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Aviation History
1923
1923 - 0333.PDF
JUNE 21, 1923 AN AERIAL PAGEANT IN PALESTINE WE in England are now familiar with the thrills experienced at the splendid R.A.F. Pageants at Hendon, and though we live in an age of advanced mechanical and scientific develop- ment, these pageants always fill us with wonder at the progress made by man. What, then, must have been the feelings of those people of the East—in old-world Palestine—who witnessed one of these displays of mastery of the air ? What, if they were looking on, did the spirits of Ancient Holyland think of the proceedings ? For an Aerial Pageant, on the same scale as those held in this country, actually took place at Ramleh Aerodrome, Palestine, on May 15 last. This pageant was held in connection with the annual aerial manoeuvres of the 14th Squadron, R.A.F., and was organised by Squadron-Leader J. S. Travers Bradley, O.B.E., who was chairman of the Business Sub-Committee for the 1920 and 1921 Pageants over here. It was estimated that some seven or eight thousand people were present, special train and 'bus services being run to convey the visitors from Jerusalem, Jaffa, and surrounding districts—Ramleh being out somewhat in the " wilderness." The splendid programme of nine events was carried out promptly to time and without a hitch of any description. Many distinguished visitors were present, including His Excellency the High Commissioner and Lady Samuel, accom- panied by Mr. R. F. P. Monckton, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Edward Ellington, Officer Commanding the British Aerial Forces in the Near East; Sir Thomas and Lady Haycraft, Archdeacon and Mrs. Waddy, Judge and Mrs. Baker, Col. R. B. W. Holmes, Lieut.-Col. and .Mrs, Campigli, Col. Hudson, General Grant, the Italian Consul, the French Consul-General, and the principal Arab notables. The first event was a relay race between three teams, each consisting of an Avro, a Bristol Fighter, and a De Havilland 9 A. The Avro started off first, and flew to El Kubab and back— about 8 miles—and on landing close to their respective Bristols handed over a tally disc to the waiting observer, who climbed into his Bristol, which then started off on the same course. On the return of the Bristols the same procedure took place, and the D.H. 9A'S completed the course. It was a close race throughout, the winning team being as follows : Avro, Flight-Lieut. Salt; Bristol, F. O. Culley ; D.H. 9A, F. O. Morris. The next event was an exhibition of flying, and an aerial combat by Flying-Officers R. R. H. Bruce and J. Marsden. Both went through a variety of " aerobatics " in fine style, one machine after completing a half loop making a glide on its back for over a minute. After " stunting " around, the two -machines closed and a fierce machine-gun duel ensued ; one machine eventually being " put out of action " and compelled to land. After this a race for Bristol Fighters (14th Squadron), for a Challenge Cup presented by His Excellency the High Com- missioner, took place. The machines took off at one-minute intervals, and flew over a triangular course of about 27 miles. This also proved to be an exciting race, and after an absence of about 15 minutes the leading machine returned to the aerodrome. Flying-Officer Collingwood was originally first, with 19 mins. 40 sees., but was subsequently disqualified. First place therefore went to Flight-Lieut. Harrison (19 mins. 47 sees.), Flying-Officer Marsden being second (20 mins. 7 sees.), and Flight-Lieut. Sorley third. Then followed a " Landing on a Mark " contest, for a Challenge Cup presented by Major-General Sir Hugh Tudor, K.C.B., C.M.G. This event was open to Bristol Fighters and D.H. 9A'S, and eliminating trials had been made previously, so only the finalists competed. The machines climbed to 2,000 ft., shut off the engine and landed as near as possible to a 15-ft. circle. Two attempts were allowed. Pilot-Officer Falconer made the best attempt, landing within 9 ft. 8J ins. of the circle, and Squadron-Leader Winter made second best attempt. The next event was an interesting demonstration, showing how messages are picked up when it is not convenient to land. The message was contained in a small bag attached to a coloured streamer between two poles, and the pilot, Flying- Officer Collingwood, skilfully manoeuvred his machine so that a grapnel hanging below caught the streamer and bag as he flew over. Returning, the pilot dropped the bag near the poles, when it was picked up by a waiting attendant. Much excitement and amusement was caused by the next event, a balloon hunt, open to all types of machines, for a Challenge Cup presented by the officers of the 14th Squadron. One machine ascended at a time, and when in the air for some time a Very light was fired and three meteorological balloons were released simultaneously from different parts of the aero- drome. The object then was to " charge " and destroy all three balloons with the airscrew or any other part of the machine. This proved to be a by no means easy proposition, and the balloons eluded their attackers on many occasions. First place was obtained by Flight-Lieut. G. Martyn, who " popped " three balloons in 1 min. 1 sec. Flight-Lieuts. E. de W. Waller and J. Noakes came second and third respectively. Flight-Lieut. J. Noakes, who created somewhat of a sensa- tion at the first Aerial Pageant at Hendon, with his demon- stration of crazy flying on the everlasting Avro, then gave a repetition of this extraordinary display of aerial antics. The Palestine Aerial Derby was next flown for a Challenge Cup, presented by Wing-Commander T. O'B. Hubbard, M.C., A.F.C. This was a handicap open to all types of machines, and competitors started in their handicap order and flew round one lap of the same course as in the Bristol Fighter race. Thirteen machines lined-up for this event, starting off in close succession. After a long interval the first machines were seen returning home, and great was the speculation as to whether the favourite—a Vickers-Vimy, piloted by Flight-Lieut. Martyn—was the leading one. As it happened this turned out to be the case, the Vimy covering the course in about 25 minutes. The most spectacular event of the day was reserved for the last. In this a formation of three Bristol Fighters swooped down over an " enemy " factory—a building situated in the centre of the aerodrome—which opened a machine-gun attack on the advancing machines. These in turn replied by 333
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