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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 0569.PDF
FLIGHT, JUNE 12, 1931 I The tforine Section at Mount Batten. InfTOtu h a motor dinghy. The large craft isse-itiDiesel pinnace. Behind that is aBrooks " Stand-by," to attend at taking-off and landing. Furthest away is a twin-screwrefueller. (FLIGHT Photo.) It extends all up the west coast of GreatBritain to Stornoway and across to the Irish coast. There are permanent moor-ings at Stranraer, which is used as an advanced base for the two squadrons.Often the squadrons join in cruises and exercises with the Fleet. This spring No.209 was ordered to join in the exercises of the Mediterranean Fleet, but the startwas delayed by impossible flying weather down the west coast of France, and ulti-mately the orders were cancelled. Instead, the squadron made a cruise to Egypt, ofwhich more anon. When working with the Fleet, the functions of a flying boatare definitely offensive. It is for lighter ^^J^^^ ms^UMi^- '•••'- aircraft to reconnoitre and report. The flying boat goesout to attack submarines or any other hostile craft which she may find. The boats are prepared to fly over land(they have crossed France from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean) and attack objectives on land. Night raidsover land as well as over the sea are also a possibility. Fighter versus Boat This year a very interesting programme has been carriedout. No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron from Tangmere has been temporarily affiliated to Mount Batten. The " Siskins "arrived on Monday, May 18, at Roborough aerodrome, which is the municipal aerodrome of Plymouth, a fewmiles north of the town. This is the first occasion on which a fighter squadron has been affiliated to flying boatsquadrons for tactical exercises. The fighters were to try various ways of attacking single boats and formations ofboats. It would appear that the tactics for the boats would be to come down low over the water, and so cramp the manoeuvring space of the fighters. Boats cannot havea gun port through the bottom of the hull. Low flying does not involve such risk for a boat as it does for alandplane bomber. The results of the exercises should provide the Air Staff with much valuable information. Seamanship Mention has been made of the very efficient marinesection at Mount Batten. All the men on the motor boats are trained in the Royal Air Force, but the CO. proudlyboasts that they can hold their own in watermanship with the Royal Navy. All the airmen, however, are trained inseamanship. Of course, all of them must pass swimming tests. All are practised in rowing boats, and they areencouraged to take an interest in sailing. The three units at the station, the H.Q. and the two squadrons, have eacha sailing whaler, and inter-unit sailing races are held during the summer. Lady Astor has presented a handsomesailing cup to be competed for by these units. In fact, 531
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