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Aviation History
1951
1951 - 1548.PDF
LIGHT, 10 August 1951 175 AIR RACING RAINY SEASON " Daily Express" Contest Postponed: National Races Now Cancelled WHAT has air racing done to deserve such vile luck? LastMonday, August Bank Holiday, when the Daily Express Race should have taken place, it was almost the story of the King's Cupall over again; low cloud, rain and hopes which slowly but surely became damped as each bulletin told of continuing unsuitableconditions and of a further fifteen minutes or one hour delay. Once during the afternoon a slight clearance was noted at Shore-ham, and it did seem as if competitors would be able to get away. The first few on the line started up in anticipation, but the "walkie-talkie" marshals received later orders and the well-tuned if vintage engines were silenced again. From the end of the breakwater atNewhaven—a few miles eastward, where competitors would have turned on to the cross-country leg of the course—the coastlinecould be seen clearly enough; but inland the clouds were mantling the hill-tops. At 4.30 p.m. Jeffrey Quill took off in his Spitfire 22 to goround the course in the reverse direction and get an "actual" on the weather conditions. When he turned back after 15 minutes'flying down the coast past Beachy Head, any hopes that were still entertained were given up and talk turned to the evening partyand the possibility of arranging the race on another day. During the morning the work of preparation had gone on—theaircraft to be at their best and the newly formed South Coast Club to be at its most hospitable. Officials raced around and pre-pared for the briefing in the imposing, though slightly battered, Shoreham Airport building. In addition to giving time for more than the usual quota ofspeculation as to the would-be winner, the postponements afforded an opportunity—for those willing to brave the rain—tpstudy some of the rarer specimens arrayed on the starting line. Several smart old-timers and biplanes were entered, among themCapt. Gillman's Avian with front cockpit carefully faired in. The two smallest aircraft attracted attention, Kendall's Chiltonchiefly because of its immaculate condition, and modern bubble enclosure (can that minute warped-profile airscrew really produceenough thrust to give 117 m.p.h.—the figure mentioned?), and Cole's familiar Comper Swift, this time with Pobjoy Niagaraengine, giving some 8 h.p. more than the "R" fitted for previous races provided that the magnetos are behaving. Another light-weight, seldom seen but always admired, was the Moth Minor Coupe to be piloted bv Fillineham. Something of an old faithful is Mrs. Grace's Taylorcraft PlusD, which had a truly auxiliary tank harnessed on the passenger seat and feeding into the filler cap in front with the aid of rubbertubing and a car-type hand pump. From Norway came Capt. Jan Christie, who expected to getabout 128 m.p.h. out of his 105 h.p. Hirth-powered Klemm K.i. But for approval and licensing difficulties in Norway, he told us,he would have gone in for more elaborate "mods" in preparation. Unfortunately the Miles Aries was not seen at Shoreham, beingstill engaged on building up hours for its C. of A. The pilot- owner, Mr. Cayzer, also, was said to be unwell. However, FredDunkerley's Gemini was there, now carrying flush strips at the joints of the rear control surfaces and fairings between the slatsand fuselage nose. Everyone was pleased to see Nat Somers back in the game. He has practically recovered from his spinal-disctrouble and his Major-Gemini looked well, too. To competitors and all enthusiasts alike, one of the main dis-appointments was in not being able to see the two sleek Italian Ambrosinis (one with Gipsy Queen 30 the other with Alfa 115 ter)and the smart French Lignel perform. The Lignel achieved 163 m.p.h. in last year's race. A word of sympathy must be added for Hugh Scrope, whoseverely damaged (not quite beyond repair) his precious Mew Gull when he became ditched after an over-long landing-run onarrival at Shoreham field. Luckily he was unhurt himself. One of the attractions for holiday-makers on the South Coastwas to have been a fly-past by a Comet. Although the aircraft ventured over at low altitude, very few saw it—Shoreham only Typical of the scene in the aircraft park during the wore hopefy. morning period. Note Chilton No. 7 with bubble er.cji the Proctors of Prince Alexander (67) and "TimpeT' Wood (71), the* French Lignel with inverted V.8 Mathis engine/("Flight" Photograph) heard its whine through the commentary ImpIt was from this quarter also that competitors and others learned of the sad plight of the members of the Observer Corps who,drenched and without shelter, vainly awaited the arrival of the aircraft at the various observed points. Once more then, the patient and willing officials, having seenmost of their work wasted for a second time in the season, will get down to the preparations for a new South Coast Express Race—now fixed for September 22nd. 1951 National Air Races Cancelled ""THE Royal Aero Club announces that it has now "reluctantly•*• decided to abandon" the 1951 King's Cup and other National Air Races, postponed on June 23rd owing to adverse weather.Arrangements had been made to hold the races on the first "public" day (Saturday, September 15th) of the S.B.A.C.Farnborough Show. The Commissioners of Customs and Excise informed theS.B.A.C. that if the races were held in conjunction with their Flying Display and Exhibition the Society would be liable topay entertainment tax at the maximum rate. It has been cal- culated that such a sum would amount to over 42 per cent of allreceipts from the sale of public admission tickets on that day. The R.Ae.C. announcement says that while the Society, as a loyalsupporter of the R.Ae.C. and of British sporting flying, might be prepared to carry this financial burden, it "takes the strongestexception in principle to such extortionate taxation of air racing" and has accordingly informed the Club that it is not prepared toaccept this liability. It is assumed that the Commissioners based their decision onthe Finance Acts which, while permitting reduced entertainment duty in respect of certain entertainments, specifically excluderacing or trials of speed of aircraft. The R.Ae.C. has made some detailed comments, as follows,on the unfairness of the imposition:— (1) By its very nature, air racing cannot be restricted to spectatorswho pay for admission. Moreover, in the interests of safety, air races cannot be flown over courses confined to the airfield of start and finish,and therefore the public who pay for admission only see a small part of the race.(2) Air races are highly dependent upon weather conditions and it may be impossible to hold a race in conditions when any other form ofrace could take place; thus the organizers' financial risks are greatly increased.(3) An air race is generally but one item in an air display programme, yet the display thereby becomes a "race meeting" and therefore liableto the highest rate of duty. (4) Air races are primarily organized for the encouragement of air-mindedness and aviation development, but the organization necessary for the safety of the public and the competitors is such that even withoutpayment of entertainment duty air racing is not a profitable proposition for the promoter.During the 1950 National Air Races, British racing pilots won five international speed records from other countries. British air racing isa distinct national asset, particularly in times of stress, such as those in which we live, because it encourages the training at their own expenseof men whose experiences would be invaluable to the fighting Services in war. A very high degree of skill and technical knowledge is requiredfor successful air racing and it should be encouraged rather than regarded as an entertainment subject to duty.If the Entertainment Duty at this prohibitive level continues to apply to air racing it will be financially impossible for aeroplane Clubs topromote air races; and air racing, in which Great Britain could lead the world, will be taxed out of existence. This can only result in a grievousloss to British Aviation, both civil and military.
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