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Aviation History
1950
1950 - 1781.PDF
One of South African Airways' new Constellations seen from the shadow of the Hermes' wing at Palmietfontein Airport, Johannesburg AFRICA'S AIRPORTS ... The small Victoria Falls airfield continues to be used for light and medium aircraft. Central African Airways Corpcfration is based at Salisbury, 300 miles to the east, while Lusaka to the north is the administrative centre for Northern Rhodesia. A description of Livingstone Airport and a brief account of its opening have already been published (Flight, August 10 and 17 respectively). Most visitors were agreeably surprised at what they saw. The buildings are in most attractive and colourful modern style and the main reception hall and restaurant are tastefully decorated. A screen comprising one complete wall of the dining- room deserves special mention, for it is made up of separate glass panels of double thickness, between which are pressed and sealed examples of all the grasses of Rhodesia. These are no mere tufts but artistically laid out specimens—all of great beauty. A cocktail party, dinner and dance which concluded a day of festivity for Livingstone also marked the end of the first stage of Hannibal's flight. On the following day the journey south to Johannesburg was made and a programme of demonstration flights continued. Though by no means unappreciative of the efforts of those taking part, the large British contingent for the opening display at Livingstone were probably more impressed by the gathering at this small and rather remote centre of so many people closely connected with aviation in Africa than with the flying demonstra- tions. In England we are spoiled, and may even have become blast, as a result of seeing such brilliant demonstrations as those at the S.B.A.C. Show and the R.A.F. Display. It must be added, however, that the S.A.A.F. Vampires could hold their own in any company, and their exciting display showed signs of the influence of both British and American jet aerobatic teams. Lord Pakenham chose the B.O.A.C. flying-boat service for his journey out to Livingstone, landing at the nearby Zambesi River b&SS. He returned by the faster South African Airways Springbok Skymaster service. Present with the Minister for the opening ceremony were Sir Arnold Overton, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation; Sir Miles Thomas; and Sir Godfrey Huggins, prime minister of Southern Rhodesia; and Brigadier AMERICA'S LATEST TURBOPROP Victoria Falls, on the Zambesi River near Livingstone. The photo- graph was taken through the double windows of the Hermes G. G. Ross, director-general of civil aviation in South, Africa. Before Lord Pakenham's address Mr. R C. S. Stanley, the acting governor, welcomed official guests by name, and talked at length about Livingstone Airport, its planning, construction, and?,, those responsible for it. He also read messages from Mr. Sauer,? South African Minister of Transport: "My congratulations on the? achievement of the Northern Rhodesia Government in the com-; pletion of your fine airport." From Sir John Kennedy, Governor of Southern Rhodesia: " I should have liked to be present at the opening ceremony of your new airport which will contribute so greatly to the development of Central Africa." The Right Honour- able James Griffiths, Secretary of State for the Colonies: " My hope that the traffic which will use the new airport will contribute materially to prosperity." Sir Gilbert Rennie, Governor of Northern Rhodesia (on leave in England): "Unforseen and per- plexing technical difficulties have been met with in the course of construction but have been successfully overcome by determined efforts and good teamwork. I congratulate all who are responsible for the satisfactory completion of this fine airport." Johannesburg.—A trip lasting little more than two hours brought us over Pretoria, the great belt of gold mines and Johannesburg itself, where a landing was made at Palmietfontein Airport. The purpose here was to show off the Hermes and, incidentally, to be present at the nanvng ceremony of one of South African Airways' new Constellations. These aircraft are about to replace Skymasters and by mutual agreement to operate the Springbok South African-London service in conjunction with B.O.A.C. Hermes. Flying-boat services are, of course, about to be withdrawn. The four new S.A.A. Connies of the latest type are named after Union cities, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria. The Connie's best qualities appeal particularly to the operator, but during a one hour's flight in Cape Town we were left in little doubt as to its passenger appeal also. It is, in fact, almost as comfortable and well-planned as the Hermes, although the crew stations are obviously of an earlier design. Being a fairly long-range aircraft, a crew rest Compartment is provided which is not to be found in the medium-range Hermes. Zero Readers are fitted, and will probably be the first to go into operation. (To be concluded) The new Pratt and Whitney T-34 turboprop of,5,700 h.p., mentioned on page 331, is now being,flight-tested in the B-17 above, seen with ad four piston engines feathered
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