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Aviation History
1951
1951 - 0440.PDF
274 FLIGHT OPEN DAY AT BENSON Exhibition of latest photographic-reconnaissance methods ; Meteor P.R.lOs in squadron service (Illustrated by "Flight" Photographs) W/C. Thompson, O.C. Photographic Wing at Benson, introduces theMeteor 10 to (left to right): Mr. Arthur Henderson, Sir Hugh Lloyd, Sir Ralph Cochrane and Sir Arthur Sanders. THE application uf aerial photography to intelligenceand survey was the theme of an unusually compre-hensive exhibition held at Benson R.A.F. Station in Oxfordshire on February 28th. For its 450 guests, Bomber Command, which administers this centre of R.A.F. photo- graphic activity, provided a static display of "S.B.A.C." pro- portions and a flying programme on a more modest scale, though fully up-to-date. Those present represented Indus- try and the services of the Commonwealth, America and Western Union; and the air attaches of 15 nations also attended (the Yugoslav emissaries had, it was said, been "cleared by Security"; no true satellite of Moscow was invited). Mr. Arthur Henderson, the Air Minister, was there, together with Air Chief Marshal Sir Ralph Cochrane, Vice-Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sir Arthur Sanders, Deputy C.A.S.; and Air Marshal Sir Hugh Lloyd, A.O.C.- in-C, Bomber Command. The resident units at Benson, which was formerly known as the Central Photographic Establishment, are one survey squadron and two short-range day reconnaissance squadrons. Ansons equip the survey unit, one P.R. Squadron still uses Mosquito 34s, and the third squadron has now converted from Spitfire 19s to Meteor 10s. For many, the presence, in squadron service, of the new jet reconnaissance aircraft was one of the most interesting and reassuring aspects of the exhibition. About a dozen Meteor 10s were to be seen. One, in the static exhibition, bore the badge of No. 541 Squadron (motto: Alone above All) and its camera installations were laid bare. For oblique photography, an F.24 camera is mounted in the nose; mountings and windows are arranged In flight, the Meteor 10 displays its extended wing-tips and external fuel-tanks; oblique and vertical cameras are carried in nose and mid-fuselage. Re-equipment of P.R. units of the R.A.F. is illustrated by this squadron line-up of Gloster Meteor 10$ at Benson.
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