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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0467.PDF
JULY 8, 1926 Marks were given in this trial for (a) Reliability of aircraft. (b) Picking-up formation qu'ckly. (c) Number of aircraft completing the course in formation, (d) Prompt and efficient wireless communication with the ground control station. (e) Fastest time over the course. No. 7 was unfortunate in having to start with one of its number short, owing to carburettor trouble ; otherwise all got away in good style. This was really an interesting event, although mainly taking place away from the aerodrome. Nevertheless, it was by no means a case of out of sight out of minds, for from time to time—about every hour or so—reports on the progress of the race were made on the loud speakers, from which one gathered that No. 99 was gradually overhauling the other squadrons. But more of this event anon. As soon as the bombing squadrons had departed, the second item on the morning programme commenced—the message picking-up competition. This event was rendered much more interesting this year compared with last year's similar competition by the introduction of wireless into the proceedings. As before, it was open to one Bristol Fighter from the various Army Co-operation Squadrons. Eliminating contests held previously left three competitors for Saturday's contest, as follows :—(1) No. 4 Army Co-operation Squadron, Farnborough, Squadron-Leader J. C. Slessor, M.C. (2) No. 13 Army Co-operation Squadron, And over, Squadron-Leader C. C. Durston. (3) No. 16 Army Co-operation Squadron, Old Sarum, Squadron-Leader \V. A. Coryton, M.V.O., D.F.C. Each competitor, after taking off, received instructions by wireless and picked up his message (suspended on a cord between two posts) by means of a hook suspended beneath the machine. He then read out the answer by wireless, after which the ground station instructed him to drop a cypy of the menage on a certain marked spot, and then to land on another marked spot. All the wireless messages, both to and from the machine, were broadcast by the loud speakers, and were clearly audible. No. 13 carried out the operations in fine style and obtained first place, No. 4 being placed second, and No. 16 third, the latter only succeeding in hooking his message after two attempts. This concluded the morning section of the programme, and during the lunch interval, between 1 and 2.30 p.m., some splendid demonstrations of aerobatics were carried out on different types of fast single-seater fighters, viz., a Gloster "Gamecock" (Bristol "Jupiter"), a Gloster " Gorcock " (Napier " Lion " ) ; a Sopwith " Snipe " (B.R.l 1) ; an Arm- strong Whitworth " Siskin " (Siddeley " Jaguar " ) ; and a Hawker " Hhrnbill " (Rolls-Royce "Condor"). Each put up a wonderful display, and it would be impossible to pick out any individual one for particular mention, except, perhaps, that F.-O. H. R. D. YVaghorn's long upside-down nights on the " Snipe " caused much excitement, and F.-O. Saint's demonstration on the " Hornbill " was of considerable tech- nical interest—for this latter machine's speed, climb and manoeuvrability were indeed something to marvel at, as well as its " slow-flying " powers. About the same time Capt. F. T. Courtney took up the Cierva " Autogyro " for a short demonstration. To see this weird " contraption " flying in company with orthodox— one almost said " respectable "—machines was certainly an experience one will not forget for a long while. Although it was, perhaps, a little slower than the standard Avro, this Avro with nothing to sustain it other than the revolving " windmill " was able to fly horizontally, and make banked turns equally well. But to see it hover, rise and descend almost vertically, and then land in a space.apparently only a few yards square, made one and all gasp in wonderment. At 2,30 p.m. the first of the afternoon's events started, and this was, perhaps, also the event of the day. It was an exhibition of Group evolutions by two wings of three Fighter Squadrons of nine machines—54 in all. The squadrons taking part were : No. 19, Duxford, under Sq,-Ldr. H. W. G. Jones, M.C. (Gloster "Grebes," Siddeley "Jaguars"); No. 23, Henlow, under Sq.-Ldr. R. Collishaw' D.S.O., O.B.E., D.S.C., D.F.C. (Gloster " Gamecocks," Bristol " Jupiters ") ; No. 29, Duxford, under Sq.-Ldr. R. H. G. Neville. M.C. (Grebes) ; No. 32, Kenley, under Sq.-Ldr. H. P. Lale, D.S.O., D.F.C. (Grebes) ; No. 41, Northolt. under Sq.-Ldr. F. Sowrey, D.S.O., M.C., A.F.C. (Armstrong Whitworth " Siskins," Siddeley " Jaguars ") ; and No. 56, Biggin Hill, under Sq.-Ldr. F. J. Vincint, D.F.C. (Grebes). These squadrons took off in formation one after the other in rapid succession, and as soon as all 54 machines were in the air the six squadrons flew across the aerodrome in squadron mass formation, and on passing the Royal Enclosure—Their Majesties having meanwhile arrived—dipyed in salute. They then went through a series of beautiful evolutions, with—- considering the high speed of the machines and the bumpy state of the air—extraordinary regularity. They flew in very close formation, in fact, at times it seemed as if a collision must be inevitable. It was, without doubt, one of the most wonderful displays of skilful piloting that has yet been pre- sented at any of the Displays. The next event was a handicap race of about 20 miles, open to Directorates of the Air Ministry, on various types of aircraft. There were six starters as follows—Equipment- Air-Com. A. M. Longmore, C.B., D.S.O., on a Fairey " Flv- catcher " (Siddeley " Jaguar "), 53 sees. ; Organisation and Staff Duties, Sq.-Ldr. C. R. Cox, A.F.C.; Training, Wing-Corn. W. S. Douglas, M.C., D.F.C., and Personal Services, Sq.-Ldr. A. X. Benge—all three on Hawker " Woodcocks " (Bristol " Jupiters ") and each with 47 sees ; Operations and Intel- ligence, Flight-Lieut. E. F. Waring, D.F.C., on an Armstrong Whitworth " Siskin " (Siddeley " Jaguar "), 32 sees. ; and Technical Development, Sq.-I.dr. Sir C. J. O. Brand, K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C.. on a Gloster "Gamecock" (Bristol " Jupiter "), scratch. AT THE R.A.F. DISPLAY : The Low-Bombing Competition. One of the Gloster <* Grebes " of No. 19 Squadron makes a direct hit on the moving tank. ,405 E 2
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