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Aviation History
1950
1950 - 1331.PDF
FLIGHT, 13 July 1950 neatly executed by the two instructor-pilots (F/L. Byrne andF/L. Garner, D.F.C.). The Cooper Trophy Race.—With a handicap of 5 min 13sec F/O. K. N- Haselwood (No. 600 Squadron, Meteor 4) had just become airborne as the slower entries completed theirfirst lap. Cornering technique was, as always, varied, but the finish was excellent. The Spitfires appeared first over thetrees with the Vampires overhauling them rapidly, and then the Meteor 4 came as if from nowht*e to shriek over theline one second ahead of F/O. E. B. Smith (501 Squadron. Vampire 1), who was followed into third place^by F/L. J. E.Storrar, D.F.C. (603, Spitfire 22). The winder's speed was 511 m.p.h., and the Cooper Trophy thus passes from No. 502(Ulster) Squadron to No. 600 (London) Squadron. Air Drill by 12 Auxiliary Vampires and 14 Auxiliary Spit-fires was Saturday's substitute for the Cooper Trophy Race. Conditions were by no means perfect, but station-keeping wascommendable. Squadrons represented were: Vampires—601 (County of London), 604 (County of Middlesex); Spitfires—613(City of Manchester), 6ro (County of Chester), 611 (West Lanes). Chipmunks in Unison.—Although the University squadronsand several Reserve Schools have their Chipmunks, these attractive little trainers are still something of a novelty. Theirsprightly performance was, therefore, the more appreciated. Synchronized aerobatics by F/Ls. I. D. Roxburgh and H. R.Gibbons, both of C.F.S., made it apparent that "Chips" are as willing and rather more able to tackle aerobatics withinclose confines than are the Tigers they replace. Vampire Individual Aerobatics were in the capable handsof F/Q. G. H. " Nick " Carter, A.F.C., of 247 Squadron. His was an especially smooth performance—rarely out of sight(save when a zoom climb took the aircraft into a cloud), and intimate without being unsafe. Veteran aircraft.—As befitted one of its breed, the 1916Sopwith Pup (G/C. A. H. Wheeler, O.B.E.) fairly leaped off the ground, to be followed by its ccm-temporary, the Avro 504K(G/C. L. S. Snaith, A.F.C), and those seemingly ante- diluvian curiosities, the 1911 Bleriot, 1910 Deperdussin, andit)i2 Blackburn—-all three flying strongly at the persuasion, respectively, of Lt. Cdr. J. K. Quill, O.B.E., A.F.C., Shades of Hendon : red, white and blue smoke traces the path of 54 Squadron's impressive aerobatic Vampires. W/C. T. D. Calnan, and S/L. G. Banner, D.F.C. The " 504 "was in astonishingly frisky mood and later made a Command appearance before Their Majesties.Individual Meteor Aerobatics by F/L. R. Emett of No 203 A.F.S. were cancelled on Friday because of the arrival of theRoyal party, but on Saturday they were given in full measure. Manoeuvres were "standard" other than an inverted climblike the third quarter of a bunt, but the precision of F/L. Emett's performance was exemplary. Pattern Flying by Hurvards.—It has been averred that theNavy sails past, the Army marches past, and the R.A.F. gets past as best it can; but we ourselves will not believe thatanything more impressive than the two events under this heading has been seen either at Spithead or on the HorseGuards Parade. All honour, then, to the 37 C.F.S. Harvard pilots, headed by G/C. G. D. Stephenson, C.B.E., A.D.C..for stamping "R.A.F." so boldly on the sky and inscribing the Royal Cipher in so fitting a tribute to His Majesty. Com-pliments, too, on the exciting and artistic formation break-up which concluded their exacting but so thoroughly worth-tvhiteperformance. Meteor Formation Aerobatics.—Starting their display witha climb in line-ahead changing into box formation, the Meteor team of No. 263 Squadron gave a magnificent show. Theirstation-keeping was perfect, and their lovely climbing barrel rolls, loops and rolls-off-the-top were quite beautiful to watchAt the end of each run-past, the team climbed and made an over-the-vertical turn to dive into their next manoeuvre. Attack on a Strong-point.—Two dug-in tanks on the airfieldproved too much even for an intrepid patrol of R.A.F. Regiment armoured rars, and air support was called up. Six dive- (Left) Inverted, Trevor Wade passes by at speed in the new Hawker P. 1081. Meteors of 66 and 92 Squadrons (below, left) are seen scrambling to defend the airfield ; and (right) 54 Squadron's Vampires take off in formation.
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