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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0884.PDF
40 FLIGHT FROM ALL QUARTERS SHAPE Re-shaped AMONG the changes in structure of command recently • announced by Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers in Europe, is the appointment of Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil Embry as Commander of Allied Air Forces in Central Europe, in suc cession to Gen. Lauris Norstad, U.S.A.F. Marshal Juin, pre viously Commander-in-Chief, Allied Land Forces in Central Europe, is promoted to Commander-in-Chief of all Allied Forces in Central Europe, with subordinate land, naval, and air com manders, thus conforming to the pattern already existing in the northern and southern European commands. The responsibilities of the Air Deputy to the Supreme Com mander will be enlarged when Gen. Norstad succeeds Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Saunders at the end of his tour of duty next month. In addition to his duties in advising the supreme com mander on air matters, the co-ordination of air defence, and the training of air forces, decisions concerning air policy, and general control over air activities, will then be General Norstad's responsi bilities. He will also have operational control of any air forces, such as strategic forces, not allocated to specific subordinate commands. ROYAL FAREWELL: Shielding her eyes from the glare, the Qjeet witches the departure from London Airport of a B.O.A.C. Comet, bound for Southern Rhodesia with the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret as passengers. The Royal travellers were to toke part in the Rhodes Centenary celebrations (see "Flight" last week). With Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh are Sir John D'Albiac, the airport commandant (left), and Mr. Whitney Straight, chief executive, B.O.A.C. Defence College Appointment THE Ministry of Defence has announced the appointment of Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur P. M. Sanders as the next Commandant of the Imperial Defence College, with effect from January ist next. He succeeds General Sir Frank Simpson. Sir Arthur is at present C-in-C. Middle East Air Force, which post he has held since May 1952. Before that he was Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. His place as C-in-C. M.E.A.F. is to be filled by A.V-M. C. B. R. Pelly, with effect from October and with the acting rank of air marshal. Swiftly to Paris AFTER being postponed from the preceding Wednesday by unsuitable weather, the attempt by a Supermarine Swift F.4 (Rolls-Royce Avon with reheat) on the London-Paris speed record was made—and with success—on Sunday last, July 5th. With Lt. Cdr. Michael Lithgow, Supermarine's chief test pilot, at the controls, the Swift took 19 min 5.6 sec for the trip to Paris, the average speed being 669.3 m.p.h. Later, after taking part in the air display at Le Bourget, it returned to London in 19 min 14.3 sec —at a speed of 664.3 m.p.h. The flights were made at a surpris ingly low altitude—not much over 1,000ft. The previous London- Paris record was that set up by the late Trevor ("Wimpy") Wade in a Hawker P.1052 in May, 1949, at a speed of 617.87 m.p.h. Speaking with a Flight representative at Le Bourget on arrival, Mr. Lithgow said that weather conditions had been good— especially at the English end. The reheat with which the Avon is fitted, he continued, was not in fact used during the outward journey. The times of the flights, which were observed by the R.Ae.C, are subject to confirmation before they can officially rank for record purposes. "MIKE'S" NEW RECORD: Supermarine's Lt. Cdr. M. J. Lithgow (upper right) and the blue Swift FA (Rolls-Royce Avon) in which he made his London-Paris-London record flight, recorded on this page. The Swift has four wing-fences. •/. • •: • .•• •• • • :
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