Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Air to accompany the Air Estimates, 1927. Presented to Parliament by LONDON: PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: 15, Donegall Square West, Belfast; or through any Bookseller. 1927. Price 3d. Net; Cmd. 2814. Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Air to accompany the Air Estimates for 1927. 66 The total of the net Air Estimates which Parliament is asked to vote for the coming year is £15,550,000, being a figure of £16,050,000 reduced by a super-cut" for underspending (on Votes 3 and 4) of £500,000. The corresponding figures for the current year were £16,000,000, similarly reduced by a "super-cut (on Vote 4) from £16,150,000. The gross Estimates include expenditure on the Middle East and the Fleet Air Arm (repaid by the Colonial Office and Admiralty). It is satisfactory to note that there is a reduction of no less than £680,000 in Air expenditure in the Middle East. This large decrease is due to the reduction of the Imperial Forces in Iraq which has been rendered possible by the continued success of the Air Command combined with the more promising political and military outlook. The increase on the Fleet Air Arm represents normal development in accordance with the Admiralty programme of aircraft carriers. The detailed figures are as follows: The total amount required for ordinary services of the Royal Air Force, including Home Defence, is little altered. Whilst there is a decrease on personnel and on works and buildings, there is an increase on technical equipment, particularly upon new types of machines. The number of front line, reserve and auxiliary units is continuing to rise gradually. The slowing down of the expansion programme and the constant scrutiny of establishments have made their effect felt in a reduction in capital expenditure on new aerodromes and buildings and in the numbers of personnel under training. On the other hand, war stocks are on the point of exhaustion, and new types of machines and engines are increasingly coming into use, with the inevitable result of a larger expenditure on the re-armament of squadrons. Imperial Conference. Important discussions took place at the Imperial Conference in regard to air development, both in its military and its civil aspects. Particular attention was given to the urgent need for developing Empire air routes with the object of increasing the mobility of Imperial air power and furthering Imperial air services. I am glad to say that agreement was reached upon a number of far-reaching proposals, which should lead to a system of closer co-operation between the various governments of the Empire than has hitherto existed. The progress made with the experimental programme of Airship Development was closely reviewed, and indication was given of intended co-operation by the Dominion and Indian Governments. The proceedings are recorded in Command Papers 2768 and 2769. Further reference is made to these matters below, but it seems proper to record here that what I hope may be called without exaggeration the dawn of a new era in Imperial communications, whether for purposes of defence or commerce, is in sight. Strength and Distribution of the Royal Air Force. The development of the Royal Air Force during the current financial year has followed the programme which was indicated in the memorandum issued with the Air Estimates for 1926. The operational units now maintained are equivalent to 63 squadrons, of which 56 are on a regular basis. Two new non-regular squadrons (one Special Reserve and one Auxiliary Air Force) have been formed and the Home Defence Force has been increased also by the addition of one regular squadron, which became available through reduction in the Imperial garrison in Iraq. The Home Defence Force now consists of 28 squadrons, including 7 on a non-regular basis, and more than half the original programme of 52 squadrons has thus been completed. It is intended to form two new regular squadrons for Home Defence during the financial year 1927. In addition, one new non-regular squadron will be formed. Provision is made for five new flights (the equivalent of 2 squadrons) for the Fleet Air Arm. These are required for the 24 0 (5)28104 Wt 25065-15277 1875 3/27 E&S A 2 1 complement of aircraft for H.M.S. "Courageous," which is due to commission as an aircraft carrier in the course of the financial year. The strength of the Fleet Air Arm will thereby be raised from 18 to 23 flights or the equivalent of about 11 squadrons. One new squadron will also commence to form for Army co-operation at home, in addition to the four squadrons already provided. This is called for by the development of Catterick as an Army Training Centre. It will thus be seen that it is proposed, in all, to increase the strength of the Royal Air Force during the year by the addition of approximately six squadrons or their equivalent. As a consequence of the settlement of the Northern Boundary question and of the progress in the development of the Iraq Army, the Air garrison in Iraq is being reduced from eight squadrons to five, whilst the Military garrison has been reduced during the last 12 months from four to three battalions and another battalion will be withdrawn without replacement in the course of the next few weeks. In all 11 squadrons are at present located in middle-eastern theatres. Six squadrons continue to be maintained in India. Development of Air Routes. The policy of testing and developing the mobility of the Air Arm by means of long distance flights has been pursued during the past year and will be continued as part of the normal training exercises of the Royal Air Force. The flight by Service aircraft from Cairo to Capetown and back, the preparations for which were referred to in my memorandum attached to the Estimates for 1926-was most successfully completed. The original plan of the flight was extended and the aircraft engaged finished the tour by flying from Cairo to England after being refitted for this purpose with float undercarriages. The total distance covered was approximately 14,000 miles. It is intended that a similar flight should be undertaken during the present year and arrangements have been made that on this occasion aircraft of the South African Air Force shall be associated with the flight. Preparations are in progress for the carrying out of a longdistance flight with flying boats, with the object of developing the Service air route between India and the Far East. These boats will be provided during 1927, and the intention is that in 1928 they should make an extensive cruise as a self-contained unit in Far Eastern waters, visiting finally some of the Australian ports. A survey of the route is at present being carried out by a ground party. I attach the greatest possible importance to the development of these strategic air routes, which are essential to the effective and economical employment of the Air Arm in the field of Imperial defence. A sum of £30,000 is taken in the Estimates for expenditure on landing grounds and refuelling bases in connection with the development of these air routes. Training and Experimental Establishments. The upkeep of the Service squadrons of the Royal Air Force in personnel and equipment is dependent on the maintenance of an adequate organisation for the training of pilots and mechanics and for providing instruction in specialist subjects, such as aeronautical engineering, wireless telegraphy, photography, aerial gunnery and co-operation with the Navy and Army. These establishments are a necessary and integral part of the organisation for the Air Service, and the technical complexities inherent in training, both for work in the air and for the upkeep of material on the ground, require that they should be of an elaborate kind. As regards flying instruction, four schools are maintained, in which pupils, starting with elementary training, reach in due course the degree of proficiency at which they are qualified to pass into Service squadrons. Each of these schools is organised to train between 70 and 80 pupils. Instruction in the art of flying is a matter of individual tuition, and the flying training schools necessarily demand a large complement of instructors and aircraft if the risk of accident is to be minimised and the training adjusted to the individual qualities of the pupils and to the characteristics of the various types of aircraft which they will fly in the squadrons. The schools provide training for short-service commission officers and airmen pilots, and for officers attached to the Royal Air Force from the Navy and Army. The initial flying training for permanent officers is supplied at the Cadet College, Cranwell. The instruction of a pilot is not complete even when he has passed from training machines and has learnt to fly the more advanced types of aircraft. Further instruction in the air is needed in the specialist branches which are essential to the technique of a combatant Air Service. These comprise formation flying, co-operation with the Army on land, co-operation with the Navy over sea, aerial gunnery, wireless communication between aircraft in flight and from aircraft to the ground, air photography, and practice in the use of important ancillary equipment, such as parachutes, searchlights, &c. The Central Flying School fulfils the most important function of training officers who are already qualified as pilots to become instructors of other pilots. Much flying is also carried out at the experimental stations at Martlesham Heath and at Felixstowe, where new types of aeroplanes and seaplanes are tried out before being passed for |