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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 1472.PDF
626 FLIGHT, 6 November 1953 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 necessatily for publication, must in all cases accompany letters. South Bank Snag I HAVE been looking at the plans, both written and illustrated, for the Thames South Bank, and although they all seem rather airy-fairy at this stage one thing sticks out a mile (literally and figuratively speaking), namely, that the 25-storey, appropriately named office "block" is positioned right on the approach from the river to the proposed helicopter landing site. Even if multi- engine BEAbuses of the future can approach the covered-in Waterloo Station from all sides, this 25-storey block would still be altogether too close for comfort. In a sense, you have a double interest in these plans; the future of helicopters is a concern of yours and your own headquarters presumably take a place in the ultimate South Bank scheme. London, W.l. W. A. BROWN. [We commented on the building as a "potent obstruction" when we described the plan a fortnight ago.—Ed.] Long-Service Wellingtons FURTHER to the correspondence you have recently published on the above subject, I see from my log-book that I carried out operational anti-submarine patrols on May 8th, 1945 (V.E. Day, after the Prime Minister's broadcast), and also on May 11th, 15th, and 18th, 1945. The aircraft in each case were Wellington XIV of No. 172 Squadron, operating from Limavady, and the dura tions of the patrols were 6 hr 45 min, 9 hr 50 min, 9 hr and 8 hr 55 min respectively. The squadron was disbanded almost immediately afterwards, but it is quite possible that other operational patrols were carried out after May 18th, 1945. London, S.W.2. J. R. D. BETHELL. Life with the Dales IN the daily B.B.C. feature "Mrs. Dale's Diary," her son Bob, who tries his hand at anything, announces his intention of applying for an aircraft radio maintenance engineer's licence two weeks after taking a post with a charter firm. Remembering the style of this radio diary we may be assured that he will be granted such a licence or, at the worst, be allowed to sit the examination. Remindful of the length of experience and qualifications required to be shown on the initial application, my colleagues and I feel this to be a cheapening reflection on what we found to be an exacting assessment of our abilities. Renfrew. IAN ALLEN. S.E.5 Squadron Markings "CURTHER to the article last July by J. M. Bruce, on S.E.5s, -•- and to subsequent correspondence in your columns, I am sending herewith a photograph of an early S.E.5 bearine rather peculiar markings. This photograph was taken at Lechelle aerodrome in the summer of 1917, and the aircraft shown was taken to France by No. 56 Squadron; it was flown in action by Capt. Ball on May 4m, 1917. I, however, am assured by two members of 56 Squadron The S.E.5 markings referred to by Mr. L. Donoghue. that aircraft were never marked in this manner in the squadron. This could be dismissed as an oddly painted aircraft if it were not for the fact that I have another photograph showing two more S.E.5s bearing the same marking. One of these is also an ex-56 Squadron aircraft (A.4856). It would appear that "56" must have handed over some of their aircraft to another squadron during the summer of 1917. London, N.13. L. DONOGHUE. Puffs and Bangs I" AM inclined to disagree with A. H. Yates' (October 9th) -*- suggestion about the "puffs" of vapour during a supersonic dive. Recently, on a fine day with good visibility, I observed a single vapour trail. On examination with field glasses it turned out to be a Sabre at approximately 30,000 ft. When directly over head the aircraft flashed over on its back and came down in a vertical dive with the vapour streaming out behind. At 25,000 ft the contrail stopped. The Sabre had just started its pull-out when two bluish-white puffs of vapour whipped off the wings and nose at about a half-second interval. This happened at 18,000 ft. These puffs, saucer-shaped, hung in the sky for several hours, and were definitely not caused by engine vapour (contrail). The double bang shook a town five miles away and was heard clearly 12 miles away. All we heard was a low rumble. Scunthorpe, Lines. A. W. HARRISON, R.O.C. IN BRIEF A correspondent in India, Mr. M. R. C. Thomas, omits his address. If he will provide it, we can answer his queries. * * * Mr. A. R. Golding (41 Molesey Close, Molesey Road, Hersham, Surrey), a collector of military-aviation relics, would be glad of help in a search for (a) a war-time German flying helmet, goggles and oxygen mask and (b) an American Lombard helmet and mask. FORTHCOMING EVENTS Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov, Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Dee. Dec. 6. Helicopter Association: Discussion: "The Independent Airline Operator and the Helicopter." 6. Photogrammetric Society: "Adjustment of Aerial Triangula- tion Evaluation with Wild A.5," by H. H. Brazier and V. A. Williams. 6-11. "Dates" Air Rally, Biskra, Algeric. 7. British Interplanetary Society (Midlands Branch): "A Pro gramme for Achieving Interplanetary Flight," by A. V. Cleaver, F.R.Ae.S. 10. R.Ae.S. Section Lecture: "Gusts and their Measurement " by J. Taylor, M.A., A.F.R.Ae.S. 10. Institute of Transport (Yorkshire Section): " Helicopter Transport in Great Britain," by N. E. Rowe, C.B.E., M.lnst.T. 12. R.Ae.S. Main Lecture: "Stability and Control in Aircraft Design," by J. C. Wimpenny. 17. R.Ae.C.: Film Show, Londonderry House. 19. R.Ae.S. Section Lecture: "Aircraft Stability and Control," by A. W. Babister, M.A., A.F.R.Ae.S. 20. Institute of Navigation: "Navigation in the U.K.-New Zealand Air Race " by members of the R.A.F. team. R.Ae.S. Graduates' and Students' Section: "The Case for the Light Fighter," by P. A. Norman. S.L.A.E.—"Training the R.A.F. Apprentice," by G/C. R. J. Carvell. R.Ae.S. Section Lecture: "Integral Construction," by K. L, G. Legg, B.Sc, A.M.I.Mech.E.. A.F.R.Ae.S. Helicopter Association: "Ground Resonance," by R. Howarth. 26. 28. 1. Dec. 4. Photogrammetric Society: "Stereoscopic Vision applied to Photogrammetry," by Professor W. D. Wright. Dec. 9. Royal United Service Institution: "Effects on the Human Body of High-speed and High-altitude Flight," by G/C. W. K. Stewart, C.B.E., A.F.C., B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B. Dec. 10. R.Ae.S. Main Lecture: "Training Devices for Aircrew," by N. J. G. Hill, A.M.I.A.E., A.R.Me.S., or deputy (at Belfast). R.Ae.S. Branch Fixtures (to Dec. 9).—Nov. 9, Halton, "Petroleum and the Aircraft Industry," by K. C. Hunt. Nov. 10, Belfast, debate. Nov. 13, Chester, annual dance. Nov. 16, Halton, branch night. Nov. 18, Manchester, "Developments in Gliding," by A. H. Yates. Nov. 23, Halton, junior members' night. Nov. 24, Henlow, films; Belfast, "Short Analogue Computer," by E. Lloyd-Thomas; Boseombe Down, Inaug ural meeting. Nov. 25, Bristol, "R.A.F. Operational Requirements," by A. Cdre. W. H. Kyle. Nov. 27, Birmingham, "Uses for the Small Gas Turbine" (speaker to be announced). Nov. 30, Ha/ton, films. Dec. 2, Luton, "Short-haul and Charter Operations," by a charter operator; Chester, "Rocket Propulsion and Interplanetary Flight," by A. V. Cleaver. Dec. 4, Bristol, Engineering Association joint dance. Dec, 7, Halton and Henlow area meeting, "Design of Fast Load-carrying Aeroplanes," by D. H. Lee, F.R.Ae.S. Dec. 8, Bristol, "Fly-Past, Present and Future," by Capt. J. Laurence Pritchard, hon. F.R.Ae.S.; Henlow, "The Training of Test Pilots," by G/C. S. Wroath, A.F.C. Dec. 9, Manchester, "Principles of Weight Control," by F. Howarth, A.F.R.Ae.S.
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