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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0986.PDF
[/tlGHT DECEMBER 3, 1915. Two of the "old-timers," whose names will be familiar to most readers of " FLIGHT " from the days of air racing, when both were associated with the Grahame-White Aviation Co., were among the many visitors to Hendon on Saturday last. Both have, since the outbreak of war, been getting in good work in the services of their country. R. H. Carr, Second Lieutenant, R.F.C., who took part in so many of the great aviation events of 1914, is, perhaps, best known for his skilful handling of the little Grahame-White biplane, which was affectionately given the nickname of "Lizzie," and on' which he used to execute some magnificent loops in the days before more serious work was demanded of him. Carr has been out at the front for the better part of the war, and has made good right through, so that he has earned, through sheer merit, promotion to Second Lieutenant. His call in at Hendon was a pleasant surprise for most of the folk around, who did not know but that he was still hard at " over there" bowling Boches. I understand that by way of a " rest " he has now got on to instruction work at one of our military schools. Useful as he has been on active service, he should be equally as valuable in his present capacity, since he has at least one great asset not possessed by every flying school instructor—what he does not know about the Gnome engine and its peculiarities is not worth troubling about. One might venture to suggest that a great deal of good could be evolved if he were given the job of explaining the work ings of the Gnome—call it lecturing if you like, although I do not think that Carr would fancy that title—to batches of mechanics who could not help but derive lasting benefit from his years of experience with this rotary. XXX The second visitor who " happened" Hendon way was F. G. Dunn, Second Lieut., R.F.C., who, like Carr, was connected with the Grahame-White firm before the war. Dunn has during the time he has been out at the front flown almost every type of machine in use, and has therefore acquired a fund of valuable experience which should without doubt stand him in good stead in his present capacity of tester at Farnborough. That he has not been twiddling his thumbs all the time while in France is evident, for I hear that he has spent some thing like 800 hours in the air, some of which probably have, indeed must have, been in pretty sporty weather, so that he is getting fairly well seasoned by now. Dunn, by the way, makes the second Grahame-White pilot and the third Hendon pilot to be engaged on testing machines at Farnborough. First there was Norman Spratt, now captain in the R.F.C., who is, as related in "Eddies" some time ago, a prisoner with the Germans. Capt. Spratt was, it may be remembered, first connected with the Two views of one of the kite balloons which are doing such good service for the Allies at the front 950
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