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Aviation History
1950
1950 - 1803.PDF
352 FLIGHT Over Africa called for on all future replacements for Vikings, Lodestars, and so on. South African Airways operate most of their world and internal services from Palmietfontein. but use the Rand airfield as a servicing base. The largest aircraft can get in and out for servicing if flown light. S.A.A. act as agents for B.O.A.C. During its series of demonstration flights at Johannesburg, B.O.A.C.'s Hermes flagship undoubtedly made a good impres- sion on all who flew in it (except, it is reported, one man from a rival European airline who took exception to everything and everybody and was suitably sat on by a South African passen- ger). On the ground its handsome lines and white-topped fuselage with blue motif drew very favourable comment. With our work done at Johannesburg the time came to return, to Nairobi. Central African Airways Corporation.—Not long after leaving Johannesburg the Hermes passed over Salisbury, which is roughly level with, but to the east of, Livingstone and is the base of Central African Airways Corporation, whose Vikings we had seen at several airfields. Had suitable fuel been available Hannibal would have landed at Salisbury to give demonstration flights. Trunk services operated by Vikings of C.A.A. link Nairobi and Johannesburg, taking in such towns as Lusaka, the Northern Rhodesian capital, and Salisbury. A reference to C.A.A. service-expansion and traffic figures was made in con- nection with the story of Livingstone Airport in Flight of August ioth, and a plan of the company's routes is presented here. Links with Elizabethville, the Belgian Congo and Beira in Portuguese East Africa will be noted. It will be remembered that C.A.A. was set up with capital subscribed by Southern Rhodesia (50 per cent), Northern Rhodesia (35 per cent), and Nyasaland (15 per cent), and it absorbed the wartime functions of Southern Rhodesia Air Ser- vices. Over 6,000 aircraft route-miles are operated, and Doves are used for the feeder services in addition to the 27-seat Vikings on the main lines. Johannesburg-Nairobi.—Highlight of this long stage was a close-up examination of Kilimanjaro, which we circled at 20,500ft. Earlier we had passed over the Limpopo and Zambesi Rivers. The name Kilimanjaro is, in fact, that of a group of peaks of which the highest, with snow-capped summit and crater, is Kibo, 19,563ft (5,963m) on the same ridge as Mawensi, 17,562ft (5-353m). Many miles west can be seen Meru, a separate peak 14,978ft high. It was possible to pick out Kilimanjaro, by its plumes of cloud, from nearly 200 miles away when flying north- wards at about 17,500ft. The crater, unsuspected from the ground, is deep, round, and clear of snow. On its northern side is a blue-green, jagged icefield. And so the long trip back to Nairobi was completed, and there we were due to stay for a day or two to display the Hermes. For the writer it was also the parting of the ways, the remainder of the journey home having been booked on the fast flying-boat service (as opposed to the regular night- stopping service), A full day remained, however, before take- off, and the general manager of E.A.A.C., Capt. Sorsbie, sug- gested a flight to Zanzibar This was an experience not to be missed, and his offer was eagerly accepted. The progress, and work of E.A.A.C. are discussed in some detail at the end of this story. Routes operated by South African Airways, based at Johannesburg. to NAIROBI JOHANNESBUR (PALMIETFONTEIN) KEETMANSHOOP 5500ft JOHANNES* Routes operated by the Central African Airways, based at Salisbury. Digression to Zanzibar.—Lodestars form an important part of the E.A.A.C. fleet, and it was in one of these lively veterans that the flight from Nairobi West to Dar-es-Salaam was made. Over ten years old, and powered by two Cyclones (some of the fleet have Pratt and Whitneys) the Lodestar carries twelve people in considerable comfort with little noise or vibration. It cruises at nearly 200 m.p.h. and is operated by a crew of two. Ample freight space is available, a toilet compartment is pro- vided, and an autopilot is fitted. Good take-ofi and single- engined performance make the Lodestar most suitable for operation over this wild mountainous country. The flight to the East again passed quite near to Kilimanjaro, and the cold dawn air at Nairobi contrasted sharply with the oppressive heat and humidity felt suddenly as we let down through cloud over the sea just short of our destination. After a warm welcome, brief health formalities and a cup of tea, it was time to hop across to Zanzibar Island in the waiting Rapide. Without a doubt, Zanzibar is one of the most fascinating and surprising little places one could see. Quite unlike the coast towns, it is packed with interesting buildings of several periods, many in Moorish style, and between them thread narrow paved br cobbled streets and alleys with bazaars and shops opening on to them. All of it has an air of having been there for centuries and seems likely to remain unchanged for as long again. There was a strong temptation to cable home one's resignation and remain in these warm, peaceful surroundings sailing, swimming, spearing fish on the reefs or just dreaming. Why, in spite of such temptation, does England with all its frustration and hurly-burly still call so irresistibly? The Crater of Kilimanjaro (see detailed caption on facing page).
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