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Aviation History
1935
1935 - 1124.PDF
(Flight photograph). THE "GAUNTLETS" CO FORTH F LIGHT is privileged to publish the first photograph taken of a flight of Gloster " Gauntlets " (Bristol "Mercury" engines) flying in formation. As may be seen from the chequers of blue and white on the wings and fuselages of the machines, this flight belongs to No. 19 (Fighter) Squadron, which is stationed at Dux- ford, in Cambridgeshire. It is, in fact, " C " Flight of that squadron. An article on No. 19 F.S. appeared in Flight of January 5, 1933, when the squadron was equipped with "Bulldogs." Its re-equipment with "Gauntlets" has now been all but completed. Quite a number of other fighter squadrons will also be equipped in the near future. The "Gauntlet " is the most remarkable fighter aero plane in service to-day. In speed, climb, and general per formance it is facile princeps. Its top speed is 230 m.p.h. at 15,800 ft., with a stalling speed of 59. It can climb to 15,000 ft. in 6.25 minutes, and to 20,000 ft. in 9.2 minutes. Its service ceiling is 35,500 ft., which is 6,500 ft. higher than " TT has given me the greatest satisfaction to receive the loyal * congratulations which you have so kindly conveyed to me I from the Air Council and all ranks of the Royal Air Force and : Branches of the Air Service on my Silver Jubilee. " The birth of the Royal Air Force will always rank as one : of the important events of my Reign. From small beginnings it has grown into an essential and successful Arm of the Defences : of the Empire with a distinguished record in peace and in war. I I am proud to be Chief of the Royal Air Force. " I sincerely thank you for your good wishes for the Queen I and myself, and I shall always take a close personal interest ; in the fortunes of my Royal Air Force. 6th May, 1935. (Signed) GEORGE R.I." the summit of Mount Everest. The engine is a Bristol 640 h.p. air-cooled "Mercury VI S." Pilots who have flown the machine are loud in its praises. It may not have a velvet glove, but it has, in horsey language, a mouth of velvet, perfect manners, and no vices. An interesting fact in connection with the '' Gauntlet is that it is something like 10 m.p.h. faster than ordinary performance calculations would lead one to expect. It may be remembered that a specimen was mounted in the full-scale wind tunnel at Farnborough at the recent official opening, evidently with a view to trying to discover whence came the odd ten miles. Mr. H. P. Folland, the designer of the " Gauntlet," denies that there is any mystery about it, and states definitely that he knows quite well exactly how and where he obtained the extra speed. Moreover, he does not consider that the limit has been reached in biplane performance, and is confident of the possibility of obtaining even higher speeds. " The Air Council, on behalf of all ranks of the Royal Air Force, the Special Reserve, the Auxiliary Air Force, the Royal Air Force Reserve, and Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service, beg to submit to Your Majesty an expression of loyal devotion and heart felt congratulation on the completion of the 25th year of Your Majesty's glorious reign. " The Royal Air Force and all branches of the Air Service are deeply conscious of the close personal interest which Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Queen, and the Members of the Royal Family have always shown in their welfare. This knowledge will serve in the future, as it has served in the past, as an inspiration to all ranks in any duty they may be called upon to undertake. " That Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen may long con tinue to reign in health and happiness is the fervent hope and prayer of all associated with the Royal Air Force." £be Iking's IRepl^ to tbe IRoval Sir force's Xoval fIDeeeage The Air Ministry announces that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to reply to a loyal message from the Air Council on behalf of the Royal Air Force and all branches of the Air Service. His Majesty's teply is given below, and in the right hand column is the text of the message which was submitted to His Majesty by Lord Londonderry.
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