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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 0032.PDF
FLIGHT BOSCOMBE DOWN firms' pilots they are exceptionally skilled. Sqn. Ldr. Zurakowski, for example, has made a name for himself by his denionstrations of the Vampire and Martin-Baker MB.5, and it was he who introduced really slow flying on jet and high-speed aircraft as a feature of his exhibitions. He is, incidentally, a diligent student of technical matters and is one of several Polish officers at Boscombe, all of whom were valued highly by Air Comdre. Fraser, who hoped for some official recognition of their services. Remarkably enough, Boscombe pilots may log less flying time than pilots serving in squadrons, weather suitable for normal cross-country work often being impossible for test-flying. On the other hand, they do gain experience on a diversity of types and are always eager to try some- thing new or different. " Zura," for instance, is acutely disappointed that he has not had an opportunity to fly more German machines. Grp. Capt. Wroath who preceded Grp. Capt. Dawkins as Superintendent of Flying, had well over 200 types in his log book. The Newest "Jets" When we called on A Squadron they had in their hangarsa selection of Spitfires, Tempests, Vampires and Meteors. One Vampire was a Nene-engined prototype, the existenceof which was only lately announced. A second Vampire, this time bearing Swiss markings, was flying (highly success-fully it seemed) with its full external load of 500 lb bombs under the outer wings and eight R.P.s inboard. A short-nacelle Meteor III, seen in the heading photograph, was equipped with zero-length rails for R.P.s. Another was ashort-span Mark IV. To the lot of B Squadron, commanded by Wing Cdr.J. G. Mann, falls the testing of military aircraft adequately classified by the Wing Cdr. himself as " from Mossies up."In this he has the help of Sqn. Ldr. J. C. K. Sutton, Fit. Lt. T. W. Morren, Fit. Lt. J. D. Baker, Fit. Lt. J HPinckard, F/O..P. S. Gees, and W/O. K. R. Price. The Lincoln has been one of B Squadron's majorresponsibilities in recent times, and now the Brigand tor- A Kumber van bearing a "batsman " drives down the run-way at 30 knots, simulating deck-landing conditions for the pilot of a Sea Vampire. pedo fighter is being put through its paces, The Hastings,, is awaited. In the main, the work, of B Squadron runs-^ parallel to that of A Squadron though obviously, on a machine of Lincoln calibre, armament tests on bomb and gun installations are very elaborate, even when only " worst possible" or "suspect" bomb loading conditions are checked. For performance tests very full automatic observer equip- ^ ment is used to record cooling conditions, fuel flow, etc.^ Ashley Walk range, near Fordingbridge, has been usedf for bomb tests (the early Tallboy and Grand Slam trials" were done by A. and A.E.E.) but as later emphasised by the Superintendent of Armament, the provision of ranges is now a very serious problem indeed, and one apparently impossible of solution. As in all departments of A. and A.E.E., B Squadron makes extensive use of photography to provide test data and records. The release of drop tanks, for instance, is photographed from a Firefly or Mosquito. B Squadron has lately, been flying a handsome new Brigand finished in Coastal Command white, and fitted with a new clear-vision cockpit canopy. Tests to check » " Flight " iihotogruph. Officers of the A. and A.E.E. with Air Commodore H. P. Fraser, C.B.E., A.F.C. (centre). The Air Coftidre. lately handed oxerlus command at Boscombe to Air Comdre. Pelly. ~"
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