The Twentieth Louis Blériot Memorial Lecture held jointly by the Society and the Association Française Ingenieurs et Techniciens de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace (AFITAE) was given in London on 13th April by Monsieur Henri Deplante, Technical Director, Avions Marcel Dassault, on “Four Combat Aircraft Concepts”.

The Chair was taken by Mr. A. D. Baxter, MEng, CEng, FRAeS, President of the Society. After welcoming French colleagues, especially Monsieur Jules Jarry, President d’Honneur of AFITAE, and several former Louis Blériot lecturers, Mr. Baxter said that Louis Btériot, one of France’s great aviation pioneers, had made the first practical link in aeronautics between their two countries; by the institution of this lecture they had initiated new technical links and provided inspiration on both sides of the Channel—he thought that inspiration had led to an industrial co-operation which they hoped would continue and extend to their mutual advantage.

Introducing the lecturer, die President said that Monsieur Henri Deplante, who was now Technical Director of Avions Marcel Dassault, had been connected with aeronautical engineering since 1930 when he had joined the then Avions Marcel Bloch.

Monsieur Deplante had served with the Free French Forces during the War; he was a member of the first Parachute Brigade in the Special Air Services and had been awarded the DSO. After the War he had helped to revive the French Aircraft Industry and the list of new aircraft which Dassault had designed in this post-war period was, he thought, evidence of his ability and success in that direction. Monsieur Deplante had lectured to four of the Society’s Branches since 1963 and they were delighted to have him as the 20th Louis Blériot Lecturer.