CO537-(1262-1649) — Page 713

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Ref.:

CO 537/1427

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

2

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet.

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

00 197

Undoubtedly the wind will tend to be canalised down this valley, which will, therefore, tend to keep clear of fog, but for heavy aircraft it is an unpleasant approach, though perfectly opurable judged by operational standards, but not by Civil Aviation standards for which it is entirely unsuitable for really heavy aircraft. In strong Easterly or South storly winds, considerable turbulance can be expected. Doup Bry hus i completely open SW approach over the sea for many miles throughout the 150 funnel, though there are high hills outside the 150 funnel to the South. Ping Shan lies on more or less level paddy field ground und the cost of construction is more or less directly proportional to the length requireů. at Deup Buy the main cost is the removal of hill in the SW. At both places a strip of 3300 yards could be made with gradients of 1 in 200, or better. The initial cost, therefore, for a runway of 2250 yards is high, but further extension would be comparatively cheap and would create no further troubles. It is simply a question whether this improved approach from the SW is worth the time and money. In my opinion, and in the unanimous opinion of the mission, it definitely is worth it, but we are unable to comment as to whether the extra time can be

It accepted and whether the extra money can be provided. seems to amount to this, that Civil Aviation will not contribute any proportion of the cost towards Ping Shan, but they would be prepared to contribute towards Deep Báy. From the defence point of view Ping Shan is slightly preferable, but the G.0.C. was prepared to accept the extra distance of 2 miles without any request for additional troops. medical authorities say that at Ping Shan they would expect a malarial incidence of something like 10 per 1000, while at Deep Buy they could practically guarantee complete immunity, with only 30% of the anti-malarial pursonnel required for Ping Shan. This Deep Bay site affords an ideal building site, open to breezes from both M and SW; while at Ping Shan any building aron will neceu.rily by in á valley and rather shut in and hot. On the Civil affairs sice it was stated that had we origin lly gone to Duop Bay they would have far preferred it, but tht the chug Will er te considerable difficulties, particularly to the villges affected by the Ping Shan site happen to be quite the worst ones to deal with in the whole of the new territory, but that even accepting

11 these difficulties they would still be slightly in favour of the Doop By site.

The

5. Rond Succubs to both situs is poor. The road out from Kowloon is cut out of the hills and more or less follows the shord. It could be widened to make it a fast rond, but the expense would be considerable. An alternative artérial road in anything like direct line seems to be a very

In addition to which it diffi ult engineering proposition. would probably have to go to about the 500' above sea level mark, where it would tend to be in cloud for parts of the your, and this would cause most unpleasant driving on the mountain rond. The Deep Bay site will require the construction of a new uccuss rod of between 2 and 3 miles long, while the Ping Sham site would require & diversion of the existing main roud of. about 2 miles, 30 that there is not much in it from that point of view.

6. I think that there is no doubt that if Ping 3han is constructed, Civil aviation would use it for a time with medium sized nircraft, but they state definitely that they could never use it to the ir centre for main line big aircraft on scheduled services, hut that they would be prepared to operate such servicus from Deep Bay.

-6-

Cma

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Ins

Ref.:

CO 537/1427 restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

leaflet.