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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 0758.PDF
Members of No 600 (City of London) Sqn Association at "The Castle," Cowcross Street, London. Left to right: F/Sgt F. J. Cooke, Gp Capt P. G, Stewart, F/Sgt C.T. Batchelor, Fit Lt G. Dobson and Sqn Ldr C. L. Tedder (see letter from Mr Leslie Hunt) Letters The Editor of "Flight International" is not necessarily in agreement with the views expressed by correspondents in these columns. Names and addresses of writers, not for publication in detail, must in all cases accompany letters. Kerosine or JP.4 ? SIR,—Mr Morris (March 29) has made a most valuable addi tion to my article of March 8 on the history of the kerosine/ JP.4 controversy. I was certainly not aware that he had represented this country at ICAO in 1951 in an attempt to have kerosine made mandatory for civil aircraft. In describ ing how the British resolution was talked out of court, it was a pity Mr Morris did not explain how the Americans came to hold the extraordinary view that kerosine could be more explosive than JP.4. Such a view is contradicted by all published data, so far as I am aware, including the recently published Government report. Also, in explaining the other reasons for the American preference for JP.4 at that time, Mr Morris might have left readers with the impression that this fuel is in widespread use in America. This is not the case. As I stated in my article, American use of JP.4 has been confined to overseas opera tors. Finally, I think Mr Morris spoilt an otherwise informative letter with his suggestion as to the logicality of banning piston-engined aircraft because they cannot use kerosine. This may be strictly logical but it is also absurd. Surely all that is required is that each class of aeroplane should offer to the travelling public the maximum amount of safety of which it is capable. Harpenden, Herts j. w. RICKARD Blackbushe Inquiry SIR,—I am writing on behalf of the Blackbushe Aero Club appealing for help from the many aviation enthusiasts who read your journal. AVM D. C. T. Bennett, the Pathfinder, has bought something like three-quarters of the old airport with the avowed intention of re-opening it as a licensed airfield for light aircraft. A "Mecca" of private and business aviation is visualized. Certain residents of the only village anywhere near have built up a wall of opposition—based, we believe, on a misconception of what will be involved. Unfortunately these people have carried with them successive strata of planning committees so that now we have the Hampshire County Council itself in opposition. In consequence of this there will be a Ministry of Housing and Local Government public inquiry at 10 a.m. on May 29 at Yateley village hall, near the aerodrome. The club is going to be represented and, apart from the fact of its 170 member ship, is hoping to demonstrate a true public demand. Its 756 FLIGHT International, 10 May 1%2 members have all been asked to write to their MPs asking for the field to be re-opened, on a basis of need, suitability of position and low fog-incidence. In addition, each member is collecting signatures with legible addresses on sheets with the heading statement: "We, the undersigned, urge the re-opening of Blackbushe Airport for light aircraft. We further declare that we have not signed another copy of this sheet." When filled, these sheets are to be sent to the club's chartered accountants, Stewart and Co, 1 High Street, Camberley, Surrey, for auditing. It seems reasonable to hope that many readers, with the interests of light aviation at heart, will be happy to add their efforts to the campaign as if they were members of the club. I would also be particularly glad to know the names of any present or future aircraft owners, or business firms, likely to be interested in using Blackbushe in the future. 50 Bridge Road, Cove, HOLLAND BIRKETT Farnborough, Hants Under Three Brass Balls SIR,—As a postscript to my third article Flight Inter national, April 19) on inn-signs with an aeronautical flavour, the accompanying photograph may be of interest. It was taken inside a London pub which, though its signboard bears the prosaic name The Castle, nevertheless has a happy link with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Situated in Cowcross Street, London EC1, it is the meeting place on the first Friday of every month of No 600 (City of London) Sqn Association. Any ex-member who has not attended one of these friendly gatherings should make a point of being there at the next. The medals worn by the stalwarts in the picture are explained by the fact that it was taken on the occasion of the Lord Mayor's Show, in which the Association is always represented. The Castle is perhaps unique in having three signs. One is outside and two inside. Visible in the picture, the latter are a No 600 Sqn badge and (oddly enough) a pawnbroker's sign. Here, in fact, is the only pub with a pawnbroker's licence. Needing money badly after heavy gambling at a nearby cock-fight, George the Fourth called in to pledge his watch. Later he rewarded the landlord by granting him the right of pawnbrokerage in perpetuity. Leigh-on-Sea, Essex • LESLIE HUNT Hypersonnete Let me not to an entry into space Admit impediments. A race is no race Which Roger Bacon s whimsy cannot run, Or probe with NASA's Delta to the Sun: O, mate! He is the astronautic wit Who reads the handout, yet is never taken; He is the doom of every cosmic nit, Whose track's unknown, and attitude unshaken. He's not Flyte's fool, though Scruggs and Boost Within his scorching efflux caper; For all his slings and rockets come to roost In constellations of red-taped paper. If we can launch him into orbit free, Then truly shall Earth have her Englishe Satellie. Warwicks w. STRATFORD AVON A Handley Page Anecdote SIR,—Like so many others, I was grieved to read of the death of Sir Frederick Handley Page. At the memorable Air League dinner of 1930 (Amy Johnson was then airborne on her record flight to Australia) I occupied a seat at the press table, at the centre of which stood my paper scale model of the Fokker Spider owned by the Duchess of Bedford; earlier, this model had glided on a wobbly flight-path perilously near that sea of celebrated bald heads, across the banquet-hall. At coffee time a distinguished gentleman came over to us at the press table and asked if he might look at my model. His interest seemed great enough to induce me to explain to him why it
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