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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0364.PDF
FLIGHT, APRIL Tl, 1932 not been successful determine to try again and do better next time. The last quarter has seen some very good work done in the issue of complete outfits of " Fury " interceptors to No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron at Tang- mere and to No. 25 (Fighter) Squadron at Hawkinge. A while ago there was some consideration as to which of these two squadrons should have priority in getting the " Fury." First No. 25 F.S. was selected, and then a change was made to No. 1 F.S. In the result both squadrons have received the " Fury " in the first quarter of this year. Now all the three squadrons on the two coast aerodromes of Hawkinge and Tangmere are equipped with inter ceptor fighters. We have already expressed some doubts as to whether the coast is the proper place to station interceptor squadrons. The experiences of the last Air Exercises went to show that they would have a better chance of intercepting if sta tioned at aerodromes farther inland, such as Biggin Hill and North Weald ; while " Bulldogs " would seem suitable for waiting on the coast to catch raiders on their return journey. We suppose that further experiments are to be made in future exercises with interceptors on the coast, and certainly, now that three interceptor squadrons are available, the tests are likely to be much more thorough and convincing. We are perfectly ready to change our opinion if experience shows that interceptors can do their work most efficiently from the coast ; and we feel sure that the authorities of A.D.G.B. are equally ready to change theirs if the reverse is proved to be the case. In the same quarter the Ulster Cadre Bomber Squadron, No. 502, has exchanged the " Hydera bad " for the " Virginia." Both types must be regarded as obsolescent, and it is just a trifle strange that it should have been thought worth while to make the change at this ?iage. The " Hyderabad " has disappeared completely from the equipment of regular squadrons, whereas the " Virginia " is still standard equipment of a number of night-bombing squadrons, pending the production and adoption of a new night- bomber. Of the two, the " Virginia " carries a good load of bombs, but is slow, while the " Hyderabad " is somewhat faster but only carries a comparatively light load of bombs. From the point of view of defence, it appears to us reasonable that, while the Auxiliary squadrons need not receive quite the latest equipment, the Cadre squadrons, each of which has one complete regular flight, should be as well equipped as are the regulars. Perhaps that is why the Ulster squadron has been given the " Virginia " for the time being. We hope that both it and the regular night-bombing units will soon receive some thing of modern and up-to-date design. The coming quarter is to witness one very interest ing case of re-equipment. No. 100 (Torpedo- Bomber) Squadron, stationed at Donibristle, on the Firth of Forth, is still equipped with the time- honoured " Horsley." In the present quarter it is due to exchange this for the Vickers " Vildebeeste," with a Bristol Pegasus engine, as its new torpedo- plane. In a recent issue we gave some account of the " Vildebeeste " with a 595-h.p. Hispano-Suiza engine. When the new service type is transferred from the Part Publication to the Open List, it will be interesting to compare the performances of the two versions of this machine. For many years past, the name of Vickers has been associated in the Royal Air Force with large twin-engined machines, and this adoption of a single-engined machine is distinctly interesting. There is also an interesting innovation to be noted in the Fleet Air Arm. No. 404 (Fleet Fighter) Flight is being renumbered No. 420 and becomes a Fighter Reconnaissance Flight, with the " Osprey " as its standard equipment. Hitherto there has been no class of Fighter Reconnaissance Flights in existence, and also there have been no numbers starting with 420. Flights numbered from 400 to 409 have been Fleet Fighters, those from 440 to 450 Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance, and from 460 onwards Fleet Tor pedo Bomber Flights. The introduction of the ' Osprey " accounts for the starting of a new class of flight. Another Fleet Fighter Flight, No. 402, receives the single-seater " Nimrod " in place of the ' Flycatcher," with which all Fleet Fighter Flights have been equipped since some date not very subse quent to the voyage of Noah. The Fairey firm can be congratulated on the long run and great popu larity of the " Flycatcher," but all good things must come to an end. Once again we have to assert that during the present quarter the last ' Bristol Fighters " as squadron equipment will disappear from the Air Force List. No. 6 (Bomber) Squadron at Ismailia has performed the functions of a museum for too long ; but some of its " Gordons " have been already delivered, and the rest are due this quarter. We understand that over 60 " Gordons " have been ordered, and three other bomber squadrons, Nos. 14, 35 and 207, the first of which is at Amman and the other two at Bircham Newton, all of which are now flying Fairey III F's, are to receive " Gordons " in the present quarter. Another Army co-operation squadron in England, No. 13, at Netheravon, is getting the Hawker " Audax " with Kestrel engine in place of the " Atlas." The " Audax " is the Army co-operation version of the '" Hart." Its speed and range will enable it to carry out medium reconnaissance, and to bomb the back areas of the enemy's army ; while at the same time it will be a formidable nut for hostile fighters to crack. Imperial Airways have issued some details about the Armstrong-Whitworth " Atalanta " class of pas senger machine which they hope to put in service on the Africa airway before the end of the year. Its four Double Mongoose 350-h.p. engines should en able it to rise with ease off the aerodromes of Africa, which are sometimes at an altitude of 5,000 feet. It will fly on three engines at a height of 9,000 feet. Its cruising speed of 120 m.p.h. should enable it to reduce the journey from 11 to 9 days. But it weighs nearly 8 tons when fully loaded, and in the rainy season the aerodromes in the Sudan (with the one exception of Tuba) will hardly, we under stand, bear this weight. Sir Vyell Vyvyan stated when he was in South Africa after making the first mail flight there, that until aerodromes which could be used all the year round can be found, flying boats will probably continue to be used between Khartum and Kisumu. No passenger needs condolence for having to fly in a " Calcutta." In any case the production of the " Atalanta " marks a further step in the progressive advance of Imperial Airways. 340
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