The Origins of Airmail in China & Hong Kong 1919-1922

Provisional Starting and Landing Places - Aeroplanes. SHANHGAI The ground enclosed by the race course at Kiangwan has been used on former occasions: recently by the Italian airmen on the Rome-Tokio flight. So far no mishaps have occurred. It would no doubt be possible to convert this land, which is in the form of an almost circular ellipse, into an excellent aerodrome without much trouble or expense. It lies about eight miles North from the centre of Shanghai and is connected to that town by an excellent road. It is, however, already occupied by a golf course owned by the Shanghai Golf Club and it is extremely unlikely that it could be diverted for development into a permanent aerodrome. The Central Garage Co., a British firm, is in negotiation for land half-way between Shanghai and Woosung well adapted for use as a starting and landing place for aeroplanes. The Hungjao Golf Club, about five miles West from the centre of Shanghai, the ground enclosed by the Race Club, in the centre of town, and the grounds of the French Club to the South of the International Settlement, would, if available, be suitable as provisional starting and landing places for aeroplanes. They are, however, at present fully occupied by golf, tennis and other clubs and are unlikely to be available for any other purpose. There are no other places in or near Shanghai suitable in their present condition - the surrounding country though perfectly flat is a network of creeks, ditches, graves, trees and other inequalities. NEWCHWANG A landing place for the aeroplanes engaged in the Rome-Tokio flights has been prepared at Koupangtzu on the Peking-Mukden Railway. H.M. Consul at Newchwang hopes to visit the site if possible and will then report more fully. The country is flat but too rough for motor cars and notice would be necessary before a landing-place could be prepared. NANKING The only possible starting and landing place for aeroplanes would be the parade ground in the east of the city. It is not, however, surrounded by open country nor is it easy of access by a good road.

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