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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0566.PDF
AUGUST 12, 1926 AN INTERESTING TRIP WITH A "JUPITER" ENGINE (Concluded from page 481.) IT was with a certain amount of relief that we sightedthe sandy coast, but it was in no way easy to locate exactly where we were and to estimate with correctness what ourdrift may have been. Turning slightly to the west we sighted a military camp with an aerodrome a little inlandfrom a picturesque sandy bay, and to this we directed our course. Flying low I was just about to fire a rocket to wainthem that we were about to land, and to give us the wind direction, when we discovered an Italian flag flying in thebreeze. There was nothing for it but to retrace our way, so that we proceeded eastwards along the fringe of thedesert and the sea until we reached Sollum Bay. Here was an aerodrome marked by four white stones, and nearbyhad been built a frontier post hut of mud. Once again, however, a small Italian flag was in evidence, and therewas no doubt that we were still on the wrong side of the frontier. A mile further on we spotted a pile of cases onthe desert, standing deserted about half a mile from some mud huts. In flying low over the pile we were relieved tofind that these cases were marked with the words " Shell." We landed safely on the sand, taxied up to the boxes, andoff I started to get assistance, as no ladder or funnels were in evidence. A number of Arabs were seated around the to the present time I still shudder when I think of the flavourof my first Egyptian-made coffee. The re-petrolling went forward very slowly, and unfortu-nately we were forced to realise that it would now not be possible for us to reach Cairo before darkness had fallen.However, we were anxious to make an attempt, and with our tanks about three-quarters full we continued on ourflight. Little more than half an hour had passed before darkness set in suddenly, and from the sea drifted in iablanket of mist which spread itself about 100 ft. from the ground so that we were forced to fly below this and quiteclose to the desert. Our compass was not illuminated, so we turned slightly towards the coast with the idea of reachingAlexandria before turning inland. However, as the darkness became more intensified, and as there was no moon or starsto assist in navigation, Col. Minchin decided very reluctantly that our best course was to land. On reaching the coastwe were able to pick out two lagoons which we assumed to be Mathruh, and where upon our maps a landing-place wasmarked. A few small lights were visible around this settlement and as we circled round quite close to the ground more lightsappeared. These we were gradually able to separate into two distinct groups, and flying quite close to the ground LONDON-CAIRO WITH A " JUPITER " : Left, filling up with " Shell " at Sollum, an operationsomewhat difficult of accomplishment, and, right, a first taste of Egyptian coffee. camp and, not without difficulty, I managed to get a coupleof them in tow and induced them to come out with me to the machine. One, however, escaped at the first opportunity,but apparently his intentions were of the best for he returned later with an Egyptian lieutenant. The filling-up of themachine with petrol, although an amusing episode to look back upon, was certainly one of the most trying incidentsin our journey. The heat was terrific, and the large tinr, of petrol proved too heavy for us to lift with ease. Thealuminium cowling of the' machine had become too hot for us to touch with our hands, and the cylinder heads andexhaust pipes were in the same condition. Still the Arabs seemed to find no discomfort in this heated metal, for theystood upon the hot cylinders, exhaust pipes and rocker gear with their bare feet to assist in pouring in the petrol andwithout uttering a word of complaint. Although we had descended from they knew not where, the Arabs were anxiousto extend to us the courtesies of their race, and one of our new friends soon appeared with a tray bearing three smallcups of coffee. I must confess that this appeared to be very welcome, but after taking one sip disillusion was com-plete. But my Arab friend was nothing if not persistent and in my efforts to be equally courteous I have no doubtI managed to raise a sickly smile. After swallowing the first dose of my medicine accordingly, he pursued me with thetray, insisting that the other two cups had been prepared for my especial benefit, and try as I would to dodge himaround the machine he was not to be shaken off. Accordingly, the second and third cups had to follow the first, and up between them, Col. Minchin made an excellent landing,although he was not actually able to see the earth. The machine ran along for some little distance and then therewas suddenly a terrific bang in the rear of the fuselage, the machine swung violently to one side, and pulled up in softsand. We were in no way certain of the reception we should obtain from our Arab hosts as uninvited guests, but partiesof them soon came out to us, took in charge our baggage, and conducted us with the greatest courtesy towards thesettlement. We were afraid we might have frightened them by flying so low around their dwellings, but with true Arabcourtesy they assured us that their only fear had been for our safety. It was so dark that we were unable to seewhere we were or how matters stood with our machine, so that we had to leave it as it stood for further inspectionon the morrow. Very soon we were met by some Egyptian officials, whowere accompanied by Captain Hillier, a British officer, who had been Governor of the Province during the war. Arrange-ments were speedily made for food to be served to us and for accommodation to be provided, and after a very welcomenight's rest we returned to our aeroplane in the morning. It did not take long to realise how near we had come to com-pletely wrecking the machine, which had been guarded by native police during the night. Our landing had been checkedby the Bloodhound running into some soft sand only a few feet from an elevated road constructed from rock. The bangwe had heard after landing had been caused by the tail skid striking a water pipe laid across the desert from the coast 496
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