Formosan Crisis Last week we recorded the sudden increase in tension in the waters off the east coast of China following the expressed intension of the Peking Government to annex the various islands garrisoned by the Nationalists. During the past week the U.S. Seventh Fleet has been active in the Straits of Formosa, and at the time of going to press was engaged in covering the withdrawal of at least 20,000 persons - principally troops - from the Tachens, a group of islands about 200 miles north of Formosa admitted to be abandoned by Chiang Kai-Shek.
Lebensraum Passengers flying into London Airport can now begin to get a good idea of the picture this immense undertaking will present when completed. Enormous servicing bases for the two Corporations stand out on the south side, countless smaller buildings serve the airlines and contractors, and the new central terminal - tunnel-fed and, externally, two-thirds finished - dominates the whole, with its runways and taxi tracks stretching in every direction. Certainly this is an airport of which to be proud; the international airlines are indeed well catered for.
Production Vulcan? An Avro Vulcan, serial-numbered XA889 and having a silver finish, was seen flying from Woodford on February 4th. Although the makers have nothing to say on the matter, it may confidently be assumed that XA889 is the first production Vulcan, the two prototypes being numbered VX770 and VX777 and wholly finished in white.
Helicopter in N.Z. New Zealanders are soon to have their first sight of a helicopter in operation. Mr. O. G. James, of Helicopter Services Ltd., Hamilton, has secured Government permission to use a Hillier 12B for general commercial work.
Sales Talk Three weeks ago the Jordan Government announced that it intended to develop an air arm and was approaching Great Britain with a view to securing aircraft. Last week Jordan Radio reported that the Italian Minister in Amman had informed Jordan's Defence minister that Italy was in a position to supply all the aircraft needed. The Italian offer, said the report, was being studied.
Source: Flight International
