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Coll 5/13 ‘Afghanistan: Reports on condition of Afghan Air Force’ [29v] (58/106)
The record is made up of 1 file (51 folios). It was created in 26 Jul 1926-5 Feb 1929. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
General. —These aeroplanes are invariably flown by Russian pilots and are
employed for mail and passenger carrying in normal times. They have taken
no part in air operations, but some of them have been employed in bringing
petrol from Russia and oil from Kandahar in small quantifies. One small
Junker used for conveying mails and important personages from Kabul to
Kandahar, or vice versa, is flown by a German pilot named Joas.
(c) Junker monoplane. — (Three engine type.) King’s aeroplane
Construction. —On same lines as single engine type. All metal (cor
rugated).
Markings. —The wings and fuselage are painted silver grey colour with the
engine cowlings and undercarriage black. The tips and underside of wings
painted red with Royal crest in grey.
Engines. —Total 900 h. p. Three heavy oil—air-cooled—six-cylinder
engines (same type as single engine Junker).
Speed. —Normal cruising speed—140 m. p. h.
Maximum speed—160 m. p. h.
Landing space. —Takes off with full load in about 300 yards and lands in
about 400 yards.
General. —This aeroplane is flown by a German pilot named Rothe, who is
known as the King’s pilot. Two German mechanics are employed on this
aeroplane. Only one flight has been carried out recently, when the Royal
Family (except the King) were evacuated to Kandahar on 21st December
1928. The pilot stated that the aeroplane had only been used three times by
the King since his return from European tour.
4. Brief summary o'n air operations carried out. —In view of the fact that
the surrounding country is in such a critical state owing to the Shinwari
rebellion and repeated attacks of the rebels of Bachai Saqao on Kabul, which
has necessitated > ery important air operations, it is considered that the reported
strength of aircraft, etc., constitutes all the effective equipment of the Afghan
Air Force at present. It is further considered that the work carried out
represents the maximum effort on a war operations basis with the present
material available. These operations have more or less proved that the war
value of the Afghan pilot is very low and that the efficiency of the Afghan Air
Force depends on Russians. This is borne out by the fact that during the
air operations against the Shinwaris no Afghan pilots took part or were even
allow ed by the Russians to fly as “ observers ” or “ air gunners ”.
It is believed that the necessary workshop facilities have been, or are being,
provided, but as no details are at present available, it is not possible to predict
the future state of efficiency of the aircraft. At present the aircraft are being
maintained in a reasonable state of efficiency.
J032(C) F&Pl)
About this item
- Content
The file contains a number of reports submitted by Francis Henry Humphrys, HM Minister at Kabul, regarding the Afghan Air Force and the development of aviation in Afghanistan. These reports generally provide information on the following: the aircraft in use, the personnel employed, the armament available, the equipment and fuel stores, details on flight operations, and ground facilities.
Two particularly substantial reports included are as follows:
- A report on a conversation held by HM Minister with Mr Patwardhan of the Afghan Air Force in September 1926 (see folio 46).
- A report dated 7 January 1929 by C W L Trusk of the Royal Air Force on observations made between 18 December 1928 and 7 January 1929 (see folios 9-26 typed copy, and folios 27-32 for printed copy).
The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (51 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 53; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 9-26; these numbers are also written in pencil or printed, but are not circled.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Coll 5/13 ‘Afghanistan: Reports on condition of Afghan Air Force’ [29v] (58/106), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/1958, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100037998107.0x00003b> [accessed 27 September 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/1958
- Title
- Coll 5/13 ‘Afghanistan: Reports on condition of Afghan Air Force’
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:52v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence