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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 0611.PDF
FLIGHT, 7 March 1952 281 SERVICE AVIATION Royal Air Force and Naval Aviation News Naval Aviation in the Estimates TN his presentation of the Naval Esti- * mates, Mr. J. P. L. Thomas, the First Lord of the Admiralty, briefly reviewed the part played by Naval Aviation in the Korean war and recalled that H.M.S. Eagle—the most modern of the Navy's fleet carriers—had been commissioned during the past year. "The re-equipment of our air groups with jet squadrons," he said, "has proceeded, and the front line, strength appreciably increased. The mod ernization of our naval air stations has continued, including the extension of run ways and the improvement of radio aids in order to provide for the operation of new types of aircraft. "Two aircraft carriers are now equipped with helicopters for rescue and search duties, a number of special radar equipped aircraft have been received as military aid from the United States, and a steam cata pult has been developed which, when fitted, will enable carriers to operate the future heavier and faster types of aircraft. A fifth R.N.V.R. air squadron has been formed." Under the heading of Research and Development he said: "For offensive use in fleet actions and for the protection of conv s from air attack, new and faster naval aircraft are being produced which, with their parent aircraft carriers, will be fitted with radar equipment, enabling accurate interception to be made at effec tive ranges from the surface vessels. To deal with those enemy aircraft which succeed in penetrating these defences, new gunnery systems of greater range, accuracy and destructive power are being worked out and gun and gun-direction equipment, which will provide the merchant ship her self with an effective defence, are being progressed. It should be noted that the Admiralty is also responsible for meeting the requirements for fire control equip ment for the Army and new systems are at present under development for light and medium anti-aircraft guns. HIGHTIME IN EGYPT: Chocks, "trolley-accs" and wire-mesh intake guards are removed as Vampires scramble at Deversoir during Exercise "Hightime," held in the Canal Zone last week end. Twelve squadrons from five air bases took part in this three-day exercise. "The most promising weapon in the anti-aircraft armoury will undoubtedly be the guided weapon, capable of engaging the enemy at ranges between that at which our fighter aircraft and our anti-aircraft guns are most efficient. Work on guided weapons is closely integrated with the whole pro gramme of guided weapon development." "Saclant" in Britain T HE Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic, Admiral McCormick, U.S.N., held a Press conference at the Admiralty during his visit to this country last week. He was very reticent concerning opera tional matters but did define the area under his command as, roughly, the Atlantic ocean north of the tropic of Cancer and up to the 100-fathom line from the NATO countries' coasts. (This second delineation really denotes the limit of mineable water.) Headquarters would be at Norfolk, Vir ginia, and there would be no set-up on this side of the Atlantic. Discussing the maritime-air side of his command, he pointed out that Coastal Command would serve all three naval commands, Atlantic, Home and Channel. The Admiral also expressed the opinion that, for some years to come, warfare in the Atlantic must be similar to that of the last war. He would, he said, rely to a great extent on shore-based aircraft but would ANGELS ONE FIVE: Among the guests at a special screening of the Associated British-Templar Battle of Britain film of the foregoing title were : (Upper group) Mr. D. £. Griffiths, vice-chairman of the executive committee of the R.A.F. Cinema Corporation; Lord Willoughby de Broke; Michael Denison and Dulcie Gray, who star in the film; and Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur P. M. Sanders. In the lower group will be recognized Marshal of the R.A.F. Lord Tedder, Air Chief Marshal Sir James Robb, Air Marshal Sir John Whitworth Jones, A. V-M. W. J. Seward and A. V-M. R. S. Blucke. need, in addition, all the carriers he cou/d get. Admiral McCormick also made it quite clear that the intention was not to have actual forces under his command, but to make plans and to earmark forces to implement those plans. Deputy to Admiral McCormick is Vice- Admiral Sir WiHiam Andrewes, R.N., who has twice before operated with the U.S. Navy—in the Pacific during the war and at the outbreak of hostilities in Korea. Retirement THE retirement, owing to ill-health, of Air Marshal Sir Charles R. Steele, K.C.B., D.F.C., is announced. In the first World War he served in the Yorkshire Regt. and the Royal Flying Corps, and in the second was A.O.C. No. 85 Group, 2nd T.A.F. Since the end of the war he has been S.A.S.O. at H.Q., B.A.F.O., and A.O.C., Malta. Inter-Services Rugby A HARD fought but only mildly inter esting game at Twickenham last Saturday resulted in an 11-3 win for the Army from the Royal Navy. Two excellent kicks—one a dropped penalty kick by Hardy from the half-way line—gave the Army their opening lead. The wing three- quarters were starved for most of the game; Gray of the Navy did not get a single good pass from his Rugby League centre, and Phipps, the Army's international wing, was not used until the closing stages of the game. Defence outside and kicking were both very good. Though the less dangerous side, the Navy managed to keep much of the game in their opponents' half. The R.A.F., who lost to the Navy by 6 points to nil on February 16th, meet the Army on March 22nd. If the R.A.F. win, there will be a triple tie for this season. If the Army defeat them, they take the title from last year's champions, the Royal Navy. New P.C. Opportunities THE Air Council has decided to create opportunities for G.D. officers holding short-service commissions to obtain perma nent commissions in some ground branches. These include the Technical, Equipment, Secretarial, Fighter Control, Provost and Catering Branches. It is felt that this
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