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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 0308.PDF
142 FLIGHT FROM ALL QUARTERS AT ROTORUA: Her Ma jesty the Queen enters a de Havilland Heron of New Zealand National Airways to fly to Gis- borne. In the foreground is Sir Leonard Isitt (chair man of N.Z.N.A.) and at the foot of the gangway is GjC. J. J. Busch. Aircraft Export Record AIRCRAFT took second place in Britain's engineering exports • last year, their value being exceeded, in the broad category styled "engineering products," only by motor vehicles. Final 1953 figures, released last week, show that the aircraft industry brought no less than £65,004,891 to this country. This is an increase of some £20 million over the total for the previous year, when, for the first time, the aircraft figures exceeded the value of British shipbuilders' exports and came into third place among all classes of engineering exports. The new aircraft total represents 6.4 per cent of the overall figure for engineering exports. Commenting on this very satisfactory result, the S.B.A.C. remarks it is accounted for partly by the easing of restrictions on the exports of military aircraft made possible by changes in the defence programme, and also by the delivery overseas for the first time of the new turbine airliners. During the year, 13 such airliners were exported. In the Commons '"THAT a considerable programme of research into the problems -*- of "piloted supersonic flight" was being undertaken was stated to the House of Commons on Monday last, February 1st, by Mr. Duncan Sandys, the Minister of Supply. He said that a number of different types of supersonic Service aircraft were in course of development. He was not free to go into details. This question-time reply (which added nothing to existing knowledge) appeared to surprise Mr. Beswick (Lab., Uxbridge). Presumably Mr. Beswick had intended his question to the Minister to imply supersonic level flight. Several other matters of aviation interest were raised in the House on Monday. An assurance mat manufacturing agreements with the United States in the field of aircraft engineering were proving to be mutually satisfactory was given by Mr. Duncan Sandys. He said that versions of the Tay and Sapphire were being manufactured under licence in America. He could not, of course, disclose pro- SABRE SIMULATOR—the first of ten being made by Redifon, Ltd., for the R.C.A.F.—is accepted by A. Cdre. Martin Costello, O.B.E., CD., from Mr. Paul Adorian, chairman of the company (see page 144). duction figures for American military engines, as implied in a question by Mr. Beswick. Mr. Sandys said there was a great deal of interchange of infor mation and development knowledge between the air forces of Britain and America, and it was gready to the advantage of both countries that this arrangement should continue. Anodier question from Mr. Beswick concerned money spent by the Ministry of Supply since the war on engine research and development. He wanted to know die total, and to what extent this money had been recovered after sales by manufacturers. Mr. Sandys replied that almost all his department's expenditure on engine development had been primarily for military purposes; such information could not, therefore, be published. Until 1950, the amounts recovered from manufacturers in respect of engine sales were not kept separately; but it could be said that these repayments were at present at the rate of about £1,000,000 a year. Air. Beswick then drew attention to the recent statement "by the chairman of the biggest group of aircraft manufacturers," who had said that insufficient money was being spent on research and development, and mat in fact the Ministry of Supply was now actuated by timidity and complacency. Did the Minister accept these criticisms? Mr. Sandys replied that he did not, and that an answer to these charges had already been given. Shipping Line Invests in Airwork "PARTNERSHIPS between shipping and air-transport com- * panies seem likely to have an important influence on the future of the British independent airline industry. One such arrange ment has recendy come into effect; a second was announced on Monday, when Furness, Withy and Co., Ltd., stated that they had agreed to acquire a substantial interest in Airwork, Ltd. S. Pearson Industries, Ltd., and Mr. Loel Guinness retain their existing interests in Airwork, whose board will be strengthened by two nominees of Furness, Withy. This major shipping line and its direct subsidiaries own vessels of 595,000 tons gross and have 11 ships of some 80,000 tons under construction. Airwork, established in 1928, operates Vikings, Hermes and DC-3s. YEOVIL PRODUCTION of Westland-Sikorsky S-5S multi-purpose heli copters (Alvis Leonides engine) is coming along nicely, as this recent picture bears witness. The S-55's Service name will be Whirlwind.
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