In the month of Ordibehesht the newspaper “Iran” reported the first flight of Iranians in the skies of Tehran; these were Prince Mohammad Hossein Mirza, Colonel Rezaghili Khan and Shumbanski the Russian Minister of Defence. Although details of the type of aircraft have not been recorded, it is known that after its visit to Tehran it flew to Russia. Mr. Atrvash suggests that it might be a Junkers machine. <Atrvash> [The Government Printing Office published two gazettes – “Ettéla’át” (Information), listing new appointments, and “Iran”, summarising official views. Both tried to substitute Persian for Arabic terms.] On 24th May 1922 Lt. Col. Broome (photographer), Maj. W.T. Blake, Capt. Norman MacMillan left Croydon in a De Havilland 9 to fly round the world via the East. They reached Paris the same day and on the 25th left for Lyons, where bad weather detained them until the 28th when they left for Marseilles. However on landing the undercarriage was smashed and they were delayed until June 24th when they resumed their flight in a new De Havilland 9, with Capt. Geoffrey Malins now serving as photographer. They reached Pisa and Naples the same day; Corfu on July 2nd; Athens on the 4th; and Alexandria on the 7th. Ramleh was reached on July 11th; Bushire on the 17th; and Bandar Abbas on the 18th, having been delayed by engine trouble. They left Bandar Abbas on July 19th. At Chahbar four cards or letter were taken on board for delivery in India. This was the only mail carried. At 1500 on July 19th they reached Manora (off Karachi) where the mail was posted (and postmarked Manora 20 Jul 22 1230 pm). On reaching Calcutta, the engine failed and the aeroplane was sold. The flight resumed on 19th August in a Fairey III seaplane, but ended when it crashed at Lukhidi Char in the Bay of Bengal. Extracts from Confidential Summary of news received by His Majesty’s Political Residency in the Persian Gulf: “Major Blake, who is flying round the world, arrived at Bushire at about 9-30 A. M. on the 17th July and left about 3-0 p.m. for Bandar Abbas. Owing to an hour’s delay in getting off from Bushire, which could well have been avoided, they had to land at Bustana some 18 miles short of Bandar Abbas, where they spent the night proceeding to Bandar Abbas the following morning. Considerable anxiety was felt at the time regarding their safety as there was no wireless set on the machine and they were completely out of touch until they arrived at Bandar Abbas.” “Major Blake, and Captains Macmilan and Malins were expected to arrive at Bandar Abbas the evening of the 17th July. The Deputy Governor, Karguzar and nearly all the population came to the Consulate to witness their arrival. The party were, however, unable to reach Bandar Abbas before night fall, and landed at Bostana, 18 miles west by south of Bandar Abbas on the coast at 7-30 p.m. They were met by Persian Customs Mudir and villagers and sent two messengers in to His Majesty’s Consul, asking for food and water and a guard for the aeroplane. The messengers did not, however, arrive until the following day. At the request of His Majesty’s Consul, the Deputy Governor sent 2 sowars along the coast from Bandar Abbas but they did not find the party. After spending the night without food and water, and watching by turns over the machine, the party started before dawn and arrived at Bandar Abbas at 5-15 after about 20 minutes in the air. They started from Charbar at 2-0 p.m., but burst a tire running across the aerodrome and did not actually leave till 3 p.m. News was received of their safe arrival at Charbar about 7 p.m.” File 1749/1921 ‘Persian Gulf:- Residency news summaries 1921-25’ [143r] (300/494) | Qatar Digital Library (qdl.qa) Although as yet there was no regular airmail within Persia, the British Royal Air Force carried mail regularly between Baghdad and Cairo. The newspaper “Iran” reported that the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs intends to provide the means to establish an air post within Iran. The intention is to provide two services; one from the centre to the Iraqi border, and another from the centre to Azerbaijan; both services to operate three flights per week. The cost of air mail will not be much greater than ordinary mail. An aeroplane and all its accessories can be purchased for five thousand tomans, although the
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