Naturally, the purchase of a hundred machines does not represent the
total outlay, in connection with the establishment of a well-equipped
air-corps. An organisation must be built up round these machines, and
there must be men not only to fly them, but to keep them in a state of
efficiency; and there is the need, also, of housing the air-fleet.
The question of providing sheds for a fleet of machines is an important
one. Aeroplanes must be well housed, or their depreciation is rapid.
Whatever sheds are provided must, apart from being strong and
weather-proof, be portable as well.
Under the same heading, also, should come the workshops—some of them
portable—necessary to cope with repairs and renewals in connection with
machines. This, too, is an important item, as first-class repair work is
an essential feature in the organisation of any air service.
An estimate of the money that should be expended upon sheds and
repair-shops—for a fleet of a hundred aeroplanes—places the amount at
£20,000. Money should not be stinted in this direction; good sheds, and
efficient repairs, should both tell their tale, when the aeroplane is
used in a campaign.
[Illustration: PILOT AND "OBSERVER."
Photo, M. Roe.
The above photograph shows a military-type Breguet biplane, as used in
the French manœuvres, with pilot and observer in their places.]
Now it is necessary to touch upon the question of military flying
grounds, and the expense incurred in keeping them in proper order; also
the sum of money necessary to provide a sufficient number of motor
transport lorries for the air-fleet. As has been explained, the plan
generally adopted is for an aeroplane to be transported from point to
point on a lorry, and followed by a repair-car.
In regard to the English trials of war aeroplanes, a point is made—in
connection with the size of the packing-cases for machines—of the
possibility of transporting aircraft by railway in time of war.
Undoubtedly, under favourable circumstances, this would provide a rapid
method of bringing up machines from a distance.
Under the headings of the expenditure upon flying grounds, and the
provision of motor-lorries to follow aeroplanes, and act as transport
waggons, a reasonable estimate of the sum to be expended—in connection
with a fleet of a hundred machines—is £20,000.
The sum of £100,000 should be sufficient, not only to purchase a hundred
war aeroplanes, but to equip the corps with sheds and repair-shops, and
also to maintain flying grounds, and provide an adequate number of
motor-lorries.
This amount allocated for machines and incidentals, a Government would
find itself face to face with the question of providing officers and men
for the air-corps. Pay for this corps should, it is considered, be
represented by an annual sum of approximately £60,000.
III. Question of renewals—General cheapness of an air-corps, as compared
with other forms of armament.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account