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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 1508.PDF
662 FLIGHT FROM ALL QUARTERS t Comet 2s for C.P.A. AN order has been placed by Canadian Pacific Airlines for three Comet Series (Rolls-Royce Avons), with an option on a fourth. The airline envisages the use of the Comet 2s initially on a trans-Pacific service between Vancouver and Sydney, cutting the flying times by about one third. This is a development of the original programme for a Comet la service between Australia and Honolulu; the service, it will be remembered, was withheld because of the destruction of the first aircraft on March 2nd, 1953; but the company's jet policy continues. Announcing the order, de Havilland recall that this Canadian airline was second only to B.O.A.C. in placing an order for Comets. Delivery of the Series 2s is expected next year. French Import Restrictions """THE introduction of protective import restrictions on aircraft * was announced last week-end by the French Secretary of State for Civil Aviation, M. Devinat, in the National Assembly. Precise details of the decrees passed are not available, but reports state that their effect will be to compel Air France and private French operators to use French aircraft on routes within the French Union, particularly between Metropolitan France and French North and West Africa. Aircraft built in France at present, M. Devinat said, were not able to withstand competition from those manufactured abroad, and it was essential for Air France to continue to use foreign-built machines on international routes. The restrictions presumably do not apply to aircraft at present in use or on order (examples are, of course, the Comet, Viscount and the Heron), but to future purchases. For some time it has been no easy matter for French companies to purchase British machines, due to that country's sterling position. Return of the Air Race Canberras /~\N Friday last, the Canberras which took part in the England ^-^ to New Zealand race returned to London Airport after their extensive goodwill tour through Australia, Malaya, Thailand, Burma, India, Pakistan, Irak and Malta. They were greeted with an example of truly foul English weather entirely in keeping with the date—Friday the 13th. On taxying-in, the crews were welcomed by the Vice-Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman (deputizing for the Secretary of State for Air); the Assistant High Commissioner for New Zealand, Dr. Campbell; the A.O.C.-in-C. Bomber Command, Air Marshal G. H. Mills; the president of the Royal Aero Club, Lord Brabazon of Tara; and the chairman of English Electric, Ltd., Sir George Nelson. In a welcoming speech on behalf of the Air Council, Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman congratulated the crews on their great achieve ment. The additional records set up during the race, he said, added new lustre to the R.A.F. and demonstrated once again the supremacy of British aircraft. Lord Brabazon of Tara then presented to F/L. Burton and W/C. Hodges the Royal Aero Club certificates recording, respectively, the point-to-point records between London and Basra and London and Colombo. F/L. Burton's certificate for the London to Christchurch record was not yet ready. AMERICAN TWO-SPOOLERS: This photograph of a pair of Pratt and Whitney 157s is the first to be released. Undoubtedly the most important engine in America, and scheduled for almost every new American fighter, bomber and airliner, the 157 corresponds roughly to our Olympus. After the welcoming ceremony, we had an opportunity of a word with some of the crews. Fatigue had apparently caused no trouble during the race, thanks to long-distance flying practice carried out before the race. The crews had not planned to leave their aircraft at all: food was handed in to the cockpits on trays, but, owing to the pressure of servicing, omelettes, chicken, toast and other such transportable items were preserved for eating in the less-fraught moments during flight. The aircraft had arrived at Christchurch in extremely bad weather—a 300ft cloud-base and strong winds. The Australian G.C.A. had talked everyone down satisfactorily, but S/L. Raw, in the first Australian Canberra, had been unable to take advantage of it. When forced to land at Woomera without nosewheels he had lost pitot head, R/T. and cabin pressurization. Though the pitot head had been replaced, he was still without R/T. or pressurization over the last leg; one of his navigators, while changing a faulty oxygen mask, became unconscious; and, finally, let-down and approach to Christchurch had perforce to be made visually in the weather conditions mentioned above. Fuel margins were close throughout the race. F/L. Burton A LONDON WELCOME for the Canberra crews. (Left) F/L. R. L. £. Burton, A.F.C., the winning pilot, receiving his R.Ae.C. record certificates from Lord Brabazon of Tara, president of the Royal Aero Club. (Right) Left to right, W/C. L. M. Hodges, S/L. R. Currie, F/L. Burton, F/L. D. H. Gannon F/L. R. MacA. Furze, F/L. T. E. M. Dunne (reserve crew-member) and F/L. S. W. Pattinson (race engineer). "Flight" photograph
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