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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 0117.PDF
FLIGHT, n January 1952 53 CIVIL AVIATION . . . The number of air transport movements recorded at U.K. airports in November was 11,142, 5.2 per cent more than in the corresponding month of the previous year. The total of passengers handled showed an increase of 39 per cent over that for November, 1950, while the amount of freight on- and off-loaded (3,169 tons) represented an increase of 13 per cent. * * * December 27th marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of an event which represented an important stage in the development of British air routes. On that day, in 1926, the then Secretary of State, Sir Samuel Hoare, flew by Imperial Airways in a D.H.66 from London to India to inaugurate the first section—then between Cairo and Karachi—of what was later to become the Imperial Air Route to Australia. Sir Samuel's party arrived in India early in January. * * * Following the recent refusal by the C.A.B. to approve an application for coast-to-coast "air-coach" fares, United Air Lines have now submitted an amended proposal containing adjusted rates. The new fare structure, however, is still the lowest ever offered by any of the American scheduled transcontinental carriers. * * * In 1951 Aer Lingus experienced its busiest year on record. Almost 270,000 passengers used the company's services—21 per cent more than in the previous year; over 123,000 of them travelled between London and Dublin. Other routes across the Irish Sea showed increases ranging up to 36 per cent .and Jersey traffic, also, was almost doubled. More than 3,800 tons of all types of cargo were transported—46 per cent more than in 1950— while the quantity of mail carried was over five and a half times last year's total. * * * The amount of freight handled by Australian National Airways has continued to rise sharply and at present is averaging over 600 tons a week. To meet this demand A.N.A.'s freight depart ment at Essendon now occupies two complete hangars with a floor space of 18,000 sq ft. The company is rapidly becoming one of the world's largest freight-carriers and specializes particu larly in the carriage of bulky loads. * * * After ten days of conference, the attempts by representatives of Mexico and the United States to establish a bilateral air agree ment have once again come to nothing. The deadlock was reached over the fact that the Mexican Government does not wish to allow new airlines to operate into Mexico, while the Americans are similarly unwilling to allow any expansion of Mexican services over and above the existing route between Mexico City and Los Angeles. * * * Marconi "walkie-talkie" sets, weighing less than 15 lb each, are now being used extensively by aircraft engineers and traffic staffs at both London and Northolt airports. At L.A.P. they are particularly useful for maintaining instantaneous contact between aircraft and maintenance supervisors who may be up to three and a half miles away from their control point if located in the farthest dispersal. The Marconi unit is completely self-contained, is approximately the size of a shoe box, and is worn strapped on the back. CLUB AND GLIDING NEWS HAVING braved the trials and tribulations of another difficult year, the directors of most British flying clubs are now busily engaged in totting up their totals—for the most pan congratulating themselves on the number of hours flown and trying not to feel too badly about the crimson hue of the financial balance as indicated in the right-hand margin. In general, enthusiasm has been maintained at a high level during the year, proof of which fact is contained in some of the following 1951 results for clubs from whom we have been able to obtain information ;— No. of Hours Licences flying flown issued members Herts and Essex Aero Club 3,606 33 250 Wiltshire Flying Club ... 2,570 37 156 Redhill Flying Club ... 2,123 29 194 London Aeroplane Club ... 2,060 25 218 Southend Flying School ... 1,850 n 80 Fair Oaks Aero Club ... 1,616 25 245 Denham Flying Club ... 1,500 8 160 West London Aero Club ... 1,265 20 250 Cheltenham Aero Club ... 860 9 100 Cambridge Aero Club ... 595 19 210 As far as can be estimated from the current British Register of Civil Aircraft, about 550 privately- or club-owned machines are now in full flying trim in this country, a figure which compares sadly with a total of 85,000 machines which a recent F.A.I, survey indicates are probably available for flying in the United States. In that country, incidentally, the number of private licences issued annually (that is to say, excluding renewals of existing licences) is said to be over 20,000. Several other nations also—among them France, Brazil and Cuba—are thought to enjoy considerably more sporting aviation activity than does Great Britain. "VTEWS from Scotland indicates that the 25-year-old Scottish *•* Flying Club which, in 1927, pioneered the development of Renfrew Airport, and which has continued to exist only under extreme difficulties since the Air Ministry requisitioned its base and aircraft in 1939, is now hoping that the recent change of Government may soon result in its return to Renfrew. Last week a deputation of club officials was received by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mr. J. S. Maclay, who has been taking the opportunity afforded by the Parliamentary recess to spend some time at his home in Kilmacolm and also to visit Scottish Aviation authorities. Mr. Maclay recently motored over to Renfrew where he was joined by the M.C.A.'s permanent secretary. Sir Arnold Overton, to carry out a tour of inspection of Renfrew Airport. Later, at the St. Enoch Hotel in Glasgow the Minister met members of the Scottish Aerodromes Board and the Scottish Advisory Council. It is alleged by these two organizations that Mr. Maclay's predecessors "studiously disregarded" their advice. The Minister is understood to be sympathetic towards the needs of the Scottish Flying Club, and its members—now temporarily based at Scone—are hoping that the day when they can resume their activities at Renfrew will not be far distant. FOLLOWING the success of last year's periodical film-shows given at Londonderry House for Royal Aero Club members and their friends, a further programme has been arranged this winter and has already proved a big attraction—so much so that when the classic Howard Hughes picture Hell's Angels was screened on December 18th a number of people who turned up late were crowded out; a ban on late-comers is now to be imposed. All programmes begin at 6.15 p.m. In connection with the talk, Campaigning in Korea, whieh is to be given by Mr. William Courtney, O.B.E., M.M., on Tuesday next, January 15th, a series of film-shows is to be given on suc ceeding dates, each consisting of pictures taken in the war area by Mr. Courtney. Details are: January 28th, Campaigning in Korea (with the U.S. ground and air forces in the Naktung River perimeter during the summer of 1950); February 5th, British Brigades in Korea (with the 27th and 29th Brigades in the winter of 1951, showing the advance to Han River and Seoul); February 21st, H.M.S. "Theseus" in Korean Waters. On February 26th the audience will see Malaya March, which Mr. Courtney made in Malaya, showing jungle marches and R.A.F. and R.A.A.F. supply- dropping in the war against the bandits. The films contain a large number of flying sequences, including air pictures of B.29 missions in which the lecturer was able to take part. These pictures are additional to the film evenings already arranged, the next two of which are on February 12th, when three pictures will be shown, Vickers Viscount, A Visit to Hong Kong and Tokyo (Philippine Air Lines) and Air Parade; and March 13th, when Twelve o'clock High will be screened. It should be noted that admission to these shows is confined to R.Ae.C. members, associate members and their guests. THE British Gliding Association states that scarves and squares have been prepared for members. Made from rayon and silk, the scarves are in navy blue with gold diagonal stripes and small silver sailplanes. Scarves (48m x ioin) cost £1 3s and squares (30m x 30m) £1 15s. Applications for these items should be addressed to the secretary of the B.G.A. at Londonderry House, Park Lane, London, W.I.
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