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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 0131.PDF
and AIRCRAFT ENGINEER First Aeronautical Weekly in the World Founded 1909 No. 2402 Vol. 67. FRIDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 1955 ED/TOR MAURICE A. SMITH, D.F.C. and Bar ASSISTANT ED/TOR H. F. KING, M.B.E. ART ED/TOR JOHN YOXALL Editorial, Advertising and Publishing Offices: DORSET HOUSE, STAMFORD STREET, LONDON, S.E.1. Telegrams, Flightpres, Sedist, London. Telephone, Waterloo 3333 (60 lines). Branch Offices: COVENTRY 8-10, Corporation Street. Telegrams, Autocar, Coventry. Telephone, Coventry 5210. BIRMINGHAM, 2 King Edward House, New Street. Telegrams, Autopress, Birmingham. Telephone, Midland 7191 (7 lines). MANCHESTER, 3 260, Deansgate. Telegrams, lliffe, Manchester. Telephone, Blackfriars 4412 (3 lines). Deansgate 3595 (2 lines). GLASGOW, C.2 26b, Renfield Street. Telegrams, lliffe, Glasgow. Telephone, Central 1265 (2 lines). SU&SCRIPTION RATES Home and Overseas: Twelve months £4 10s. U.S.A. and Canada. $14.00. IN THIS ISSUE: Jet Lift 134 Olympus Progress - - 136 Panto-based Autocar - 138 Tradewind Turboprops 139 - 142 - 145 Soviet Jet Review - - Beverley Build-up - - Rocket Propel lants - - 149 Production Conference - 151 Mountain Waves : Theory and Practice 153 After the StormT HE anxiety and excitement arising from the great snowstorms in Northern Scotland have now died down, and the cost of the emergency measures is being examined by the Royal Navy and Air Force—and by local authorities, farmers and others. In all, 231 sorties were flown by aircraft, including helicopters, of the two Services, in the course of their food-, fuel- and fodder-dropping activities and ambulance flights. There is no doubt that the Services are seen at their peace-time best when engaged on this kind of work; it is excellent experience for them, giving the local commanders the opportunity to demonstrate and exercise their capacities for organization and improviza- tion, and to all concerned with the flying a chance to show their skill, courage and enterprise in a really worthwhile cause. In the training exercises undertaken each year, though they are sometimes admirably planned, it is difficult to avoid a feeling of artifi- ciality. At all times of peace, the armed Services need to battle against the debilitating effects of Service routine, the humdrum existence, often in remote places, and the infrequent opportunities for the display of individual enterprise. But these matters are a side-issue, and in this context a virtuous outcome seen in a necessary errand of mercy. Truly it is an ill wind that blows no man any good. A question which must often have come to mind is that of whether a permanent emergency air service could, or should, be established along lines somewhat similar to those of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. This question does not, of course, imply a moment's criticism of the rescue work undertaken by our Services and by U.S.A.F. units in this country. Their aid has been prompt and effective and it has resulted in the saving of many lives, often under hazardous circumstances. But perhaps this vital work should no longer depend only upon the availability and voluntary co-operation of Service units. The Versatile Helicopter It is the helicopter—which to an increasing extent has been demonstrating in past months its remarkable capabilities and versatility for rescue and other emergency work —that has altered the whole picture and opened up new possibilities. Only the Services, and more particularly the Navy, operate suitably equipped helicopters in some numbers, and therefore they are invariably called upon when help is needed. In other countries this is not necessarily always the case; for example, several police forces in America are now helicopter-equipped, and their machines can quickly be brought into use in emergency. There seems, in fact, to be a great deal to be said in favour of the establishment of a police branch equipped with helicopters, for they eould undertake more quickly and efficiently than any other vehicle a whole variety of special duties. Normally these aircraft would be most useful for traffic and communications work—and, in fact, for most of the other duties for which the police at present use road vehicles. But, in addition, one or more helicopters would be quickly available in emergency almost anywhere in the country. It seems probable that in any case a police force worthy of the label of "modern" will need a helicopter fleet within the next few years in addition to its cars, motor cycles and patrol boats. Thus, attractions of such a scheme would be the employment of the machines—and the pilots—in two most important roles involving the minimum amount of idle time (compare lifeboats) and the sharing of the expense and responsibility throughout the community. Finally, we may revert to the plight of the villagers and crofters of Caithness and Sutherland. Thanks to the B.B.C., it was possible to advise those in difficulty that help would come from the air, and to instruct them to lay out an initial letter in the snow to indicate their needs: D for doctor, F for food, and so on. Surely such signs should now be the subject of international agreement and world-wide recognition as, for example, is the S O S signal. It would assist everyone to use to the best advantage that generous good-neighbourly aid so freely forthcoming (and often by air) from most countries; help of this kind provides one of the few bright spots in the grief and misery surrounding such disasters as the Greek Island earthquakes and the floods of Holland.
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