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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 1454.PDF
FLIGHT May r6, 1940 The sharply-tapered wings and the slim rear fuselage of the Hampden are evident in this view of a formation. It will be seen that the bomb doors are open. conservatory but one could imagine what a dramatic setting it would make at night over Sylt with the bomb- aimer silhouetted against searchlights and "flaming onions," intent on a runway nicely in his sights. Our meditation was broken by a crackle over the " intercomm " and the pilot asking if we could see the other machines. We couldn't, but a minute later he had spotted them, and although we were flying at only 1, oooft. and the automatic boost controls were limiting the intake pressure, we saw the needle of the A.S.^. swing well beyond 200 as he opened the throttles. Then we had an unrehearsed demonstration of the use- fulness of the intercommunication system. Back in one of the rear gun stations with our photographer was a Sergeant who instantly relayed all requests for changes in position. These were persistent, varied and, sometimes, seemingly contradictory, and after fifteen minutes or so of throttle juggling in the vicinity of an unseen formation, one was not surprised to hear something about being "browned off" come over the earphones. It had an Antipodean intonation. Happily the '' browning off'' coincided with the completion of photography and it was with thankfulness and enthu- siasm that the pilot announced his intention of shoot- ing up the aerodrome before landing. By the time the drably camouflaged aerodrome could be distinguished ahead one was installed in the upper rear gun position with the transparent hood stowed forward and a pair of Vickers Ks to hand. There is no " clock '' in the gun stations and so we had A flight of Hampdens, with open bomb doors, sweeps across no indication of our speed over the aerodrome, but the aerodrome, simulating a low-flying attack. Concluded on page 455.) There is a suggestion of " Mayo " influence about this view of two Hampdens flying in close company. of course, highly important in the training of a bomber pilot. Formation-flying is,
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