DCA Monthly Circulars - 1944


DCA Monthly Circulars were instituted in September 1940 as a means of communicating information throughout the by now far-flung branches of the Department. The Monthly Circulars were continued until December 1950 when they were replaced by Administrative Instructions.

These indexes list noteworthy entries only - minor administrative matters are not listed.


Circular No.41 January 1944

Tasman Air Service
Annual statistics for previous year on trans Tasman service

Colombian - U.S. agreement
Establishment of U.S. Sea and Air bases in Colombia

Australia's Atlantic Air Record
Non-stop flight by Liberator (Capt Richard Allen) Montreal - U.K. 3,100 SM. in 11Hrs 35 Min.

Tomorrow's Giant Airlines
Prediction of the influence of air transport requirements on urban infrastructure.

The Field Gun has Wings
Description of the fitting of a 75mm gun in the Mitchell Bomber. Also a more general discussion of the increase of weight or gunfire in modern aircraft.

U.S.A. Develops Airlines in Pacific
Progress being made by the U.S.A. in the development of Pacific airlines and the implications for post-war operations.

The Bomber : Our best weapon
Discussion of the make-up of a Bomber crew and the team work required.

"15 roomed house" that can fly
Descriptions of the operation of a Mars flying boat - the largest aircraft in the world.

Air Photographs
Use of vertical photographs for many purposes besides war related activities

World Plan for Flying Doctor
Suggestion made to Federal Council of Flying Doctor Service.

New Airport for New York
Description of the future Idlewild airport.

To the Middle Group of Civil Aviation: - A.B. Corbett DGCA
Letter to middle management group, encouraging them to prepare themselves for higher office and the challenges of post war aviation.


Circular No.42 February 1944

Service Aircraft in the Sea
Rescue of the crew of a ditched aircraft. Description of the fixing of the aircraft's position by means of radio cross bearings from Cooktown and Port Moresby.

Tangent Runways
Suggested pattern for new Idlewild airport.

Air History is being made
Description of the trans - Pacific air operations using Douglas C54 Skymasters.

Plane with no Propellers
First flights of Jet aircraft and a brief description of the principle of operation of a jet engine.

Air Transport for London
A look ahead at the possible airport requirements for London.

Shipping lines forming Air Company
Five British shipping Lines to form a company to provide air transport between Britain, the continent and South America.


Circular No.43 March 1944

The new Director General
An introduction to the new DG - Mr D McVey. Written by A.B. Corbett DGCA

Protective Clothing
Establishment of a policy to issue protective clothing to various categories of staff and a table of entitlement.

Air Freight
Statistics regarding the carriage of air freight by several countries.

Mustang with Packard built engine
Description

Britain packed with airfields
The proliferation and increasing size of airfields in Britain.

Service advancement
Suggestion by an Aeradio Operator that the department assist with the professional studies of outstation staff by the introduction of a correspondence course. This course to cover aviation and administrative disciplines and be credited to the person's staff record.

Flying Doctor Service
Statistics, and the introduction of the service to Victoria.


Circular No.44 April 1944

Tyre Conservation
Very comprehensive circular on the specification, use and care of all tyre types used in the department.

Post - War Air Transport
Press conference given by Lord Knollys, chairman of BOAC, on the shape of Intercontinental air transport after the war. Choice between Shortest journey (2 days) between Australia and England and More leisurely trip (5 days) stopping nights en-route.

500 pound Prize for Airport design
The aircraft journal "The Aeroplane" offers a £500 St prize to the designer of the best layout of an international airport for London. Competition open to all members of the Commonwealth.


Circular No.45 May 1944

The case for the Flying Boat
Importance of Marine Aircraft to the British Empire and the danger that development programme may overlook it.

Application for Helicopter routes
The Greyhound Corporation of Chicago applies for 78 helicopter routes.

Record Flight
Lockheed Constellation Crosses the USA in under 7 hours at an average speed of 380mph.

The function of the Administrator
The aim and practice of administration, and related matters and attitudes.


Circular No.46 June 1944

Compensation for Injuries on Duty
Detailed information on new Act of Parliament specifying compensation parameters and amounts payable for particular injuries (table).

Idlewild - An Airport of Tomorrow
Currently a sandy plain Idlewild will be six times bigger than La Guardia. A description of the size scope and type of facilities projected for the new Airport.

Airport design
Points against tangent runways.

Record flights by Mosquito Aircraft
London - Moscow in 4.5 hrs flying time.
Transatlantic flight between Canada - UK 2200 statute miles in 6hrs 46 min.


Circular No.47 July 1944

A Pioneer British Invention
History of the Diesel engine developed by Dr Diesel and the high-speed oil engine developed by Ackroyd Stuart in the UK. This engine has developed into the most universally used oil engine today.

The B29 Superfortress
Type description

Are you a Bureaucrat?
The relationship between Civil Service and Business in Wartime is mutually beneficial. The difference between a Civil Servant and a Bureaucrat results from the concentration of power in the hands of public appointees, who are the Bureaucrats.

Flying Doctor Service
Statistics for 1943.


Circular No.48 August 1944

Good-Bye – A.B. Corbett
Message from retiring DGCA

Series Airport Lighting
New system of connecting lighting in series and the hazards associated with this.

Electric Shock
The symptoms and effects of various levels of electric shock on the human body. High voltage systems are becoming much more common around airports.

Airports Broadcast
Radio broadcast by C.M. Newton, Chairman of the Aerodrome Owners Association, contrasting American Airports with those in Gt. Britain.

Pathfinder’s superb record
A Description of the Bomber Command Pathfinder force and its effectiveness. Mention of Air Vice Marshal D.C.T. Bennett (Australian).

The Right way to Train
A description of the training effort brought on by the war and the pitfalls on incorrect instruction technique.

Discovery of the source of the Orinoco river
Discovery flight by US Army pilots establishes accurate position for the source of the Orinoco in a gorge in the jungle separating Venezuela and Brazil.

Airport for Johannesburg
New major international airport being considered.

BOAC's First York Aircraft
Proving flight to West Africa and back.

Non-stop flight Washington to London
First non-stop flight by Douglas C54 took 18Hrs to fly 3,800 sm.


Circular No.49 September 1944

Message from the Director-General – D.McVey
Inaugural message.

Northern Flying Boat Bases
Staff vacancies resulting from the resumption of Departmental control of the bases at Karumba and Groote Eylandt.

Indian Ocean Air Service
A Description of the Western Australia – Ceylon Air route, given in an interview with Hudson Fysh Managing Director of QANTAS Empire Airways.

Post War Aviation
An overview of the possible Post-War developments that could lead to a one day Air Service between the USA and Australia.

Britain’s War-Time Achievements
How Britain changed over to a wartime economy and production system. The influence of improvements in efficiency and the introduction of new weapons.

Steel Highway
The use of interlocking steel planks to create roads and hard standings.


Circular No.50 October 1944

Jackson’s
A detailed description of air operations from New Guinea’s primary airport.

Flying Doctor Service, Forbes NSW
The establishment of an Air Ambulance service in western NSW

Versatility of the De Havilland Mosquito
New information on the fighter-bomber version.

Surplus planes in the USA : weekly auctions
The release of surplus military aircraft to the civilian market.

Facts and figures of Australia at War – Civil Aviation
Description and statistics of operations and a table of airway facilities.

Acquisition of Douglas C-47 Aircraft
The Department has acquired 12 C-47 aircraft, which will be re-conditioned and converted for use on the civil air routes in Australia. Includes a description of the conversion work that is necessary.

Across the Continent Overnight
A description of a non-stop direct overnight flight, in a Liberator aircraft , from Perth to Brisbane direct. The distance of 2,300 sm was covered in 10hrs 30min with 11hrs 30min fuel remaining!


Circular No.51 November 1944

Harvest of Forced Progress – Sqn Ldr A.C. Purthrey
A Pamphlet describing how the accelerated progress, in many aviation related fields, due to the war will benefit peace – time aviation and travel, not just in the UK

Australian Regular Air Transport Services
Statistics for the three years ending 30th June 1944.

British Civil Air Control
Note of the appointment of a Minister for Civil Aviation (Lord Swinton). This will facilitate the development of civil aviation after the war, although for the present the Air Ministry continues to control aviation day to day.

Aircraft Landing Facilities in Australia
Statistics as at 30th Sept 1944

Air Mapping
The Premier of Victoria (Mr. Dunstan) announces the establishment of a scientific Survey Branch for Air Photography. The product of this unit will be used by many State Instrumentalities where Photo-mapping is of value. The whole of Victoria will be surveyed by this means.

Planes for Police
Commissioners of Police, in conference at Adelaide, agreed that after the war police forces should have their own aircraft to use in the combating of crime.

Bell Helicopters
Description of the latest Helicopter design.

Cattle by Air
A description of the pioneering system of air transport of cattle to Burma in Australian military aircraft.

North-West Air Route
The operations of MacRobertson-Miller Aviation Company in NW Australia over the last ten years.

Silicone
The introduction of Silicone as an insulating varnish in electrical machinery enables weight reductions of up to 50%


Circular No.52 December 1944

Fire Precautions at Aerodromes and Flying Boat Bases
A recent costly fire Focuses attention on promulgated Fire Instructions – which are reproduced here.

Notes on Termite Damage in the Northern Territory
A description of the habits of Termites and the damage they cause. Some precautions to combat the menace are indicated.

New System of Electrical wiring
A major improvement in the design and layout of aircraft electrical systems is made possible by the adoption of a modular connection system with plug-in leads.

Post-War Aviation in the USA
Proceedings of a Senate War contracts committee in relation to post-war aviation programmes.

Spitfire Mk XII
Type Description

Indian Ocean Service
Record Flight during which a QANTAS Liberator flew 3,600 sm from Ceylon to Perth in 17Hrs 30min at an average speed of more than 200mph.

Super-Fortress Costs
Production models of the B29 cost $600,000 each as opposed to $3,392,396 for the prototype.

Cheap Air Tramp Freighters
Description of the Bristol Freighter.

Convair Model 39 Commercial Transport
Type description.

Atlantic Air Service
Current Status of services on the trans-Atlantic route.


Index compiled by Brian Surtees, CAHS

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