FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1922
1922 - 0372.PDF
" Flight" Copyright Crazy flying by Flt.-Lieut. W. H. Longton at the R.A.F. Pageant on an Avro 504k. Type of Machine. Avro 504 Yickers Vimy Bristol Fighter S.E. 5 A. (150 Viper) .. D.H. g A. (450 Lion) D.H. 9 A. (400 Liberty) Martinsyde-Buzzard (300 Hispano) Sopwith Pup (80 Le Rhone) Westland Weasel (320 Siddeley Jaguar) Weasel (380 Bristol Jupiter) Avro-Aldershot-Condor Sopwith Snipe Pilot. F/O J. A. McDonald. F/O. A. L. A. Perry-Keene. F/O. J. W. Baker, M.C. F/O. E. R. C. Scholefield, D.C.M. F/O. H. D. O'Neill, A.F.C. F/O. C. Hallawell. F/O H. J. T. Saint, D.S.C. F/O J. S. Chick, M.C. F/O. Wallwork, M.C. F/Lt. A. H. Orlebar, A.F.C. F/O. C. E. Horrex. F/O. C. E. Maitland, D.F.C. This race also provided an exciting finish, the Avro Aldershot (650 Rolls-Royce Condor), which was making its first public appearance, crossing the line first with the two Westland Weasels only a few yards behind—the Weasel-Jaguar being only slightly ahead of the Weasel-Jupiter. The Bristol Fighter came in fourth, and the S.E. 5 A. sixth, and then followed one of the D.H. 9's, the Avro 504, the Martinsyde, Snipe and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. By this time the rain was beginning to fall in earnest, and during a short interval between events, H.R.H. The Duke of York made a tour of inspection amongst the machines, and was particularly interested in the Avro Aldershot. No. 24 Squadron (Kenley) then gave us a splendid demonstration of formation flying on Bristol Fighters. There were nine in the formation, as follows :—Sqdn. Ldr. E. H. Johnston, O.B.E. ; F/Lts. J. M. Robb, D.F.C.; F. L. Luxmore ; R. W. Chappell, M.C. ; F/Os. M. L. T. Leroy, A.F.C. ; L. Hamilton, D.F.C.! T. C. Traill, D.F.C. ; and G. S. Oddie, D.F.C. The get-away was very impressive, in V-formation, and climbing in this figure they were soon in contact with the low-lying rain clouds, which must have interfered with their evolutions con siderably. On several occasions one or more of the machines would be lost to view when the formation was changing into some new positions, yet they managed to keep together with a marvellous degree of accuracy. But the gem of the whole demonstration was at the conclusion, when they all made a simultaneous and perfect landing in V-formation. The next item was the extraordinary exhibition of " crazy " flying, by F/Lt. W.H. Longton, D.F.C., A.F.C., on a jazzified Avro. Gusty wind and driving rain by no means rendered conditions ideal for this particular kind of flying, yet Lieut. Longton seemed to be able to make the old 'bus fly in every conceivable way it should not. Most remarkable, perhaps, was the way he flew three-quarter-side-on. Meanwhile an Air Ministry " Safety " Tank (caterpillar type, not petrol) was being manoeuvred into position ready for the next event—a competition for low bombing. This was carried out by four Sopwith Snipes, piloted by F/Lt. E. L. Howard-Williams, M.C.; F/Os. H. E. Walker, M.C., D.F.C.; C. E. Maitland, D.F.C. ; and F. O. Travers, D.F.C. They had to dive down towards the Tank—which was sup posed to be temporarily disabled—and drop bombs (practice type) on the poor thing. Each pilot was allowed three shots. With the exception of one bomb, which burst immediately at the stern of the Tank, the bombs all fell several yards away, and appeared to the onlookers as just a trifle wide. As a matter of fact, however, it should be noted that had they been "live" bombs, they fell sufficiently close to do con siderable damage. This was quite an interesting event, and well worth elaborating for future occasions. Result: F/O. Travers, 1st; F/Lt. Howard-Williams, 2nd. It was now just on five o'clock, the rain was settling down " Flight" Copyright THE 'VAVRO " ALDERSHOT AT THE R.A.F. PAGEANT : This machine—illustrated in the last issue of " Flight "—is the latest " Hush-hush " production, and is fitted with a 650 h.p. Rolls-Royce " Condor." It won the Handicap Race, event No. 5. 372
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
