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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0703.PDF
SEPTEMBER 23, 1926 ALAN COBHAM'S FLIGHT HOME As reported in last week's FLIGHT, Mr. Alan Cobham and his two companions, Sergt. Ward and Mr. Cape!, were reported seen flying en route for Rangoon on September 15 (not September 14, as previously stated), after several days without any news regarding their safety. They landed safely at Rangoon early that afternoon, and were accorded an extremely hearty welcome. The story of Mr. Cobham's " hold-up " is one full of thrills and adventures, and will make interesting and historic reading when it comes to be written or told in full. When they left Penang on September 8—after a speedy seven days' flying from Australia—they were flying on a direct compass course over open sea and desert islands en route for Victoria Point. Then they ran into very severe rainstorms, which rendered it impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. Mr. Cobham, therefore, decided to come down, and landed on the leeward side of a small island 40 miles from shore. A sheltered cove was found and here they took refuge, making fast the D.H.50J (Siddeley " Jaguar ") seaplane to a palm tree. After a while the downpour of rain eased, and they decided to push on a bit further. Taking off from the rollers proved to be no easy task, and the Short all-metal floats received severe punishment, but withstood it well. Eventually they reached a small Siamese village located up a sheltered creek, called Tanoon, which Mr. Cobham had " ear-marked " on the outward journey. Here they made a safe landing, glad to be in touch with civilisation once more, and received hearty welcome and help from the inhabitants. On beaching and examining the machine it was found that certain damage had resulted from the rough sea and rain, so while Ward and Capel rendered first aid, Mr. Cobham motored to the nearest telegraph station (20 miles) to send news to Rangoon. That evening the weather cleared somewhat, and the machine was launched and moored to a safe anchorage for the night. Meanwhile the Secretary of His Highness Prince Sridhidej, Lord Lieutenant of the district, arrived with presents of English tinned food, whisky, cigarettes, etc., which kindness was very much appreciated. The rain continued throughout the night, and in the morning (September 9) the monsoon broke out with increased fury and continued so until late in the afternoon, when it eased sufficiently for them to make a dash for Victoria Point. Proceeding from Victoria Point early the following morning, they took off in the hope of reaching Rangoon ahead of the bad weather coming up behind. However, they only covered 40 miles and then flew into the " arms " of the worst rain- storms they had so far experienced. There was nothing for it, therefore, but to turn back, and with the greatest difficulty—for there was bad weather behind as well— they managed to fight their way back to Victoria Point. They landed safely, just as a terrific downpour fell, which completely hid the seaplane from view when they at last got ashore. As previously stated, there is no telegraph, telephone or wireless now at Victoria Point, and so Mr. Cobham was quite unable to let the outside world know of his position, and as, after what they had experienced during the journey from Penang, they had decided not to attempt to proceed further until there was a definite break in the weather, the enforced stay at Victoria Point explains the several days' silence and anxiety experienced last week. For five days they were held up at Victoria Point, and it was not until September 15 that conditions settled sufficiently tfi enable them to proceed to Rangoon—and even then only the first 150 miles was flown in fair weather, the remaining 400 miles being covered through a continuous downpour. At Rangoon some more bags of rain, etc., arrived and the journey home was once more delayed, and they did not leave for Calcutta until September 18. When they arrived at Akyab, however, the weather was so bad that it was decided not to proceed. Conditions improved a little on September 19, and then they flew on to Calcutta, but once again weather reports were adverse to continuing, s > they did not leave Calcutta until September 21 en route for Allahabad. Sotc.—The Institute of Aeronautical Engineers' Dinner in honour of Mr. Cobham has been postponed from Sept. 30 to a date to be fixed later. THE KDYAL London Gaxtte, September 17. deneral Duties BrunchThe follg Pilot Offu-ers arc promoted to the rank of Flying Officer : — L. K. Mizon (April 15) ; K. G. M. Hill (Sec. Lt., London Refit., T.A.)(May 15) ; D. C. Sherman, K. G. D. Stewart, M.C., T. P. F. P. Fagan (Aug. 6) ; A. J. Holmes, C. P. Vines (Aug. 17) : K. D. Adams (Sept. 17).Flying Officer S. H. Hardy is placed on half-pay, Scale B. (Sept. 16). The follg. are transferred to the Reserve : — Class ASquadron Leader.—C. A. Rea, A.F.C (Sept. 12). Flight Us. —W. W. McCormachie, T. Rose, D.F.C.. R. A. Vosper (Sept. 12) •A. M. Wake, A.F.C.. P. H. Davy (Sept. IK). lHving Officers.—H. A. Boniface, R. G. Mullette, H. K. F. Saunders (Sept.12) ;" J. V. Medealf, P. L. Sant (Sept. 16). Class B.Flight Us. R. C. Bryant. W. H. Oakey, M.B.E. (Sept. 12) I 1). K. Cameron (Sept. IB).Flying Officers.-]. I.. Miles, H. \V. Xicholl (Sept. 12). Class CFlith'. Us.—li. C. Adaimon. D. W. King (Sept. 12) C. \Y. Bailey, F. R. P. Dexter (Sept. IK).Flying Officers.—H. E. Kirk, D.C.M. (Sept. 12) : H. J. Moulc (Sept. 16). Stores BranchFlying Officer \Y. F\ Langdon is granted a permanent commission in this rank with effect from November 24, 1925, on completion of probationary ser- A1K FORCE vice ; Squadron Leader \V. H. G. Matoii, M.B.F... is placed on the retired list(Sept. 11). The follg. are transferred to the Reserve (Sept. 12) :— Class BFlving Officer.—W. A. Kyte. Class CSquadron Leader.—H. G. Etheridge. Flying Officers.—H. D. Fletcher, W. B. Francis. H. C. Hay wood-Gibbons,F.. \V. Husband, J. B. Slater. J. S. Yincr. .1 ccountant BranchThe follg. Flying Officers arc granted permanent commissions in this rank (Sept. 15) :—E. C. Green, J. H. S. Richards.Pilot Officer on probation F. Rigby is confirmed in rank and promoted to the rank of Flying Officer (Aug. 10) ;' Flying Officer A. H. Scaife if placed onthe retired list on account of ill-health (Sept. 15). Medical Branch.Flying Officer A. Harvey. M.B.. is granted a permanent commission in this rank (Sept. 15) ; J. Hutchieson, M.B., is granted a short service commissionas a Flying Officer for three years on the active list with effect from and with seniority of Aug. 24 : Flying Officer F. P. Schofield, M.B., is promotedto the rank Of Flight Lt. (Sept. 15) ; Flying Officer C. J. MacQuillan. M.B., B.A., is transferred to the Reserve, Class D.2 (Sept. 15). Reserve ot -i ir Force Officer-. D. H. B. Clark is granted a commission in Class A. A.. General Duties Branch,as a Pilot Officer on probation (Aug. 3n) : Flight Lt. D. Le Bas is transferred from Class D.2 to Class D.I (Aug. 29). ROYAL AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE Appointments.—The following appointments in the Royal Air Force arenotified : — (General Duties llranchWing Commander H. R. Nicholl, O.B.H., to No. 70 Squadron, Iraq, pending taking over command, if.9.26.Squadron Lender L. H. Slater, O.B.E., D.S.C., D.F.C., to Marine Aircraft Experimental F.stabt., Felixstowe, 6.9.26.Flight Lieutenant \V. G. Mrggitt, M.C., to Central Flying School, Upavon, It). 8.26.Flying Officers : B. S. Brice, A.F.C., and H. T. Satterford, to Home Aircraft Depot, Henlow 1.9 26. T. J. Desmond, to Reception Depot, West Drayton,6.9.26. Flying Officers : E. H. Fielden, to Station H.Q., Duxford, 13.9.26. B. A.Davy, to R.A.F. Depot, Uxbridge, on transfer to Home Estabt., 20.8.26. L. W. Mercer, to R.A.F. Depot, I'xbridge, on transfer to Home Estabt., 1.9.26.F. V. Beamish, to Central Flying School, Upavon, on transfer to Home Estabt., 14.9.26. Pilot Officers.—]. M. Hunter and G. L. G. Richmond, to Xo. 2 FlyingTraining School, Digby (13.9.26). Pilot Officers.—The following Pilot Officers are all posted on appointmentto Short Service Commissions (on probation), with effect from September 1, 1926 :—L. T. Carruthers, T. H. Dowries, and A. D. Vigors, to No. 9 Squadron,Manston : T- G. Elton and L. Newcombe, to No. 11 Squadron, Netheravon ; D. L. Maclean, G. J. Powell, and H. N. C. Williams, to No. 58 Squadron,Worthy Down : J. F. Moir, R. S. Munday, and G. A. Robinson, to No. 99 Squadron, Bircharn Newton. Medical Branch Flight Lieutenant A. E. Jenkins, to Station H.Q., Duxford, 28.8.26.Flight Lieutenant Q.Mstr., Medical) H. Stee!e, to R.A.F. Officers' Hospital, Uxbridge, 12.9.26. Flight Lieutenant [Q.Mstr., Medical) D. Brecn, to R.A.F. Hospital, Halton,on appointment to a Permanent Commission, 1.9.26. 627
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