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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 1973.PDF
FLIGHT, it July 1952 77 CORRESPONDENCE The Editor of "Flight" does not hold himself responsible for the views expressed by correspondents in these columns; the names and addresses of the writers, not necessarily for publication, must in all cases accompany letters. A Coronation Review W OULD it not be appropriate next year for this country to stage a large-scale display by the Royal Air Force, as a tribute to the Coronation of our Queen? Undoubtedly, the R.A.F. Display of 1950 was one of the best post-war shows ever presented to the public, and I am sure that something along these lines would not only mark the celebration of a great occasion, but would be an added attraction to the many overseas visitors who will no doubt be in Great Britain at the time. Representative aircraft and crews from the Commonwealth, Colonial and N.A.T.O. Air Forces could be invited to take part. Farnborough would seem to be the best venue as it can accom modate an exceptionally large crowd, but seating and refreshment facilities of a good standard would be needed, and traffic and spectator control would have to be better than at past S.B.A.C. Displays. However, if plans are laid now, this could be a memor able show. One hopes that the Air Council will be able to arrange a display for which I beg the liberty to put forward a title : "The Royal Air Force Coronation Review." Birmingham. PETER F. WRIGHT. Abolish the Barrack Square? M AY I trouble you with a few points prompted by one of your correspondents, Flight, July 4th, page 28. In the letter headed "Seen at Gib." it is stated that our R.N. aircraft are "mostly in an indifferent state of servicing." While bearing in mind that many of our machines are of the obsolescent variety, such a sad state of affairs may lead to some of us pondering its significance, and also wondering whether it is limited to naval aircraft. Is the reason—or part of it—to be found in the shortage of tools and equipment, together with skilled tradesmen in the service; and is this coupled with indifference towards the job by those responsible? We all frequently hear much argument and criticism raised about our Services and their methods and equipment, and we also know that it is all too easy to find fault and criticise rather than find the cause of the setbacks. But there are, nevertheless, a few matters concerned with this vital business of air power which often appear to be overlooked or underestimated in many quarters. It should be quite obvious to anyone who has seriously studied the contents and editorials of Flight and other leading aircraft publications that there has been something radically wrong and cock-eyed about part of our Service organization for some time. This will, no doubt, be even more significant to anyone who has also studied the working of the usual Service machinery. It seems quite evident that, in many cases, far greater importance is attached to all manner of out-dated and out-moded methods of "ceremonial mumbo-jumbo" than to the all-important FORTHCOMING EVENTS July 19. Leicestershire Aero Club: Rally, Leicester East. July 20-27. Aero-Club d'ltalia: International Air Week. Italy. July 26. Royal Engineers' Flying Club: Air Day, Rochester. July 27. R.A.F. Golfing Society: Match v 2nd T.A.F., Bad Eiisen. Aug. 2. "Daily Express" Challenge Trophy Race. Aug. 2-3. "ILSY" Air Display, Yoenburg. Aug. 3-4. S.M.A.E.: National Model Aircraft Rally. R.N. Air Station, Gosport. Aug. 9-10. Skegness Airport: Display. Aug. 13-17. Nordic A/2 Models Contest. Austria. Aug. 15. AeVo-Club de Charente Maritime: Laleu and La Rochelle Air Meeting. Aug. 15. Ailes Montluconnaises: Rally. Aug. 16. AeVo-Club de Vended: Sables d'Olonne Rally. Aug. 16-17. Bembridge and Sandown Aero Club: Rally. Aug. 23. Coventry Aeroplane Club: Air Day and Siddeley Challenge Trophy Race. Aug. 23-24. Aero-Club de Trente: Dolomites Circuit. Aug. 30. Midland Aero Club: Display. Aug. 30-31. U.S. National Air Races. Aug. 31. A.B.AC.: Summer Convention. Aug. 31. S.M. A.E.: British Model Championships, College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. Aug. 31- Sept. 7. Scandinavian Air Rally. Sept. 1-7. S.B.A.C.: Flying Display and Exhibition, Farnborough. Sept. 7. "Yorkshire Evening News" Model Flying Festival, Sherburn-ln- Elmet. 15. Battle of Britain Day. 15. I.A.T.A.:'Eighth Annual General Meeting, Germany. 17. Golf: R.N. and W.R.N.S. v. R.A.F. and W.R.A.F., Camberley. 20. R.A.F. At Home Day. 21. S.M.A.E.: Models Contests, Butlin's Holiday Camps. 28. AeVo-Club de France: Coupe Stemm Helicopter Competition. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. and vital matter of flying and servicing aircraft and equipment It is high time that it was firmly understood by all concerned that the real job of maintaining technical efficiency, whether in the air, at sea, or on the ground, is now quite incompatible with the old ideas of the barrack square variety in "brass and bianco !" Such things may look all very nice—in their proper place—but should not be allowed to interfere with the technical working of the Services, as is usually the case. How is it possible for men to concentrate on their job of flying and servicing aircraft and other vital equipment of the Services if their efforts are largely frustrated by a frequent round of drill, parades, and various other queer tasks, which seem to have little connection with the well-being of the Service and country? It really is somewhat pathetic and tragic that, in this "atomic age" of jets and supersonics, we should still be bound by the relic of the quaint phenomena which masquerades as discipline; and is more frequently known as traditional "bull." There should be no excuse for bad organization and servicing of our aircraft, and it is no use always "passing the buck," or blaming the tradesmen; neither is it a question of "mere pay, new hats, and nylons !" The real reasons for any shortages of manpower, or lack of interest in the Services, are largely due to the fact that there is far too much interference in the technical side by the administration of petty nonsense, by certain people who often decide to run their own Service—and get away with it! They would do well to ponder over the fact that "atomic bombs" are no respecters of" such, whether aship or ashore. Croydon. CHARLES B. LUCE. Asymmetric Power I AM collecting material for a book on the subject of "Flight on Asymmetric Power." If any readers can help me with the following information I -would be extremely grateful:— 1. The earliest known case of a successful single-engined landing following engine failure. 2. Readers' own accounts of episodes of this kind during war time and peace-time. 3. Details of an American aircraft which recently completed a flight with one airscrew removed. 4. Details of the German asymmetric aircraft which was built during the war. Inverness. G. WRIGHT. Security-minded Enthusiasts I FEEL I must make another brief intrusion into your columns following the publication of my letter in your issue of July 4th, and the appended editorial comment. To dispel any possible misunderstanding of your comments I can assure you that Air Britain is fully "security-minded," and is governed by precisely the same regulations as your own journal. Our publications are carefully vetted, and if doubt exists we seek advice from the appropriate Ministry or Service department. We receive much assistance from these authorities and have naturally no desire to abuse their kindness. Neither have we any desire to appear at Bow Street! Incidentally, only a small amount of our work is subject to security regulations, as so much more is devoted to civil aviation, or military aviation of a "pre-security" era. Acton. D. K. Fox, Chairman, Air Britain. ARMAMENT INTELLIGENCE "Weapons," Vol. I—"Overture to Aggression"; Vol. II—"Red Sky," by Roger Marsh. Weapons Inc., Hudson, Ohio. Price $2 per set. T HE gun-cranks will coo with delight on beholding these two slim volumes of sketches and notes concerning Russian pistols, rifles, machine pistols, grenades and automatic weapons of several calibres. Included are the Degtyarev, SchVAK, SchKASS, and the 23 mm gun, known by a variety of names—V-la, Volkov-Yarzev, Volkov-Dzhareev—and concerning which, as Mr. Marsh wistfully observes, "exact data are plentiful, though, unfortunately, these exact data fail to agree among themselves." For such tribulations we have fraternal sympathy, but, in spite of them, Mr. Marsh is to be complimented on a most interesting compila tion and a valuable addition to Russian intelligence.
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