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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 2062.PDF
FLIGHT, 29 December 1-349 Typifying Service activity in 1949 : new equipment for the R.A.F. included numbers of Meteor 7 trainers (top left) and Hastings trans- " ports (lower right) ; the latter began operation on trunk routes to the Far East on conclusion of the Air Lift. Above (right) is a representative scene on September 17th, during Battle of Britain Week, when 82 R.AJ\ stations were cpen to the public Pictured together at Bomber Command H.Q. during Exercise Bulldog, also in September, are the commanders of the major components involved— Air Marshals Sir Aubrey Ellwood (Bomber Command) and Sir Basil Embry (Fighter Command), Gen. Sir G. I. Thomas (A. A. Command) and Gen. L W. Johnson (3rd Air Division, LJ.S.A.F.) THE YEAR PAST . . - of the paramount importance of the H.A.F. in relation 1:0 -the nation's defence structure—the appointment of Air Marshal Sir William Elliot, former A.O.C.-in-C, Fighter Command, as Chief Staff Officer to the Ministry of Defence. At home, proof of the humanitarian capabilities of air transport was supplied daily by the Berlin Air Lift's successful winter pro- gress and, overseas, by a smaller counterpart, the relief opera- tion by the R.A.F. in Arabia. Another military occasion with civil associations was the demonstration of various types of air ambulance, including helicopters, by Transport Command at Brize Norton. The re-formation of No. 43 Squadron at Tangmere, In February, and the Bomber Command Reunion the following month were different expressions of the same regard for R.A.F. achievements which have already become tradition. Notable Naval Aviation developments announced in February were the use of flexible flight-decks for aircraft carriers, and the inclusion of a light fleet carrier in a Naval force destined for a period of experimental operation in Arctic waters. The revival of the Esher Trophy competition for R.Aux.A.F. fighter squadrons, a contract for R.A.F.V.R. Chipmunks to replace Tiger Moths and the formation of the Auxiliary A.O.P. Force were three events—all in March—which focused interest on the increasing importance of the air' reserve forces. Also in this month came the first of the year's major manoeuvres— an air defence exercise in Scotland. The graduation of the first complete post-war course from the R.A.F. College, Cran- well, took place in April—a welcome renewal of the system which has produced many prominent high-ranking officers of the R.A.F. to-day. An outstanding event in May was the Chief of the Air Staff's Conference Ariel, in which problems affecting every aspect of the R.A.F. were discussed between members of civil professions as well as high-ranking Service authorities. The end of June saw the opening of two full-scale air exercises. The first, code-named Foil, was primarily a test of Britain's air defences, by day and night, and was par- ticularly notable for the smooth co-operation between the . British, U.S., Netherlands and other Western Union units involved. Mainly naval, Exercise Verity also gave invaluable experience to Western Union air forces and carrier-borne squadrons. In these, as in other 1949 exercises, the keen spirit of the forces engaged was a reward additional to the operational lessons learned. Service activity was also marked during August: Meteors made a successful good will tour of Scandinavia (Vampires made similar visits to Turkey and Italy later in the year), and the British Air Forces of Occupa- . tion staged an impressive show of tactical air power at Gutersloh in the British Zone of Germany. It was announced during the same month that Marshal of the R.A.F/ Lord Tedder was to be succeeded as C.A.5., in the New Year, by Air Chief Marshal Sir John Slessor. In August, also, were announced the formation of the Fighter Control Branch and the amalgamation of the R.A.F. Empire Schools. Bomber Command, supported by B-50S and B-29S of the U.S.A.F., was out in full strength during Exercise Bulldog, in September. The exercise proved the ability and high morale of the crews, and also endorsed the urgent need for more advanced bombers and night fighters. Following the termination of the Air Lift early in October, Transport Com- mand (strengthened by the acquisition of Hastings and Valettas) returned to routine work on the trunk routes to overseas commands. More recently there have been reports that the need for national economy may necessitate a reduc- tion in the size of Transport Command. Throughout the year came recurring announcements of overseas sales, or licences for overseas production, of British military aircraft, particularly fighters. Such agreements not only increased our own export drive and the air power of allied or friendly nations, but also testified to the high stan- dards of equipment used by the Services.
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