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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0966.PDF
120 FLIGHT, 24 July 1953 • • . •"•"-,' .•.•.. • • •. .-..••..• ••:. •• • •••••• • . • ' ..••:••.'• THE QUEEN'S REVIEW . . . head as usual . . . leaving you at the gate." He was referring, of course, to the Leavesden "gate." Finally, some wise words came from the Station Commander (G/C. N. C. Hyde, C.B.E.), who was to lead. Remarking that this day was the climax of weeks of organization and hard practice, he reminded the crews that the formation would be watched all along the route, particularly from the "gate" onward. "It's up to us to put up a good show, chaps. . . . Any questions ?" And now there is just over an hour to go before take-off. The pace quickens; the wagon arrives and we are off to dispersal. Time for some probing questions. S/L. Crampton says the Canberra is first-rate to fly in formation—"a slice of the old gateaux, in fact," the Avons responding to power changes immediately. Again the cockpit heat is mentioned as being likely to be the main discomfort; somebody has measured something like 130 deg F. One wonders if it's really as bad as they say. Then a word with the ground crew. Do they prefer Canberras More fly-past sequences in "Flight" photographs: Top left, Balliols; top right, Vo/ettos; lower left. Varsities; above, Sunderlands. At the foot of the page are Lincolns (left) and Washingtons. to piston-engined types? But they have only worked on Can berras. Heigh-ho; we must be growing old. Time flies, and so must we. F/Sgt. "Geordie" Ross, and the squadron nav. leader, F/L. Harry Rumble, D.F.C., are coming with us—all seats full today ! Installed on the "rumble seat" (which is not the personal property of the aforementioned officer) we hear the entry-hatch close with an utterly final slam. The port starter-cartridge fails to fire and precious minutes go by . . . But now both engines are running, though one can hardly believe it—there are only slight tremors to be felt. Rolling . . . vari coloured Canberras moving wherever we look; there's a whole gaggle on the runway . . . one minute to go . . . all stationary, waiting . . . 1509 hr 35 sec ticks up and the leader rolls. The big show is on ! Two . . . three . . . four ... up alternate sides of the runway ' jjjfcw***
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