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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0578.PDF
JULY 5, 1928 our guns from a distance endeavoured to destroy it with theaid of a machine spotting its shots and reporting by tele- graphy with the " clock system." This machine was a Bristol Fighter, and as the shots fellround the enemy gun its Morse signals came through dis- tinctly on the loud speakers, easily enabling those with aknowledge of Morse to pick them up. The loud speakers also informed the public in the common language the distancethe shots fell, although these were mostly obviously good, and although a direct hit was not observed it was clear thatthe enemy gun was easily put out of action. One heard the observations coming through as 200 yards N.W. of thetarget, then 100 S.E. and 100 N.E., etc. This was a most interesting event, for it had a close resemblance to sternreality. There was an impressive screeching noise, imitating the shells passing over, and then followed the explosions atthe correct time, with a shower of earth shooting up amidst fire and smoke. Aerobatics.—There was another display of individualaerobatics, but this time on Avro-Lynx machines. The pilots were Flying Officer C. H. G. Bremridge and FlyingOfficer G. E. Campbell, both of No. 2 Flying Training School. five fighters of No. 25 Squadron approached the aerodrome,dived to attack in single file with machine-gun fire, then zoomed away. This scattered the transports, and one wascrippled so badly that it had to be left behind, a ready target for further fire. Again the fighters came in, this time inopen inverted vee formation, and a converging onslaught followed. From all degrees of the compass the fightersdived on the helpless transport, dropped bombs, and zoomed aloft to turn and dive again in their proper order. Thesmall pellets dropped burst into smoke. Considering the speed at which this bombing was done and in a divingposition only a few feet off the ground, the shots were very good. Finally the transport was blown up. Advanced Training.—One of the most spectacular eventswas undoubtedly that by Flight-Lieut. R. H. Horniman, Headquarters, R.A.F., Kenley, on a Gloster " Gamecock "with wings of scarlet which flashed so effectively against the deep blue sky which mantled the aerodrome at the time.His object was to demonstrate advanced individual training, and he certainly succeeded. He started off towards theenclosures, zoomed above them, and turned to get back over the aerodrome for his first stunt, the loop. This was " FLIGHT " Photographs NIGHT WORK: Vickers' "Virginia" night bombers, taking off in formation, and (above) Handley Page " Hyderabad " night bombers passing in open formation during the fly-past of night bombers. They stunted at each endTof the crowd, but their mostthrilling manoeuvre was when they dived at each other, passed, zoomed, and then looped or rolled or flew upsidedown, each machine performing the denouement simul- taneously. Ground flying was also expertly carried out. Main Programme.—The main part of the programmethen began. Three day bombing squadrons drilled. The machines were Hawker " Horsleys" of No. II Squadron,Netheravon, led by Sqdn.-Ldr. P. H. Cummings ; Fairey " Foxes " of No. 12, Andover, led by Sqdn.-Ldr. T. E. Salt •and Fairey IIIF's, of No. 207, Eastchurch, led by Sqdn.- Ldr. J. B. Graham. The " Horsleys " took off first,followed by the IIIF's and the " Foxes." Each did similar drill movements over the aerodrome in that order,approaching from different directions. The " Horsleys" flew towards the enclosures in closed vee formation, thenthe IIIF's flew parallel to the enclosures, and the " Foxes " came in over our heads. The next movement followed insuccession was open formation, then each came in flights of three's in line abreast with the first trio leading. Finallyall squadrons crossed together in formation. Air Attack.—This was an attack on a moving target, which,in this case, was a line of enemy transport comprising five vehicles. As they crawled obliquely across the aerodrome followed in turn by a half-roll on top of the loop, whichenables a pilot to gain height and emerge going in the opposite direction ; then came a half-roll, useful for a quick reversalof direction of travel, the slow roll, stalling turn, and a spectacular upward slow roll. Against the blue back-ground the " Gamecock " spun upward with ease. The most thrilling item in this pilot's exhibition was the "rocket."Approaching the enclosures at a low height, he suddenly shot upwards in a swift, straight, and almost vertical climband continued until he must have been nearly 2,000 ft. high. This movement is useful for a single-seater machinewhen engaging a bomber, for it can fire underneath in a position almost immune from the bomber's return fire. Battle Flight Competition.—The alarm was giventhat bombers were approaching the aerodrome. They were D.H.9a's of No. 605 (County of Warwick) BombingSquadron. Three flights of fighters took off at a moment's notice to attack, but the bombers seemed to get over theaerodrome before they were met. The fighters belonged to Squadrons Nos. 32 ("Gamecocks"), 1 and 111 ("Siskins").A flight of " Siskins" (No. Ill) won the event, which was to demonstrate quick interception of enemy bombers. Evolutions.—This demonstration by fighter squadronsequipped with " Siskins " was one of the best events of 526
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