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the other two were for some months rarely used. It is necessary to add. however,
that these two machines began to be used fairly regularly for training purposes
in January 1937. On the 4th November a fourth aeroplane—a three-engined
“ Caproni ” D.C. 101 eight-seater monoplane—arrived. This machine is stated
to be easily convertible into a bomber, to have a range of 930 miles and a speed
of 174 miles an hour, and to be able to carry 1,100 lb. of bombs and four guns.
With the “ Caproni ” was supplied a hangar for some fifteen to twenty aero
planes. At the end of the year this was being erected at Jedda under the
supervision of Italian engineers. It is understood that the Saudi Arab
Government are paying £2.000 for this hangar, which is much less than the cost
price.
141. In addition to the Italian aeroplanes, the Saudi Arab Government
have a Caudron Renault “ Pelican ” monoplane, which arrived on the 25th March
as a present to the King from the French Government, and three “ Wapitis
purchased under the auspices of His Majesty’s Government in 1929-30. The
“ White ” Russian pilot who, with his Russian mechanic, constitutes the only
properly trained aviation personnel in the employ of the Saudi Government,
informed His Majesty’s Minister that these machines were in excellent order
and “ good for another five years,” but could not be flown, as the Italians had
made their assistance conditional upon the exclusive use of Italian machines.
If such a condition was ever laid down (and the facts supported for some time
the belief that it had been), it was being disregarded in January 1937.
142. The Arab Aviation Society showed considerable activity, and by the
end of the year was stated to have collected some £2,370 gold for the purchase of
aeroplanes to be named Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and Jedda, after the chief towns
in the kingdom. The machines, however, have not yet appeared. The Deputy
Minister for Foreign Affairs sounded the Air Officer Commanding, Middle East,
as to the possible purchase of English aircraft by his Government, but the Saudi
Government did not follow this enquiry up.
143. The main base of the air force is still at Taif, where it is proposed
to use a more suitable landing ground some 18 kilom. from the town, and plans
for building aerodromes at Muwaih, Dawadami and Riyadh have also been
mentioned. The King has handed over his villa at Kandara, outside Jedda, to
the aviation authorities, and a landing ground, a square kilometre in area, on
which the Italians are erecting the new hangar, is being laid out in the vicinity.
Other Aviation.
144. The Saudi Arabian Mining Syndicate have imported a ” Bellanca ”
four-seater monoplane and have made landing grounds at Jedda, Wejh, Yanbu
and Dhiba. The California Arabian Standard Oil Company have a machine
operating in and about Hasa, while Petroleum Development (Western Aiabia)
(Limited) wish to employ aircraft for prospecting purposes, but ha\e not jet
reached an agreement on this point with the Saudi Arab Government. I he
attitude of the Saudi Arab Government towards the arrival oi depaituie o
foreigners by air is uncertain. This year a number of pilgrims wei e allowed to
come to Jedda by air for the Haj, and an Egyptian pilgrim (as mentioned m
the pilgrimage section) travelled by air from Jedda to Medina and thence to
Egypt. Later, however, two English concession hunters failed to obtain
permission to come to Jedda, or to leave, by air.
Arabian Air Route.
145. See paragraph 68.
Alleged Violations of Saudi Territory by Aeroplanes.
146 On the 21st January a Royal Air Force aeroplane was forced to land
at Ras-al-Qalia, some 60 miles north-west of Bahrein. To forestall a protest the
Legation sent a note of apology to the Saudi Government, who received it amiably.
Similar action was taken in September, when two Royal Air Force machines had
to land at Ras-al-Qalia. The Saudi Government protested against an alleged
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