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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 0204.PDF
136 February 1949 After a busy morning of co-operation with Royal Naval aircraft, R.N.V.R. Seafires spend an afternoon in formation drill. Objective Culham necessary, move may be the withdrawal of the Seafire 46s and standardization of the earlier Mk. 17s. The Seafire 46, in any case, is an " interim " variant, lacking the folding mainplanes of the Mk. 47, as now used by Regular Naval units. In view of the decision that No. 1832 Squadron shall be embarked for a fortnight this summer in an aircraft carrier, standardization of equipment is naturally desirable. Though of earlier vintage, the Seafire 17 has a lively per- formance (top speed well over 400 m.p.h.) and respectable offensive powers (2 x 20 mm. -f- 4 x 0.303 in guns, and R.Ps or bombs). The Strike Sharp on time, at n 30 hrs., the raiding Seafires bore down on Culham in open battle formation. Flying top- cover at 2,5oo-3,oooft. were the machines of Nos. 1831 and 1833 Squadrons ; below, " 1832 " positioned themselves for an assault on the control tower and nearby dispersals, while the S.N.A.W. elements prepared to deal with installa- tions and other dispersals on the far side of the airfield. A beautifully co-ordinated attack ensued. Diving, whining Seafires came streaking past, at some 350 knots. One, in particular, scurried across the airfield at what might have been 4ft., easing up to clear the perimeter fence and making a getaway through a gap in the distant trees. Another made a bee-line for " control." The raiders retired without " jinking." Though slower aircraft might have benefited by evasive action, it is con- sidered that fast types, like the Seafire, are safer from light flak if they absent themselves without delay from the scene of action. The form-up was expeditious—faster, in fact, than under actual operational conditions, for the leaders feared the consequences of 32 Seafires, many of them practically indistinguishable except for their coloured spinners, milling indiscriminately around the sky. A formation fly-past which followed was very tidy, despite bumps, but rather too high.for maximum effect. The S.N.A.W. formations having broken off for their return to St. Merryn, the V.R. Seafires orbited preparatory to " landing-on " H.M.S. Hornbill, the official Naval designation of R.N.A.S. Culham. Lt. Robertson, Senior Officer Instructor of 1832 Squadron, planted himself by the end of the runway to wield his signalling bats, according to the American Naval system now standardized. Deck- landing conditions could not, however, be faithfully re- presented, for by reason of the short intervals between landings it was necessary for the pilots to " keep rolling " well up the runway. At debriefing, the S.N.A.W. instructors saw fit to criticize only minor aspects of the exercise. The " tell-off " had, frankly, impressed one of these officers as " ropey," though the subsequent form-up was " not bad." Some pilots had experienced unpleasant cloud on course for the rendez- vous, but the formations were slightly early at Salisbury, on-time over Yeovil, and " not 30 seconds late " at Castle Cary- The S.N.A.W. force had been a full minute early, but instead of orbiting, pressed on to the attack, necessitat- ing a stern chase by the V.R.s. Some straggling in the top cover was noted, but otherwise the Regular experts were unstinting in their praise. Having been impressed, like other observers, by the contour-chasing prowess of the R.N.V.R. pilots, the writer gratefully accepted the rear seat of a Harvard, scheduled for low-flying practice in the afternoon. To the pilot—Lt. M. R. H. Shippey—he is indebted for an intimate knowledge of the Oxfordshire railway system and of the grassy hill-tops which abound in the practice area. With a newly installed engine the Canadian-built Harvard cruised for an hour at 150-160 m.p.h. on a mere 1,800 r.p.m. Extreme manoeuvr- ability and tractability have made the type as popular among Naval pilots as in R.A.F. units, and until Balliols or Athenas reach Reserve" units some years hence it will continue to serve. H. F. K. R.N.V.R. RECRUITING JP ORMER Naval Airmen who have served in aircraftcarriers and at naval air stations are urgently needed for part-time service in the R.N.V.R.'s four Air Squadrons,at Culham ; Bramcote, near Nuneaton ; Stretton, near Warrington ; and Abbotsinch, Glasgow. Men are requiredto enrol in the following categories ; air frame, engine, and electrical maintenance ratings ; ex-seaman ratingswith the air non-substantive qualifications of safety equipment, aircraft handlers and meteorologists ; alsoex-seaman ratings employed as aircraft handlers before the introduction of the non-substantive rate ; photograph-ers and supply assistants (air). Full details of service may be obtained from Commanding officers of the nearestof the four air stations.
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