Hawker Siddeley in U.S
"We have exchanged ideas with our American friends, and I think we have started a number of things which will benefit both countries and both industries. Both the Air Force and the Navy here are very interested in our fighters and bombers, and it is certainly a rewarding experience to discover that British technological advances in air power immediately command not only wholesale respect but unfeigned admiration."
These words were spoken by Sir Frank Spriggs last week as his United States visit, in company with Sir Roy Dobson and the Hawker Siddeley design council, neared its end. The American visit was paid when the team was en route to Canada for discussions with the Canadian Government and heads of the aircraft industry.
The nature of the "number of things" remains an interesting subject for speculation until such time as security permits disclosures to be made. Certainly the mission was unique of its kind, especially as it culminated in the two British aviation chiefs being invited to the White House for a discussion with President Eisenhower; after the conference they left with Mr. Harold Stassen, head of America's Mutual Security programme.
Civil W.S.55 Delivered
Following successful experience with aircraft, and lately more particularly with helicopters, several whaling companies are now interested in the S-55. The first civil Westland-Sikorsky 55 (600 h.p. P&W Wasp) was delivered recently to a Norwegian company which had previously used S-51s. The 55 carries more equipment and has greater endurance, and this particular version has extra tanks and radio equipment. One of the advantages of the helicopter over the fixed-wing machine is that it is easier to fly slowly and count the whales in schools. The principal advantage is, of course, that the helicopter can take off and land on the mother ship.
Overload
Planning recent charter flights for American business and other organizations, Sabena arranged for their DC-6s to overfly Shannon on the westward trips, assuming that their passengers would want to reach home as soon as possible. In nearly every case the proposal brought emphatic protests; Shannon, it seems, is regarded as a refuelling stop - for whisky. On one flight, says Sabena, a party of 68 American telephone girls purchased over 250 bottles (at 10s. 6d. each- duty free).
Source: Flight International