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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0642.PDF
FLIGHT, JULY 1, 1932 THE SIGN OF THE CROSS : Hawker " Furies " <" Kestrel ") of No. 43 (Fighter) Squadron showing one of their ten formations. (FLIGHT Photo.) Air Combat—" Sidestrand " v. " Bulldogs " Three " Bulldogs " (Bristol Jupiter engines) of No. 41 (Fighter) Squadron, flown by Fit. Lt. A. Leach, F/O. VV. H. Husbands, and Pilot Sgt. B. J. Marsden, in this event went up and attacked a Boulton and Paul IN LINE ABREAST : No. 43 (Fighter) Squadron in another of their formations. (FLIGHT Photo.) " Sidestrand " (two Jupiters), flown by Pilot Sgt. W. Methven. of No. 101 (Bomber) Squadron" This is an event which always raises the greatest interest, and the way in which Sgt. Methven handled the " Sidestrand " brought back memories of the piloting of the late Sqd. Ldr. Longton in the Display some years ago. Last year we did not see this form of combat, so this is the first time it has been done with fighter aircraft as efficient as the " Bulldog." Those who knew anything of the capability of the " Sidestrand " confidently expected that it would win the fight, but the authorities decreed otherwise, although before it was shot down it had accounted for two of its assailants, which were sent down in " flames." We, ourselves watched the event in company with two experienced pilots, both of whom thought that the " Bull dogs " would have lost the battle had the rear gunner been a good marks man. The pilot of the " Sidestrand made the fullest use of his machine's exceptional manoeuvrability, and en many occasions he turned it even faster than were the " Bulldogs " turned. If desired it may actually be looped, roiled and spun with facility, and by way of showing his contempt for his adversaries Sgt. Methven looped neatly during the " action! " Time and time again he turned his big machine so that the rear gunner had splendid chances of getting a sight on the " Bulldogs," and there is no doubt whatsoever that had the fight been real the " Side strand " would have given a very good account of itself. Having no engine in front of the fuselage obviates having to have the rear gunner standing in a heavy slip stream, and he can therefore work much more comfortably, while the gunner in the nose has a perfectly clear field, and moreover can obviously make more use of his gun than can the pilot of a single-seater fighter wherein the gun is fixed. 594
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