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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0256.PDF
APRIL 5, 1928 Wednesday, October 26. At Brindlsl.—The Officer Commanding Flight,with the Air Attache Rome called on the British Vice-Consul, the Prefect, and the S.N.O.The afternoon was spent showing Italian officers and officials over the Southamptons.It was found more comfortable and convenient for all airmen to sleep in the flying-boats, and this was done.During the day a cable was received from Athens stating that the fuel had not yet arrived at Suda Bay although despatched a week before by motorcaique. The cable added that possibly moorings and fuel could be arranged at the Greek air station at Phalerou Bay, Athens. Air Ministry were sent acopy of this cable and informed that the flight would remain at Brindisi pending another cable from Athens. Thursday, October 27. At Brindisi.—Aircraft were fuelled up to500 gallons of petrol first thing in the morning in case enough petrol was not available at Athens. A further cable was received from Athens stating thatnothing had been heard of the petrol caique. It was therefore decided to fly to Athens at dawn on Friday and carry on to Suda Bay if the petrol hadarrived there. A cable was sent to Athens notifying this decision and the quantity of fuel required. An additional 5-gallon drum of oil was taken onboard each flying boat. All personnel slept on board. Friday, October 28. Brindisl-Athens. 340 miles. (4 hrs. 55 mins. ;69 knots).—A fine morning with 4/10 cloud and N.W. wind of 15 m.p.h. The flight took off in formation just before daylight and had a good flight toPhaleron Bay, which was reached at 10.20. The wind during the flight was variable but mainly favourable. The flight secured to seaplane mooringsoff the Greek air station, and since the Winds Were light northerly, rode quite safely and comfortably. The flight was met by officers from the Greek air station, and by officers ofthe British Mission under Wing-Commander Edmonds. As there was still Alexandretta at 12.30 and secured to buoys laid off the town. W/T could notbe used during the early part of this flight owing to the thunderstorms The petrol (in 4-gaUon tins) was brought alongside, each flying boat in.smalllighters directly the flight had secured to the buoys, and refuelling to 500 gallons per boat was completed in about 2 hrs.The officers Were quartered with various residents, the duty officer and the airmen slept on board the flying-boats. There was heavy rain during theevening and night. Friday, November 4. At Alexandretta.—S.1150 found it necessary tochange both airscrews as the brass on each blade had begun to bulge and draw the fastenings. A test flight of 10 mins. was carried out to test the newairscrews. This was quite satisfactory. Many visitors inspected the flying- boats. All officers and airmen slept on board the flying-boats. Saturday, November 5. Alexandretta-Ramadi. (8 hrs. 30 mins.;49 knots).—Rain fell in the early morning but cleared away before daybreak, allowing the flight to leave in formation at 06.00, the wind being S.W. 5 m.p.h.Some difficulty was experienced in getting through the pass in the mountains behind Alexandretta, owing to the down currents and low clouds. OneFrench aeroplane (Breguet) accompanied the flight through the mountains and was joined by several others near Aleppo. These aeroplanes escorted theflight as far as the river and then returned to Aleppo. After crossing the mountains it was found that there was an easterly windof about 25 knots on the surface and even flying low over the desert at 200 ft. it was only possible to average 45 knots ground speed. At 08.15 the riverEuphrates was reached at Meskene and course set along it. At 1,000 ft. the airspeed was increased to 75 knots as progress was stillslow. From 08.30 until 11.30, the flight was passing through heavy rain, which later gave way to dust. The clouds during this period were about400 ft., and the visibility a few hundred yards. As a more or less direct SOVIET RUSSIA MONGOLIA GOBI D E S E RTa SamarkandTURKISTAN CHINA R.A.F. FLYING-BOAT CRUISE: The route followed to Singapore. no news of the petrol caique all the aircraft were refuelled to 500 gallonsWithout difficulty from 40-gallon barrels in preparation for the direct flight to Aboukir on the following day. The Officer Commanding Flight with Wing-Commander Edmonds, calledon the President, the Minister of Marine, the Prime Minister and the Officer Commanding the Greek air station. The head of the British Legation, the Minister of Marine and several Greekofficers were shown over the Southamptons during the afternoon. All the personnel slept on board the boats.Saturday, October 29. Athens-Aboukir. 500 miles. (6 hrs. 35 mins. ; 76 knots).—The flight left Phaleron Bay in formation at 06.25the wind at the time being nil. Shortly after taking off the wind sprang up and increased to N.I 5 20 knots, afterwards as the Egyptian coast wasapproached, decreased to N.E. 10 knots. A few rain storms were flown through between Athens and Crete. The weather, however, cleared up afterCrete and Alexandria was sighted dead ahead at 12.20 hrs. The flight landed in formation at 12.55, and were met by Group CaptainBoard, representative Air Officer Commanding Middle East, and Group- Capt. Brooke, Commanding the Royal Air Force Depot. All the personnelWere accommodated at the Royal Air Force Depot. Sunday, October 30 and Monday, October 31 were spent on routineinspections, overhauls and cleaning down. Tuesday, November 1. At Aboukir.—S.I 151 was fitted with oneAboukir made propeller for air tests and made a satisfactory flight of 10 min. with it. Flying-boats refuelled to 500 gallons.Wednesday, November 2. At Aboukir.—Routine inspections com- pleted. The flight were most hospitably treated at Aboukir and everythingpossible was done to assist them. Thursday, November 3. Aboukir-Alexandretta. 440 miles.(6 hrs. 30 mins.; 68 knots).—The flight left Aboukir in formation at 06.00 hrs. and after flying through or round frequent heavy thunderstorms, landed at course was steered, the flight was sometimes over the river, but more oftenover the desert and in many Arab camps the low flying formation caused considerable movement amongst the cattle and people. At 09.35, Baghdadreported the wind as being S.E. 25 m.p.h. at the surface and 51 m.p.h at 1,000 ft. It then became obvious that unless the weather improved, theflight had insufficient fuel left to reach Baghdad. At 12.30 the ground speed again dropped to 50 knots and it was decided to land at Ramadi—60 milesfrom Hinaidi, and refuel from the emergency landing ground there. The flight, therefore, landed one by one in the river at 14.30 and rode totheir anchors for the night. Thirty gallons of petrol was taken in by each boat during the evening by means of one of the collapsible dinghies, nolocal boats being available." During the later stages of the flight the atmospherics stopped W/T. com-munication between the flight and Baghdad. On landing at Ramadi, it was found that land line communication had been stopped by the storm, and itwas late in the evening before a signal could be got through that the flight was safe at Ramadi, and needed no assistance. Sunday, November 6. Ramadi-Hinaidi. 60 Miles (1 hr. 10 mins.;51 knots).—Owing to an unfavourable weather report from Baghdad the flight did not leave at 06.00 as intended. At 08.00 heavy rain set in, butcleared enough to allow the flight to leave at 09.35. All the aircraft grounded lightly on sandbanks, whilst worming through. The sandbanks could notbe seen either from the air before landing, or from the surface and they were difficult to locate by sounding whilst taxying. All the aircraft got offwithout damage. After 1 hour and 10 minutes flying, the flight landed at Hinaidi in succession and secured to special moorings laid by the R.A.F.Depot. The river channels were clearly buoyed and the arrangements made by the Royal Air Force were excellent. The personnel were welcomed bythe Air Officer Commanding Iraq, who immediately inspected the Southamp- tons. All the personnel slept ashore during the stay at Hinaidi. 228
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