مجموعة ٥/٧٣ "سلاح الجو الأفغاني: تقارير" [و‎‎١‎٠‎٨] (٤٣١/٢١٥)

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G3HEHAL
HSPCRT OI'T THE A?GiiA.H’ AIR ?OHCS FOH TH3 PERIOD
1st MAY to the 31st Jl!LY.' 1943 ^ T
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The Air Force nas shown its usual seasonal activity"during
^ quarter under^ review, and the Air COiimiandant F.M. Muhd Ihsan Khan
^(W, r; r*3.63), since his return from leave in India in Ivlarch, has continued
o show initiative and energy in his efforts to improve the efficiency
.of the Air Force. The Commandant,: who was largely responsible for
the request made by the Afghan Government in March for the supply of
more -second-hand Kind aircraft from Great Britain, is beginning to
show anxiety as^to whether these additional aircraft can be supplied.
Other officers in the Afghan nir‘Force who apparently know that this
request was made, have been sounding the British instructors regarding
the prospects of tneir obtaining these additional aircraft from Great
Britain. The Afghan Chief of the General Staff has also made enquiries
from tne Military Attache’ during tne past two months as to whatner
a reply has been received from His Kaj-sty’s Government on this
it woula appear that there is a general desire in the Air Force to
^increase the number of serviceable aircraft available, to about 36,
and a vague nope tnat should tne supply of- second-hand Hind aircraft
not materialize
subject*
Ip
another type of aircraft with a similar or improved
rformance YJill be supplied*
Tne number of serviceable Hind aircraft capable of being used for
internal security operations at present is only 21, as 5 Hind aircraft
are in the workshops for repairs, and the.'i’sw • remaining serviceable
Italian Romeo airera
cannot tako off ^
altitudes•
ft
are unfi o f or • us,e for tnis purpose because
tn a full war load from airfields with high
ne Commandant and his officers still desire to scrap
the Italian Romeo aircraft, but wall repair and utilize them where
possible.
they
(b) At the end of June it was found that stocks of aviation
petrol on the Sherpur airfield had been rsduced by some 2000 gallons
owing to the increased flying training facilities authorised in April.
The Commandant therefore issued orders curtailing flying training from
S to 2 hours per pilot per month in order to recover the extra
expenditure and build up the reserve of petrol to its former level.
Practice in formation flying for the Independence Day Review to be
held at the end of August began tally in July, and it is anticipated
that 21 Hind and 7 Romeo aircraft will be available for the occasion.
' (c) ^ S/L 3.D. Y/igginton, R.A.F., is still responsible for all
f flying training carried out, and reports mat there is an increased
tendency to rely on him for advice on all matters concerning the.Air
Force* On occasions he has also been placed in actual cnarge of
I Squadr ons •
(d) The nind spares position has improved owing to the arrival
from India of items urgently requirta, but a shortage of metal tubing
. for the fusilage is holding up the repairs of 5 Hind aircraft.
(e) Eighteen aviation students have joined tire Training Flight
for practical trainin 0 during the quarter. 9 of these-are being
trained as pilots under the British, piloh instructor, and 9 are being
trained as mechanics • •
The Commandant of the Air Force on the advice of the British pilot
instructor proposes to recommend that some 5 or 6 pilots, who on
account of age or general inefficiency, are no longer fit to carry out
the duties of pilots, be given administrative employment. They will
eventua3.1y be replaced as pilots by the S students now with the
Training Flight.
* (f) The Stcarman trainer aircraft presented to the Afghan Govt.
; by the Government of the United Soates’ has not created a good impress
ion in Air Force circles. This type of aircraft suffers from the
same disadvantages as the Italian Romeo in that it is unsuitable for
operations or training on account of the difficulty of taking off from-
*small airfields with a high altitude. f f
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