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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0492.PDF
FLIGHT, 17 April 1953 fA/RCY MAY I9i» B AT Tie - APRIL 1940 A VR0 MANCH£ST£R 19 4 0 No. 207 Squadron congratulation from Lord Trenchard, saying it was the "most wonderful flying yet seen." On returning to Eastchurch the squadron went into training for the bombing trials against H.M.S. Agememnon. The author of this history was privileged to watch these trials from H.M.S. Champion. It was wonderful to see the old battleship steaming along entirely under radio control while the aircraft appeared at fleeting intervals between the clouds. A number of hits were scored. What stands out most in one's memory of this event, however, is that Champion was swept by a huge wave which poured through the open skylights of the wardroom, where the assembled visitors were being entertained. The squadron now having R/T., it is not surprising to read of further complication creeping in. During October 1924, a lecture on D/F. by F/L. Oddie was listened to with considerable interest by the pilots, who were given, a practical demonstration by a special Bristol Bulldog. Air-to-ground range, W/T. 20 miles, R/T. 5 miles; air-to-air range, W/T. 5 miles, R/T. 1 mile—these were the average results. Again in 1925 the squadron moved up to Spittlegate for the R.A.F. Display rehearsals, and again bombing trials were made against the old Agamemnon. Bombing runs were made at 14,000ft, 12,000ft, 8,oooft, and 4,500ft. Two direct hits were recorded. In September of the same year the big army manoeuvres took place, and No. 207 was part of "Mercia's" forces. In the three-day "war" its main duties comprised long-distance recon naissance and bombing raids. Towards the end of 1925 the issue of parachutes to the squadron was begun, and by December there were sufficient to equip each aircraft. Records state that "No practice jumps were attempted owing to bad weather" ! Early in the new year the squadron lost SI. Gaskell Blackburn as its C.O. He was promoted to wing commander and assumed command of No. 9 (Bomber) Squadron. S/L. J. G. Graham, M.C., A.F.C, took over. Another trip to Spittlegate, for three weeks, to practice for the Display came in June 1926; and, while the squadron received commendation from high places on its performance, the diary records the words of a newspaper corres pondent, "it was all very pretty but not very new." The squadron, too, was becoming tired of its war-time flying equipment, which was old in years and short in numbers. The first Fairey IIIFs—three-seaters with Napier Lion VB engines—arrived from Henlow and the Fleet Air Arm at Gosport in December and January 1928. The two distinct types, under serial letters J and S, can be seen in the photograph on page 489, taken by the author in 1928. With the new aircraft No. 207 forsook their old companions in the R.A.F. Display and practised wing formations with Nos. 11 and 12 Squadrons at Andover. In December 1928 came another change of command. S/L. Graham, promoted to wing commander, left to command Tang- mere, where No. 1 and 43 Squadrons were stationed. S/L. E. A. Beaulah came from H.Q. Air Defence of Great Britain (now Fighter Command) to take over No. 207. Normal peace-time training continued throughout 1929, but it is interesting to read a comment in the squadron diary regarding the affiliation exercises held that year with No. 19 Squadron. "The exercises," it says, "again showed the fighter aircraft not to have sufficient superiority of speed over the fast day-bomber." The IIIFs had a top speed of 140 m.p.h. and No. 19 Squadron's Siskins a maximum of about 150 m.p.h. ! The ship target for 1929 was the Centurion, and from September 9th to nth the squadron—together with a special composite flight of No. 7 Squadron—took part in the bombing trials under the command of G/C. J. T. Cull, D.S.O., who, in 1916 had cam- On Turkish soil: One of the squadron's D.H.9As with long-range tanks does a little exhibition bombing to impress the local populace. S/L. A. W. Tedder, later to become Chief of the Air Staff, with one of his flight commanders at San Stephana airfield, Constantinople, in 1922. paigned with the No. 7 Squadron, R.N.A.S., operating in East Africa. The bombing results were very good—of 156 bombs dropped no fewer than 29 hit the Centurion. Despite this accurate bombing the squadron could not do better man get placed sixth in the Lawrence Minot Trophy contest. It was, however, second among the day-bomber squadrons. As was usual in those days, the end of annual training brought the leave period, and while this was in progress in 1929 the IIIFs were all fitted with Handley Page automatic slots. On return from leave the unit moved to Bircham Newton. Yet another change of command came in 1931 : S/L. Beaulah was posted to H.Q. Wessex Bombing Area and was succeeded by S/L. J. W. Woodhouse, D.S.O., M.C., who came from No. 55 Squadron in Iraq. In August of 1932 the IIIFs were taken to practice camp for the last time before being replaced by Fairey Gordons. With the IIIFs the following squadron records were made : Bombing from 6,000ft, 37.7 yd; from 10,000ft, 43 yd; from 14,000ft, 37.7 yd. Air Firing ; Best front gun score, 98.5 per cent; crew test, 77.5 Knee-deep. The appalling conditions on the airfield at San Stephano during the winter of 1922. The hangar has given up an unequal struggle. Even in fine weather, servicing conditions at Constantinople were bad. Canvas hangars with earth floors provided the only cover available.
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