مجموعة ٥/١٣ "أفغانستان: تقرير عن حالة سلاح الجو الأفغاني" [و‎‎٢‎٨] (١٠٦/٥٥)

Afghan Air "Force.
(Stationed at Sherpur Aerodrome—Kabul).
The following report on the Afghan Air Force is compiled from personal
observations made, in addition to conversations with Russian and Afghan
pilots and other personnel of the Air Force, on Sherpur Aerodrome during the
period 18th December 1928 and 3rd January 1929.
Owing to the present conditions and situation in general it has been
impossible to gain access to hangars, workshops and Headquarters ohices, so
that no information on the undermentioned points can be given at present:—
(а) Number of unserviceable aeroplanes.
(б) Number that can be made serviceable in addition to those in use.
(c) Facilities and capabilities of workshops.
(d) Efficiency of mechanics.
(e) Spares available.
(/) Number of bomb racks and aerial guns available,
1. Strength —
(a) Aircraft .—The undermentioned aircraft are serviceable and are in
use at present :—
7 D. H. 9-As. (Russian type—Liberty engine).
1 Henry Potez (single engine, French type).
7 Junker monoplanes (single engine type).
1 Junker monoplane (three engine type—King’s aeroplane).
■(b) Personnel—'
12 Russian pilots.
10 Afghan pilots.
2 German pilots (one solely for King’s aeroplane).
5 Subordinate officers.
2 German mechanics (King’s aeroplane).
12 Afghan mechanics.
3 Russian mechanics.
\ ery few Afghan pilots fly and are chiefly employed on aerodrome <n lar d
duties or else as messengers for the Air Force Commandant. No definite
ground duties other than above are allotted to them
The whole of the organisation and administration is carried out by the
Commandant and Assistant Commandant in conjunction with Russian pilots.
Russian pilots are chiefly responsible for the flying and maintenance o£
Hk aeroplanes m the Afghan Air lorce. Sometimes mechanics fly as “air
gunners and at other times Afghan pilots fly as “ observers”. Whenever
there are any important flying duties to be carried out Russian pilots prefer
Russians as observers ’ or “ air gunners”. ^ F
The Commandant, Muhammed Ihsan Khan, who was trained in Italy
f u ar9 > 19 eons.dered a bad pilot and very seldom flies. Apart from the
fact that his living capabilities are not worth considering, it is considered that
Force* 1 Ca ^ a ^ le Commandant and exercises full control of the Air
I he Assistant Commandant, Muhammed Hashim, who
Italy, is far below the average ” as a pilot and only flies
Russian pilots.
w'as also trained in
as an observer with