مجموعة ٥/٧٣ "سلاح الجو الأفغاني: تقارير" [ظ‎‎٨‎٤] (٤٣١/١٦٨)

Since the attached Report was written some of the Afghan Air Force
has been used for operations in the Southern Province against Mazrak, the
rebel Zadraiu
Points of interest in the Report are the fact that the Hind spares
position has improved, and that Italian influence seems to be practically
eliminated from the Air Force, although there are still a few Italian
aircraft serviceable. (\7e are trying to get two Piaggio Engines to fit
the Romeos, but the Air Ministry have misled us about the type
available, and it is taking some time to sort out the muddle).
The lack of spare parts for the Hind machines -which we sold to the
Afghans some few years back has caused us some concern, for the Hind
aircraft were declared obsolete by the Air Ministry last year, and we felt
a certain responsibility to the Afghans for helping to prolong the life
of these old machines* It seems that our efforts have achieved some
result, and spares have now been received. Even though propped up with
spares,the Hind^alas f cannot last for more than a few years, and we are
having great difficulty in suiting the Afghan Government with sufficiently
modem yet not too expensive aircraft. We have tried them unsuccessfully
with Audax, (a very old "type which was available in India) Master Trainer
Aircraft, and second-hand Hurricanes. All these are unacceptable.
Apparently they desire a two seater general purpose air craft, and we have
asked the Air Ministry if they have any ideas as to something suitable and
available. The latter, however, are not too sanguine about having
anything which answers this description.
If the Afghan Government would only wait until the end of the War there
will no doubt be many modem types of aircraft at easy prices for sale to
them, but they seem to have set their heart on having something new soon,
and no doubt their pilots encourage this desire.
It will be a great pity if they turn to the U.3.A. for help. The
Afghan Air Force is trained by a Britith pilot instructor, and British
mechanics, and I think that we should make every effort to see that the
Afghans spend their money on something British. American aircraft will no
doubt mean American trainers.
War Staff.for information.