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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0603.PDF
The Navy's Avengers IN the House of Commons on May 6th, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. J. P. L. Thomas answered questions about the re-introduction of Avengers into Naval Aviation. Cdr. J. A. Langford-Holt, R.N. (Con., Shrewsbury) wanted to know when these American aircraft were first used in the Fleet Air Arm; and when their use was discontinued after the war. Mr. Thomas replied that Avengers came into operational use in the Royal Navy in February 1943, and were withdrawn from general use in April 1946. Cdr. Langford-Holt then drew attention to the fact that five years ago the re-introduction of this aircraft was never contem plated by the Admiralty. Was the First Lord not satisfied that its re-introduction was a severe condemnation of the procedure by which the Admiralty acquired its aircraft? Mr. Thomas disagreed with that proposition. The Avenger, he said, was used as a torpedo-bomber in 1947, but had been modified for anti-submarine work. It was discarded in 1947 because there was a great drain on dollars in buying spare parts; but a supply of these aircraft had now been received from America under M.S.A. to help until the Gannet came along. Cdr. Langford-Holt asked if he would take a strong line in order to see that the Fleet Air Arm got the type of aircraft which undoubtedly it deserved. Mr. Thomas assured his questioner that he was taking "the strongest possible line." National Air Race Entries IAST week-end the Royal Aero Club announced entries— J totalling 36—for the National Air Races, to be held at Southend-on-Sea Airport on Saturday, June 20th. This year, as already announced in our pages, there will be three international events; they are for the Grosvenor Challenge CUD (aircraft of a handicap speed up to 130 m.p.h.), Norton Griffith Challenge Trophy (130-150 m.n.h.) and the Kemsley Challenge Trophy (over 150 m.p.h.). These three events will also constitute heats for the King's Cup Race, which is confined to British aircraft and pilots, the first four of which in each of the three international contests will be elegible to compete. Actually, the whole entry is virtually British, the only foreign competitor being Capt. J. H. Christie from Norway, who this year will fly a Leopard Moth. Names of pilots (and, where thev differ, of entrants) are :— Grosvenor Challenge Cur».—Dr. W. L. James (Chilton D.W.i, Carden Ford-); C. Gregory (Tavlorcraft Plus D, Cirrus Minor 1); B. G. K. Maile (Taylorcraft Plus D, Cirrus Minor 1); D. R. Robertson (Moth Minor, Gipsy Minor); Capt. D. M. Srencer-Smith (Tiger Moth, Gir>sy Maior 1); D. F. Ogilvy—entrant, S/L. P. E. Hindmarsh (Moth Maior, Gipsy Maior 1); J. R. Batt—entrant, F. A. Laker (Autocar, Gipsy Maior 1); G. A. Farley—entrant, C. R. Purley (Autocar, Gipsy Major 1); S/L. N. F. Duke—entrant, A. N. Spriggs (Hawker Tomtit, Mongoose 3C); E. W. Westbrook (Messenger da, Gipsy Major iD); N. M. Browning (Messenger 4a, Gipsy Major iD); Capt. J.JL Christie (Leo^rd Moth, Gipsy Major 1). Norton-Griffiths Trophy.—K. M. Freeman (Hawk Trainer 3, Gipsv Major 1); W. P. Bowles (Messenger 2a, Cirrus Major 3); C. W. W. Turner—entrant, C. H. Bennion (Messenger 2a, Cirrus Maior 3); D. C. Jemmett (Hawk Trainer 3, Girsy Maior iC); G. F. Bullen—entrant, Sir Frank Spriggs (Miles Whitney Straight, Gipsy Maior 1); Miss F. M. Leaf (Hawk Major, Gipsy Major 1); A. J. Spiller (Leonard Moth, Gipsv Major 10-2); W. P. I. Fillingham— entrant, W/C. C. A. Pike (Chipmunk 1, Gipsy Major 10C); F/O. M. R. T. Chandler—entrant, S/L. J. A. R. King (Hawk Trainer 3, Gipsy Major 1); D. J. Bennett (Proctor 5, Gipsy Queen 2); G. R. I. Parker—entrant, R. Blackburn (Proctor 5, Gipsy Queen 2); H.R.H. Prince Alexander of Jugoslavia (Proctor ^, Gipsy Queen 2). Kemsley Trophy.—G. Marler (Falcon Six, Gipsy Six 1); H. J. G. Turner (Proctor 3, Gipsy Oueen 2); P. G. Lawrence (Proctor 1, Gipsy Queen 2); W/C. R. H. Mcintosh (Proctor 1, Gipsy Queen 2); A. S. K. Paine (Proctor 1, Giosy Queen 2); J. P. Crowther (Proctor 3, Gipsy Oueen 2); F. Murphy—entrant, T. O. M. Sopwith (Hawker Hart, Kestrel 16); G/C. C. M. M. Grece (Nighthawk, Gipsv Six 2); F. Dunkerley (Gemini la, two Cirrus Minor 2); S/L. I- Rush (Falcon Six, Gipsy Six 1); R. R. Paine (Hawk Speed Six, Gipsy Six iF); J. N. Somers (Mew Gull 2, Gipsy Six 2). POINTER TO PROGRESS: Shown in its "50-degree" configuration is the Short S.8.5 research aircraft (Rolls-Royce Derwent) flown by Mr. Tom Brooke-Smith. Wing- sweep will be increased until a maximum of 69 degrees is at tained. A general-arrangement drawing appeared in our issue of February 20th. Venezuelan Canberras T HE third and fourth English Electric Canberras destined for the Venezuelan Air Force left Warton Airfield last Sunday, and arrived in Gander four hours thirty-six minutes later—a time only 18 minutes longer than the Aldergrove-Gander record, also held by a Canberra. The aircraft were due to fly on to Venezuela via the United States and Jamaica. The previous two aircraft were ferried out by R.A.F. personnel, but on this second occasion two pilots from Silver City Airways, Capts. J. W. Hackett and R. B. Damon, were at the controls. Capt. Hackett has been in command when Sir Winston Churchill has flown by Silver City. Telling Britain's Industrial Story EIGHT British publishers of technical, trade and specialized journals have joined forces to display 55 publications at the Canadian International Trade Fair, Toronto, June ist-i2th. This exhibit, it is expected, will do much to supplement buyers' own impressions of British goods and services. Both Flight and Aircraft Production will be among the journals displayed. Mr. D. G. C. Mockridge, an executive of Associated Iliffe Press, is leaving for Canada on May 19th to represent the eight pub lishers concerned. These companies, with the numbers of different journals they will be showing are : Associated Iliffe Press (24), Temple Press, Ltd. (13), Tothill Press, Ltd. (8), Morgan Brothers (Publishers), Ltd. (5), Machinery Publishing Co., Ltd. (2); Engineering, Ltd., Machinery Lloyd, and McGraw-Hill Publish ing Co., Ltd. (1 each). Thames Swanning FOR the record, we report that on Tuesday, May 5th, Major Christopher Draper, D.S.O., surprised many Londoners spending their lunch hour in the bright sunshine by flying an Auster Autocrat, G-AGYD, under 15 Thames bridges. Approach ing water level (the tide was low) over Blackfriars Bridge, outside Flight offices, he flew under Waterloo Bridge, over Hungerford railway bridge, and then under Westminster and thirteen more bridges as far as those at Barnes and Kew, which were not included. The pilot then flew back to Broxbourne, where he is a member of the club, and where he had hired the aircraft. With him was a photographer, Mr. J. Matthews. Major Draper, who is 61, described the flight as a "swan-song to 41 years of flying." At the risk of appearing pompous we would remark that, in general, we do not approve of stunts of this kind, particularly when personal publicity is one of the objects—though it is impos sible not to feel some sympathy for Major Draper, who, according to reports, said afterwards that he was "broke" and had been on the dole for fourteen months. The idea of the flight was to prove that there was life in the old dog yet. Likewise, we must admire the spirit of a man who won his decoration when flying with the R.N.A.S. during the first World War, and at 61 years of age indulged in an escapade of this sort; and it is doubtful whether, contrary to some opinions, any real danger was involved, except perhaps a little to the pilot and his passenger. We have no admiration at all for those busybodies who, on seeing the aircraft, hurried to the telephone to volunteer information to the police.
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