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Aviation History
1925
1925 - 0413.PDF
JULY 2, 1925 11 FLIGHT 8 dived from all directions in rapid succession, with apparentlyenly a few yards separating each machine. They droppedtheir bombs from about 50 ft. without the use pf bomb sights,and nearly every time obtained a direct hit. Another demonstration followed, by the winners and runnersup of a competition, this time in Flight Evolutions, for a Challenge Cup presented by Capt. the Hon. F. E. Guest.This demonstration showed the various evolutions carried out in attacking a single hostile machine or a formation, and thedemonstrators were three " Siskins " from No. 41, and three " Grebes " from No. 32 Fighter Squadrons : two BristolFighters from No. 24 Communication Squadron representing the enemy aircraft. It was an extremely interesting display,especially to those having a knowledge of air fighting. Whilst waiting to attack the " enemy " the six smaller machines flewaround in very close formation—seemingly a few feet apart. An unexpected event came next. Three " Fawns " As on previous occasions, the afternoon's proceedingswere brought to a conc'usion by a spectacular " set piece." Just beyond the centre of the aerodrome could be seen thefunnels, masts, etc., of a cruiser (constructed mainly of scrap aircraft material), partly hidden by palms, oojars and othertropical plants. It was supposed to represent an enemy cruiser, the last of the commerce raiders, which had takenrefuge up a tropical river, in fancied security. At the moment all was peaceful, and sundry commerce ships were observedsailing to and fro, calling at the port for the empties. Then a Supermarine " Seagull " amphibian came along overheadand " spotted " the cruiser, which promptly opened a heavy fire with her " anties." Strange to say, all her shells burstjust a little below and behind the " Seagull." In answer to the latter's S.O.S. five Fairey " Flycatcher " Fleet Fightersflew forward firing frantically at Fritz. This apparently somcwhat silenced the " anties " and the " Seagull " and AT THE R.A.F. DISPLAY : The latest Hush-hush machine, the Orva " May-fly," leaving the Amusement Park at Hendon. Note the 6-in. gun, Carrot accelerator, and wireless clothes-line. Afternoon tea is provided by the kettle seen on the exhaust manifold from the " A.B.C. Lion." suddenly came in over the aerodrome, and as we watched them pass, a figure was seen to climb over the side of each machine, and to everyone's alarm, jump overboard. They had not fallen far, however, when from each figure a white parachute opened out, as if by magic, changing a rapid head- long fall into a graceful descent. This was the first public demonstration of the new parachute equipment which is being issued to the R.A.F. " Flycatchers " went off and reported matters to H.Q. Aftera short interval a fleet of heavy bombers, consisting of three Avro " Aldershots," and nine Vickers " Virginias," arrivedon the scene from a base conveniently situated close at hand, and with a few Oh very direct hits put an end to the cruiser'snasty bad habits. And so ended the Sixth R.A.F. Display— some 120 machines taking part, without one single hitch oraccident of any description ! 413 .«*•::
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