Army Aviation

Early in 1912, under the presidency of the Grand Duke Alexander, the special school of the Volunteer Aerial A ociation was finally formed at Sevastopol for the winter and Gatchina for the summer. June 1912. Vote for 150 aeroplanes (140 to be built at home). Vote 1,050,000 roubles for new school at Tauride. November, 1912. Military trials results. (1) Sikorsky in a Sikorsky . (2) Haber in a M. Farman . (3) Boutmy in a Nieuport . December, 1912. Aeronautical school re-organised. Put under control of one commandant, one a istant, and four juniors. Course made seven months—15 pupils per school at a time. A one month course in aeroplanes, aerial motors, etc. Of the pupils, 10 will be selected for aeroplanes. New flying school established at Taskend in Turkestan. March, 1913. New schools established at Moscow, Ode a and Omsk. At the end of 1911 the total number of military aeroplanes was about 100. At the end of March, 1913, the total number was about 250, of which about 150 were modern. Principal types: Albatro , Aviatik , Bristol , Deperdu in , Farman , Nieuport , Rumpler , there being an average of 20 of each. The majority built under Ru ian license in Ru ia. The number of actual military pilots was 72. There is, however, a special volunteer corps of about 36 private aviators, bringing the available total to 108 or thereabouts.