ROYAL AIR FORCE IN INDIA.

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Register of Aerodromes and Landing Grounds in India. First edition, marked "For Official Use Only" and covering 106 locations. In the year of publication, the RAF's strength in India finally reached eight squadrons, the level recommended by Air Vice Marshal Sir John Salmond's influential 1922 report.Commissioned on the instructions of Air Vice Marshal Hugh Trenchard, Salmond's review found that the RAF in India "was to all intents and purposes nonexistent as a fighting force." Increased funding, and the operational opportunities offered by the 1925 Waziristan Campaign, enabled a significant expansion in aviation infrastructure and increased recruitment of pilots. The progress seen in the 1920s laid a foundation for the formation of the Indian Air Force in 1932.The largest section provides, in tabular form, information on several dozen locations, giving their type, dimensions, position, surface, slope, prevailing wind, altitude, air approaches, local military authority, and repair station, as well as a rough sketch and their grid reference on the folding map in the end pocket. The text also notes the presence or absence of a petrol shed, a "chowkidar" attendant, medical and onward transportation facilities, and accommodation and food. Other chapters list aerial and military routes in India, discuss the selection, marking, inspection, and maintenance of landing grounds, detail prohibited flying areas, and describe the correct use of the landing T.

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