fraction of the 1946-47 purchases will be permitted. Attempts have been made to convince the Government that the restriction on spares, after light aircraft have been allowed into the country during the post-war years, will result in the closing-down of aircraft maintenance and repair organizations, flying clubs and the whole of private flying. Already some aircraft have been grounded, including several owned by the Government, • and it has been estimated that non-commercial flying throughout •tlit country will cease within three months. INDESTRUCTIBLE ? THE Comper Swift illustrated on this page hashad an interesting and chequered career. It was first bought by an Indian private owner in 1932 and during a subsequent flight back to this country was force-landed in the desert after leav- ing Cairo. The wreckage was shipped to Heston (whence Comper Aircraft had moved from Hooton Park) and was finally purchased by Mr. G. B. S. Errington in 1934. The Comper Swift was then rebuilt and used as a personal transport, among its various trips being a flight to Stockholm, where such a diminutive machine created something of a stir. During the war it was stowed away, but in spite of its long hibernation it was in such a condition that, over a period of three months, Mr. R. F. Clear, the present owner, brought it up to C. of A. standard in his spare time. Except for a 10-gall long-range tank from which fuel is hand- pumped into the normal 15^-gall gravity tank, the aircraft is a fairly standard Comper Swift powered by the usual Pobjoy geared radial of 75 b.h.p. The only notable exterior difference between this Swift and its contemporaries lies in the fact that the cockpit entry has been made large enough for entry and exit with a seat-type parachute. It will be remembered that A. L. Cole, flying his Comper Swift, Black Magi£ gained third place in the King's Cup race at Elmdon at a speed of 126 m.p.h. It now has a diminutive windshield. '. -••• " ".••;•• " • B 22
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