Coll 5/13 ‘Afghanistan: Reports on condition of Afghan Air Force’ [‎29r] (57/106)

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Markings .—The main planes, fuselage and tail unit are painted a dark
Olive green colour. Identification discs are painted in the centre of the under
side of the main planes as under : —
Outer Black (about 5 feet diameter).
Tuner circle .—Dark red.
Centre. —Pea green.
Each circle is about five inches wide.
The rudder is marked with black, d irk red and pea green vertical stripes
about 6 inches wide, the green stripe being near the trailing edge of the
rudder. There are no identification discs or markings on the top of the top
main planes.
Engine. —400 h. p. Liberty.
General.—T>. H. 9A.s and Henry Potez are the only types at present in
the Afghan Air Force which can be equipped for war. D. H. 9A.s are invari-
ablv flown by Russian pilots During the air operations against the Shinwaris,
Russian pilots carried out all the bomb rakls and reconnaissance with
Russians as observers. During the air operations against Bachai Saqao,
Russian pilots carried out all bomb raids and reconnaissance, but at times
Afghan pilots were carried as observers.
Very little formation flying has been carried out except the three occasions
when bomb raids were carried out in wide formation. On these occasions
the formation was very poor, regular intervals were not maintained and the
aeroplanes in no way held their positions in a steady manner. ^No landings in
formation were attempted.
No aerobatics are carried out.
No night flying is carried out nor have the D. H. 9A.s any night-flying
equipment.
Landings on the whole are good, but it is seldom that pilots consider the
wind when landing. During the period 18lh December 1928 to 3rd January
1929 inclusive, D. H. 9A.s have done 32 hours’ flying. It is not known how T
many pilots were employed to carry out that amount of flying. Details of
flying times may be obtained from “ Movements of Aircraft ” attached.
(b) Junker s monoplanes. —(Single engine type).
All metal (corrugated), commercial type of monoplane. Dual control.
Markings.— Wing* and fuselage painted silver grey colour. Black squares
(about 5 feet X 4 feet) painted in centre of underside of bottom main planes.
Black letters on side of fuselage. (English lettering).
Controls. —All controls to rudder, tail planes and aelerons are internally
fitted. Aelerons and tail plane controlled by wheel type of control column.
Rudder control—pedal type rudder bar.
Instruments.— aeroplane instruments are fitted.
Undercarriage—Y type metal undercarriage with springs encased by
streamlined metal cowlings. Wired wheels with black discs.
Capacity. —Two seats in pilot’s cockpit side by side to carry either two
pilots or pilot and mechanic. Normally each aeroplane carries one pilot and
one mechanic. Carries four other passengers with small amount of baggage.
Passenger compartment is fitted out on same principal as motor car seating
accommodation and is upholstered in red leather. Spring blinds are fitted to
windows and carpets on floor. Ash trays are also fitted.
Enqine' —300 h. p. Heavy oil type—water cooled—six-cylinder type
(self starting). The exhaust pipe leads out through the top of engine cowling
and extends over top of fuselage. The engine cowling is hinged at the rear
end and when lifted up exposes all main parts of the engine.
Speed. —Normal cruising speed—100 m. p. h.
Maximum speed—120 m. p. h.
Landing space— off in about 250 yards with full load and lands in
about 300 yards.