مجموعة ٥/٧٣ "سلاح الجو الأفغاني: تقارير" [ظ‎‎٣‎٤] (٤٣١/٦٨)

The only source for spares now available is material
salvaged from aircraft which have been written off
ais unserviceable, except when, as in the recent
case of the 24 propellers, the quantity is sufficient
at last placed a firm order in the Spring of this year
for eight of these aircraft for elementary training
purposes, remission was obtained from the Mr Ministry
and the aircraft were flown out to Kabul from India; one
unfortunately crashed en route but is being repaired.
To this may be added in the course of the next
twelve months:-
( c ) 12 Avro XIX*s .
These are to serve partly as replacements
for the Hinds and partly as light transport aircraft.
A firm order is to be placed with the manufacturers
as soon as the Ministry of Supply can afford the
necessary priorities.
( d ) 12 Spitfire Vlirs .
(Not Hurricanes as stated in the Report).
A sample is to be flown up to Kabul when the
Mr Ministry have given permission. Apparently there
is at present a ruling in force cate gorically fo:
the transfer of aircraft from India^' If the sami
proves satisfactory the Afghams intend to purcha;
secondhand machines of this type from stocks in India*
The spares position is being investigated. Presumably
the Spitfires are required to supplement the Avro’s in
replacing the Hinds of which there were originally 28 *
Equipment . Apart from the iiind propellers, and a
long list of other Hind spares^ very little of which could
be met, requests have been directed to India. The most
important is the firm order for supply dropping equipment,
which was strongly recommended by Wing-Commander Taylor,
then RIAELO at this Office, last February in preference
to the purchase of new aircraft for Army co-operation
purposes.
British Instructors with the Afghan Mr Force . Ml
the Instructors are now officers and N.C.O^ on secondment
from the R.A.F., and the problem of discipline presented
by the former civilian Instructors has disappeared. Wing-
Commander King, the Pilot Instructor, arrived in Kabul
in 1943; Warrant Officer Blyth, Titter and Rigger Instructor,
has been there for about a year, and Warrant Officer Waterhouse,
Engineer Instructor, took up his duties in April last. The
esteem in which their services are held is indicated by the
Afghans request for a year’s loan of two further R.A.F.
Warrant Officers for instruction in Wireless Telegraphy and
Storekeeping. Mr Ministry permission has been granted
and it is expected that the two Instructors will reach
Kabul shortly. A short course in Wireless Instruction
was given to selected Afghan Officers by a Royal Signals
N.C.O. in December 1945 - January 1946.
to justify a special order for manufacture. Ten out
of these 24 propellers have already been despatched
by air.
(b) 7 Tiger M oths.
After prolonged hesitation, the Afghan Government
Training . A tentative request has been lodged with
the Government of India for facilities for advanced training
of/