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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 2039.PDF
70 FLIGHT NAVAL AIR DAY AT BRAWDY AVERY large number of spectators attended the Naval Air Day at Royal Naval Air Station Brawdy (H.M.S. Goldcresi) in Wales, last Saturday. Ten thousand people were present last year, for the first display since the station was reopened, but this year there wer-e between 32,000 and 35,000—and cars still arriving at 4.3Q/p.m. had to be turned away. The display they came to see was well up to the standard one has come to expect of the/Fleet Air Arm, both in the static park and in the air. The weather was not at its best, but with a 3,000ft cloud-base and some 15 miles' visibility the programme was carried through according to plan. A Meteor 7 opened the proceedings by towing a banner announcing the station's welcome1 to the audience. Then three Sea Venoms from the recendy formed No. 890 Sqn, led by Lt-Cdr. A. Gordon-Johnson, gave a cfemonstration of formation flying, making their last "pass" with vyfiite trails of jettisoned fuel streaming from their tip-tanks. A Sabre from North Luffenham piloted by F/L. Moore came to dispel the mist (metaphorically speaking) with a sonic bang which, though it arrived accurately on the end of the runway in use, was not quite so plainly audible in the public enclosure. J An impressive event was a stream take-off by 41 aircraft from six different squadrons. No. 814's Avengers started the ball roll ing and were followed by/ No. 810's Sea Furies, No. 826's Fireflies (these with rocket,«assistance), No. 801's Sea Furies, and Furies and Fireflies froai the R.N.V.R. Squadrons based at Stretton and Bramcote. One Fury had engine trouble and aban doned its take-off, but sapid marshalling kept the stream moving with the minimum of delay. While these aircraft were grouping for a massed fly-past, a Hastings from Abingdon demonstrated three-engined flying, feathering one after another of its engines. The Hastings having resumed four-engined flight and taken its departure, the six squad rons reappeared ranged in good order, although they had not previously flown together. A subde variation in the helicopter rescue theme was introduced when an S-51 Dragonfly (Lt. W. R. Sherlock) picked up a "child" and returned it to its "parents"; C.P.O. Bigmore, the P.T.I., appropriately attired for the part, was rescued from the roof of a hangar and carried on the end of the winch cable to be deposited in the parental arms. Meanwhile the large formation had changed its order of batde and now returned to "bomb" a specially con structed tank. This was properly destroyed by a direct hit—an internecine explosion, since the crowd was too close for the use of real bombs. A flight of three Gannets from No. 703X Sqn, still compara tively rare birds, demonstrated the great variety of "clean" and "dirty" configurations they have at their command, including a landing and wing-folding sequence. They then turned about and took off for their home base. The piece de resistance was next heralded by the "box four" formation take-off of No. 898 Squad ron's Sea Hawk aerobatic team, led by the Squadron's CO., Lt-Cdr. D. G. Parker. Their performance was restricted, but not marred, by a cloud ceiling which was too low for vertical manoeuvres. "In the box" was Lt. D. W. P. Kelly, and after the formation landing he turned about and took off forthwith to give the individual display for which he is jusdy well known. Providing contrast to the roar of the Sea Hawks was the silent *V "Flight" photograph Airlifting of "infants" by helicopters was a feature^ both the Naval Air Days. Suspended from this Dragonfly, at Lossiemouth; ts a well-built child wearing woollen rompers and about two years' growth of beard. grace of sailplane aerobatics performed by Com. Pit. Cox in a Grunau from the top of a Tiger Moth aero-tow. More markedly gravity-bound was Mr. A. Harrison, who made a parachute jump from an aircraft of a kind unorthodox in such a context—the S-51. A Tiger Moth and an Auster in competition then put paid to the gravity-defying efforts of most of a series of met. balloons. Jet propulsion finally reasserted itself with a demonstration by two R.A.F. Canberras, one from Marham, the other from Binbrook, and the day was brought suitably to a close by a formation fly-past by the two resident Sea Hawk squadrons, Nos. 898 and 807, led respectively by Lt-Cdr. Parker and Lt-Cdr. P. J. Hutton. ... and at Lossiemouth CATURDAY was also Air Day at Lossiemouth (H.M.S. ^ Fulmar), in North-West Scodand, the base of two Sea Hawk squadrons and the centre,jo#1SIaval fighter training. "Lossie" lived up to its reputation for1 good flying weather and the two- hour air display was watched by a large crowd. Highlights in cluded a formation loop by seven Sea Hawks of 804 Squadron, and aerobatics on two, one and no engines by Sea Hornets with drawn from storage especially for this occasion. We hope to publish an illustrated report next week. Squadrons of Sea Hawks, now fully operational, are based at Lossiemouth arid Rrawdy. Those shown be long to No. 804, command ed by Cdr. £. M. Brown and stationed at "Lossie " "Flight" photograph
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