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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0969.PDF
24 July 1953 123 CIVIL AVIATION K.L.M.'s 1952 REPORT R EFERENCE is made in the annual report for 1952 of K.L.M. Royal Dutch Airlines to the late delivery of the company's seven EC-6Bs. The report, just published, also notes that "late delivery of the aircraft on order [DC-6As, Super Constellations and Convair 340s] is likely to prevent expansion of our capacity until after the peak of the busy season." Although the company has made "exhaustive studies" of turbine-powered airliners, it is confirmed that no orders have yet been placed. At the end of the year reviewed K.L.M.'s fleet consisted of 20 DC-3S, ten DC-4S, six DC-6s, seven DC-6Bs, 15 Constellation L-749S and 12 Convair 240s; the following were on order: two DC-6As, 13 Constellation L-1049S and six Convair 340s. Delivery of the new Lockheeds has begun, and five of the 749-model Con stellations are being returned to the manufacturers this year in part-payment. Traffic and revenue increased in 1952, but not, the report notes, at the same rate as in the preceding two years. Total revenue was in the region of £2301, and the profit was £540,000 compared with almost £im in 1951. Due partly to shortage of aircraft, K.L.M. carried fewer emi grants last year—5,681, compared with 6,424 the previous year —and there was a 50 per cent drop in revenue from charter nights. Passenger, freight and mail revenues all increased, however. Capacity available in 1952, expressed in ton-km, was 241m, compared with 225m in 1951—an increase of 7 per cent. The revenue load factor dropped slightly—from 67.9 per cent to 66 per cent—and the total figure for revenue ton/km performed (159m) was only 4 per cent more than the previous year's total. Only a slight variation in operating cost is reported by K.L.M.; thanks largely to economic stability in the Netherlands, the average cost per ton-km available rose by only 6 cents to 105 cents (approximately 2s.) The report shows that K.L.M. aircraft flew 134,338 hr and 44)657,000 km in 1952, compared with 128,485 hr and 42,738,000 km in 1951. The total number of passengers carried is not stated, although comparative curves for North Atlantic passenger traffic are published, showing an increase of 45 per cent on this route (29,000 in 1952, as against 20,000 in 1951). This impressive gain reflects the success of the cheaper Atlantic fares introduced by I.A.T.A. airlines on May 1st last year. NEW SERVICES APPROVED C ONDITIONAL approval of the following services is announced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation:— (1) Inclusion of a traffic stop, initially at Zagreb, but later at Ljubl jana, on the route London-Munich-Belgrade; Eagle Aviation, Ltd., until March 31st, i960. (2) Inclusive tour service between London (Gatwick) and Vienna (for Graz); Transair Ltd., until September 30th, 1953. (3) Internal service on the route Manchester and/or Coventry- Weston-super-Mare (on demand)-Exeter (the stop at Weston-super- NEW K.L.M. CONNIE: While B.E.A. and B.O.A.C. re-equip with new turbine-powered British airliners, several other European airlines are taking delivery of rejuvenated American types. This 43182-seat compound-engined Super Constellation, shown on arrival at Schiphol, is the first to be delivered of 13 ordered by K.L.M. Mare is subject to the aerodrome remaining in flying use); Airlines (Jersey), Ltd., until March 31st, 1963. (4) Internal service on the route Cheltenham-Bournemouth-Guernsey and/or Jersey; Cambrian Air Services, Ltd., until September 30th, 1955 (seasonal, May-September each year). (5) Internal service on the route Cheltenham-Bristol; Cambrian Air Services, Ltd., until May 1st, 1963. CONVAIR 340 AT L.A.P. OICTURED below is the second of three Convair 340s with A which Alitalia started a new service from London to Rome on Wednesday, July 8th. Operating via Paris (Orly) and Milan (Malpensa), Alitalia have at present only two "Super Convairs" but hope to receive their third aircraft very shortly. Alitalia's London representative tells us that the airline is extremely pleased with the new machines, which seat 44 in tourist layout and have provision for 2,800 lb of baggage—all within the pressurized area, enabling livestock and perishable foodstuffs to be carried. One of the major reasons behind their choice of the Convair, he said, is that they take delivery of their first DC-6B later this year; the fact that the power plants are the same as the Convair 340's (P.W. Double Wasp 2800), makes for easier engine maintenance. The option of compound engines later—if they prove satisfactory—and the early delivery date also influenced Alitalia's choice. Although there is a 4ft 6in increase in length over its predecessor, the Convair 240, the external difference between the two aircraft is very slight when viewed on the ground—the one extra window being the main pointer. But the greater span (105ft 8in, compared with the 240's 91ft 9m) is more noticeable in the air. BRISTOL 171 ENTERS SERVICE INAUGURATION of regular services with a British helicopter took place on July 13th, when Capt. J. A. Cameron flew one of B.E.A.'s two new Bristol 171 Mk 3AS from London to Birmingham, Initially, the aircraft are carrying freight only, but passenger services will later be introduced on this route. The inaugural freight service flew a load of salmon to Birmingham. Basically similar to the Sycamores in service with the R.A.F., Army and Royal Australian Navy, the Mk 3A has additional luggage space (behind the engine compartment), a side exhaust system, revised instrument lay out and Decca navigational equip ment. The engine is a 550 h.p. Alvis Leonides, and the all-up weight is 53,0001b. The type accommodates four passengers. AT LONDON AIRPORT is pictured one of the Convair-liner 340s which, as reported above, Alitalia are now using on their Rome-Milan-Paris- London route. Inevitably, perhaps, the company refers to it as the "Super Convair."
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