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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0180.PDF
MARCH 18, 1926 the only object in the cockpit that is taboo being the pupil'sthrottle control, from which one studiously keeps away. Suddenly Maj. Cochran-Patrick turns out of his p!ace inthe formation, hitherto carefully maintained, and heads ior " Broad's bunch." The revolutions indicator creeps up toover 1,800, and the air-speed indicator shows rather better than 90 m.p.h. One wonders what is up. The air seems tobe full of machines, all looking " deaitchy " but not near enough to be definitely identified. For a fleeting momentone has the impression that one of the D.H.'s has a radial engine, but then the silhouette changes and it is impossibleto^be certain. Failing to catch up with Broad, we return to our own formation, this time on the left flank, and all themachines make for home, our " Moths " bringing up the rear. Biggin Hill is passed, and soon we are back at Croydon,only to find that Cobham's machine is already standing on the ground, surrounded by thousands of people. After alighting, it is discovered that Maj. Cochran-Patrick What they had done, Cobham said, was nothing heroic.The success of the flight was mainly due to good organisation. He gave most of the credit to his engineer, Mr. Elliott, whosetask it had been to look after the engine and machine and see to it that they were in perfect order when wanted. Forhis own share he claimed no kudos, and said that the many pilots surrounding him could all have done as well as he had,given the opportunity. Then followed another struggle to get from the customs-house to the Trust House Restaurant.. At last a way was cleared, and Cobham and his companions disappeared " behindthe scenes." In an inner room a few friends had gathered together, apparently under the chairmanship of Mr. HandleyPage, and Cobham and his companions were toasted in a suitable beverage. Sir Charles Wakefield in a short speech thanked Cobhamfor what he had done, and for the splendid example which he had set for others to follow. Sir Samuel Instone proposed LONDON-CAPE TOWN-LONDON : Some " snaps " taken by A. B. Elliott (the engineer of theJparty) on the outward journey. (1) The arrival at Malakal, Sudan. (2) A native helps to fill up with fuel.^ (3) An aerial view of the Sennar Dam recently opened to irrigate 1,000,000 acres of desert. did see Cobham's machine, and that his breaking away from the formation was done in an endeavour to catch Broad and signal to him the fact that Cobham had arrived over Sevenoaks. Our " Moth " was not, however, able to overtake Broad's machine, and so the little squadron was unable to get back to Croydon in time to comply with the blackboard sign exhibited before the start, which intimated that " escorts should land first." At Croydon there was a great to do. When Cobham landed the crowd broke through the barriers, the few policemen being unable to restrain them, and surged over the aerodrome in an endeavour to get a good view of Cobham and his companions. For a time it began to look serious, and the famous fliers were nearly mobbed. Ultimately, however, the police and others succeeded in getting the aviators through to the customs-house, whence, after a brief breathing spell, Cobham emerged, to the great delight of the multitude. Sir Philip Sassoon, Under-Secretary of State for Air, made a brief speech of welcome on behalf of the Air Ministry, to which Mr. Cobham replied in an'equally brief speech. the toast of Mr. Elliott, who, he was glad to say was an old Instone Air Line man, and finally the health of Mrs. Cobham was drunk, Mr. Cobham exclaiming " Yes, to Mrs. Cobham for letting me go." It might have been thought that this would finish Cohham's day ; but not a bit of it. After a few minutes' stay in the Trust House he and Elliott embarked in the D.H.50 once more, and were followd by the escort of " Moths," and the little squadron flew across to Stag Lane, Cobham thus being back at his actual starting-point after having flown close upon 17,000 miles. Very soon afterwards a message was received that His Majesty the King desired to see Cobham at Buckingham Palace, and thither Cobhara consequently hurried. His Majesty congratulated Cobham on his achieve- ment, and upon hearing that Mrs. Cobham was waiting in the car, expressed the desire that she. be called. The King then conversed with Mr. and Mrs. Cobham for a considerable time, and showed not only a very thorough knowledge of the details of the flight, but also a keen appreciation of the difficulties involved and the problems to be overcome before 160
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