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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0930.PDF
FLIGHT, SEPTEMBER 16, 1932 MIST ON THE FIRTH OF CLYDE The City of Glasgow Squadron is used to flying in murky weather. (FLIGHT Photo.) distance outside Glasgow. There was no town head quarters, but the 52nd Lowland Division of Territorials came to the rescue by letting the squadron use a hut in their headquarters in Jardine Street. The Territorials also helped nobly with the social side, which always plays an important part in getting a volunteer squadron or battalion together, and promoting a feeling of community among the non-commissioned ranks. Lowe's first adjutant was Fit. Lt. Gilbert Martyn, who is now a squadron leader on the staff of the Aircraft Depot at Hinaidi, in Iraq. Lowe and Martyn opened recruiting in November, 1925, and in a week had 55 names of airmen on their books. By the end of the year 49 airmen had been fully enrolled, and 234 applications for enlistment had been received. There was plenty of enthusiasm to be found in Glasgow, but not all who applied could be accepted. As yet there were no Auxiliary officers. In February, 1926, Capt. Latta took over command. He was an experienced pilot, and had flown fighters. Instruction was begun on the D.H. 9A., and before long suitable gentlemen were approved for commissions, and sent off to learn to fly.' In those days the A.A.F. did not undertake ab initio flying instruction, as it does now. Probably the adjutant was too busy on other work. Now, in all the established squadrons, the flight commanders have taken over a great deal of the work which used to be done by the adjutant and his assistant, and so the latter are free to give flying instruction. The Force, as a whole, is pleased by the new arrangement. It can control the instruction now, which it could not do when the newly joined officers took out an " A " licence at a private flying school. Some men may have that flair for flying which enables them to go straight from a light aeroplane to a Service bomber, but such men are hardly the majority. Flying schools are much more elaborately organised now, and they keep closely in touch with R.A.F. training methods; but, even so, there is much to be said in favour of each squadron training its own pilots. In April, 1926, Sir Hugh Trenchard, Chief of the Air Staff, inspected the squadron, and that year it went to training camp at Leuchars. Its muster at that camp com prised two D.H. 9A.'s, two Avros; four A.A.F. officers, 83 A.A.F. airmen and 22 regular airmen. It shows the enthusiasm of the infant squadron that during that camp all the officers made voluntary parachute drops. About the same time, too, the squadron started a "Soccer" team. The year 1927 saw a notable advance in many direc tions. New town headquarters were instituted at 49, Cop- law Street, Glasgow, and these were inspected by H.M. the King on July 12. The squadron provided a guard of honour on that occasion, and this, too, was inspected by His Majesty. In the same year Sqd. Ldr. Fullerton took over the command of the squadron from Sqd. Ldr. Latta, and the Marquess of Clydesdale, who is the present CO., received his first commission in the squadron. Another event of the year was the re-equipment of the squadron with Fairey " Fawns " in place of the D.H.9A's. The year 1929 saw a further advance made, for " Wapitis " began to arrive. In this year, too, the squadron achieved the great honour of winning the Esher Trophy, which was duly presented to them by Sir Hugh Trenchard. In May, 1931, the Marquess of Douglas and Clydesdale, M.P., heir of the Duke of Hamilton, took over command of the squadron. He has taken a certificate at the Central Flying School. He has also very considerably helped the squadron by supplying a bombing range at Dungavel in his own grounds. Under his command the squadron has still further increased its all-round efficiency. This squadron is proud of having supplied a number of officers to other A.A.F. squadrons, including Nos. 600, 604, and 605. Cynical Sassenachs may remark that this is but one more instance of the drift of Scotsmen 866
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