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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1114.PDF
FLIGHT JULY IOTH, 1947 Brussels Once Again ... Mr. Sonderman gave everyone a good viewof the Fokker new Promoter. Belgian Air Force formated effectively,their broad arrow being particularly approved. A single machine of the same type, without armament and possibly specially pre-pared, took off for aerobatics which were individual in more senses than one. The pilot was Major Arend andhis flying was sheer perfection. Upward rolling from take- off, he placed his inverted flying, slow rolls and great loopsfrom ground level to the very best advantage. The crowd gave him a big hand as he taxied along the perimeter. (Right) Formation aerobatics by Vampires of No. 54 Squadron were sensational. A few seconds after this photograph was taken a Thunderbolt, taking part in the low attack depicted, was seen to crash. The pilot baled out The American representation was disappointingly small and non-aerobatic, but Major Kennedy and his two fellow pilots are to be complimented on making the very best of the Invader's speed and, considering its size and weight, excellent climb. The high-tailed twin-engined Douglas attack bombers made several all-out runs low over the grass. Next the Lafayette Escadrille in their Thunderbolts, led 'by Captain Fabry, came streaming down for one of their low attacks, and the crowd felt that the show was really getting under way. Splitting up into two formations, the French pilots then converged on courses of 90 deg, fly- ing very fast and low. Their timing was frighteningly fine. As they zoomed away into the distance we happened to see, by pure chance, one machine fall out of control and, after a few seconds, the all-too-familiar pillar of smoke arise. The pilot baled out and was unharmed. Our Own Show • Our Belgian friends were full of compliments on the R.A.F. demonstration for three reasons: the performance of the Vampires, the dash displayed by their pilots, and the way in which an individual demonstration was inter- woven with formation aerobatics. The three Vampires of 54 Squadron, led by S/L. Lyne, came over in vie forma- tion with F/O. Carter in the box. Having parted com- pany in a spectacular fashion, either Carter or the aero- batic flight was continuously in the picture. Carter's flying is well known, and the team from 54 Squadron, having put in a great deal of diligent practice, have now re-estab- iished an R.A.F. tradition formerly associated with the Fury. The three pilots flew round their tremendous loops and rolls without a falter, and it was to be regretted that they had to return to Melsbroek without hearing and see- ing the delight of the spectators. F/L. C. I. Colquhoun and Pilot I. W. Wood flew the second and third Vampires. If it was now possible for appreciation of Britain's effort to be raised even higher this was certainly achieved by Lt. Cdr. Lithgow in the Attacker. No more need be said of his demonstration than that Lithgow made this extremely swift fighter seem faster and more manoeuvrable than ever. Few of the spectators had previously seen a loop round a cloud. Undaunted, Mr. Sonderman kept them from jam- ming the exits by displaying the luxurious interior of the Promoter—from the air.
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