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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 0609.PDF
APRIL 24TH, 1947 FLIGHT 359 Jet formations in the fly-past. The Vampires (left) are led by W C. Balnforth, D.S.O., D.F.C., and the by S/L. Wright, D.F.C., D.F.M. • Flight • Meteors of No. Group FLYING DISPLAY AT HALTON Air Attaches of Many Countries See R.A.F. Home Commands DemonstrationI F the importance of an event is proportional to the number of V.I.P.s present, the flying demonstration given by aircraft of the R.A.F. Home Commands at Halton on the evening of April 18th must rank as one of the outstanding, if not the most outstanding, displays since the war. Originally arranged for March 27th, the occasion of the inspection of No. 1 School of Technical Training at Halton by delegates from the U.S.S.R., this demonstration was a repeat performance, bad weather having severely cur- tailed the earlier display. A report of the Russian inspec- tion was given in Flight of April 10th. During the afternoon of Friday, April 18th, General J. L. Poillet, Chief of Staff, French Air Forces, inspected the Technical School. Names on the guest list this time included the Prime Minister and Mrs. Attlee, and again the Secretary of State, Mr. Noel-Baker. Sir Henry Tizard and the Fourth Sea Lord were present, and Air Attaches and their staffs representing some 25 countries included four each from America and Russia. The C.A.S. Lord Tedder and Lady Tedder were pre- sent, as were Marshals of the R.A.F. Ellington and Salmond, and Air Chief Marshal Sir J. C. Slessor. The list also again included the A.O.C. in C. Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport, Flying Training, Technical Training, Reserve and Maintenance Commands, and some 35 other Air Marshals. Word of the display seemed to have got round, at least locally, and the 4fe*feHd, some adjoining fields and the* Wendover-Tring road overlooking the airfield filled up quite early with officers and airmen's families and many other spectators from the general public. The display itself was well organized and kept well to time. The first event was a fly past commencing at 1730 hours, and led by three Lancaster* commanded by F/L. Wheeler, D.F.C., of 44 Squadron. Three Lincolns and Many distinguished spectators werepresent at the flying demonstration. The Prime Minister is here seen withAir Commodore J. F. Titmas, C.B.E., commanding R.A.F. Station Halton,and M. Etlin, French C.A.S.' staff. Another photograph appears opposite. three Beaufighters followed to complete Group II. Thiv<- Sunderlands forming Group 1 were to have lead the forma tions but fog on the South Coast prevented them from taking off. A line formation of nine Mosquito night fighters led by S/L. Hardiman, D.F.C., No. 25 Squadron, introduced Group III and five Spitfires commanded by S/L. Parker, of No. 63 Squadron, followed. As the commentator remarked, this was probably the last time Spitfires would be featured in an R.A.F. fly past. S/L. Arthur, D.F.C., then led across four Hornets of No. 19. Squadron at a speed of about 300 m.p.h Their tight formation (one in the box) looked pariii ul.ii l\- impressive. Jets were next on the list, and two flights of nine and five Meteors respectively roared across at about 400 ni.p.h. They appeared to be short nacelle Ills in the main, anil were led by S/L. Wright, D.F.C., D.F.M., of No. XF Group and S/L. Brandt of No. XII Group. The final fly-past Group was No VI comprising niiu Vampires flying at 465 m.p.h. under the command of W/C. Balnforth, D.S.O., D.F.C. Their formation was good and they circled round at very high speed for a second passage over the field. Visibility in the air was becoming quite poor and ' Vliqht " vhotouraiik.
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