Coll 5/73 ‘Afghan Air Force: Reports on’ [‎122r] (243/431)

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@f i*T) 9
4* Italian Breda Trainer Aircraft.
Two out of the three serviceable
Breda airdraft were flown by an Afghan pilot in December, and he is
stated to have informed the Air Commandant afterwards that these
'aircraft are unfit for further use. The woodwork in the wings of
these Breda aircraft is rotting and there is a general lack or-essential
ispares •
5. Flying Training School.
Tne nine students now being given instruction
m the theory of aviation are expected to begin their flying training
in April, 1943.
6. Airfields .
Tne position is the same as reported last quarter.
7. Aviation Petrol.
(a) Stocks of petrol at the Sherpur airfield are gradually increasing
and on 31st January were believed to consist of:-
(i) Approx 100,000 gallons in storage tanks
(ii) Approx 12,000 gallons in 300 forty gallon drums.
About two thirds of the petrol stored in drums is stated to have been
in store for 9 months or more, and the octane value of the petrol has
deteriorated. A fair number of the drums are said to be rusty.
(b) Petrol stored at Khwaja Rawash airfield on 31st January is stated
to consist of:-
(i) Five 5000 gallon surface tanks, all full, installed at the
entrance gate of the airfield.
(ii) Two 5000 gallon tanks, both full, installed under the ground
at the foot of the hills to the north of the airfield.
N.B.
One further 5000 gallon storage tank is to be installed at the
foot of the hills to the north of the airfield. There are no 40-45
gallon drums of petrol in store at Khwaja Rawash.
(c) On 1st December 100 gallons of petrol were sent from Kabul to
Ghazni for onward despatch by animal transport to Ghilan (Map.33/P.Z.82)
where a Hind aircraft, flown by an Afghan pilot named Nur Ali Knan, had
force-landed owing to snortage of petrol. - ^ ,
There were no other despatches of petrol from Kabul to the provinces^
during the Quarter«. There are believed to be small stocks of aviation
petrol at Jalalabad, Gardez, Ghazni and Kandahar. It is now reported
that the aviation petrol stored at Ghazni has not been returned to
Kabul as reported last quarter. Certain aircraft spares previously
in store in Ghazni have however been witndrawn to Kabul.
It is interesting to note that when petrol was required for the aircraft
which force-landed at Ghilan on December 1st it ms sent from Kabul
and not Ghazni. The reason given for this action was that the store
keeper at Ghazni would probably refuse to issue the petrol unless a
special government order ms despatched to him,/delay would have occurred
in obtaining this authority. and
8. British Instructors.
(a) Flight Sergeant R. Gillett, R.A.F., left
Kabul for India on November 22nd on completion of his two years attach
ment to the Afghan Air Force as an engine mechanic and fitter. No
replacement for him has been provided.
(b) Mr. D.W.R. Robinson, Messrs Rolls Royce >
instructor ia terminating his contract with the Afghan Govt, about the
middle of February, 1943. He has refused to consider an extension of
his contract for a further year and hopes to obtain a commission in th i
Indian Army Ordnance Corps. Messrs Rolls Royce are providing a relief
for him from England. _