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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 0982.PDF
FLIGHT Illustrated by " Flight" Photographs The CO. S/L Norman Hayes, D.F.C., flying his weatherbeaten Spitfire 21. • • 600" In Camp The City of London Squadron at Work and Play 1~^OR its second summer camp since the Koyal Auxiliary Air Force was4 " Stood Down " at the close of hostilities, No. 6oo (City of London)Squadron has been at Thorney Island for the past fortnight. Over 50 auxiliary personnel attended] including eight officers. The regular squadrons, Nos. 56, 63 and 222, normally stationed at Thorney had all gone to Liibeck in Germany for exercises. Hard work—both by the auxiliaries and the regular cadre—kept sufficient ol the Griffon-eiigined Spit 21s serviceable to enable the squadron to carry but full battle climbs and formations, and also to take part in a Fighter Command exercise which involved interception of a number of B29S of the U.S.A.A.F. at 35,000ft. Generally speaking the squadron enjoyed good flying weather and about 250 hours were flo>vn. There is something carefree about an auxiliary squadron. Although the day has gone when the pilots of rival London squadrons did battle with each other on their own private aircraft (bombing each other's camp with flour, soot and extremeh long lengths of perforated paper) there is still an indefinable "something" about these camps. Certainly Thorney Island, commanded by G/C. G. B, Keily, D.F.C., A.F.C., is an ideal station for a camp. Surrounded on three sides by the sea, there is sailing, fishing and swimming on the doorstep so to speak, and for those with drier tastes, there is tennis and cricket. Work starts and finishes early and transport is provided for those who wish to go into town. On the final Friday of the camp the officers inviifd the whole squadron to a dance and jolly. J'Y /. Four Spitfires in echelcn, led by FL. Proudlove, flying along the South Coast. 2. Three and one in the box. The latter can just be seen peeping from under the wing of the Harvard from which the photograph was taken. 3. The auxiliary personnel take a few minutes off to pose for a photograph. 4. Pilots of No. 600 Squadron. S/L. Hayes is second from the extreme right.
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