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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 2095.PDF
103 FLIGHT, 23 July 1954 SCOTTISH VARIETY An Air Day Visit to the Fleet Air Arm at Lossiemouth M "ANY of the visitors to R.N.A.S. Lossiemouth (H.M.S. Fulmar) onAirDay,July 10th,had made long rail or road journeys to this important Fleet Air Arm station. So much was evident from the size of the crowd, con sidered in relation to the isolated nature of the district. We ourselves travelled well over 400 miles to watch the display, but since we were lucky enough to be given a ride on a Meteor trainer flying between Ford and "Lossie," the journey was no hardship. With Lt. Jude of the Royal Australian Navy at the controls, the trip took little longer than the coach ride between London Airport and Waterloo. On arrival, we spent just long enough in the circuit to notice that the station is set in pleasant, pastoral surroundings about a mile from the Moray Firth. Downwind, our attention was divided between Gordonstoun—where H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh was at school—and a stream of seven Sea Hawks settling on the 9,000ft main runway. In addition to being the centre of Naval fighter training, Lossiemouth has quite recently become the base for two Sea Hawk squadrons—Nos. 804 (Cdr. E. M. .Brown, O.B.E., D.S.C., A.F.C., M.A.) and 802 (Lt-Cdr. D. M, Steer). Both squadrons' pilots are extremely pleased with"'their new aircraft, particularly from the viewpoints of spee*f and range. Official performance figures are still restrictecLrlkit we saw a placard in the static exhibition crediting this mm, sleek fighter with a top speed of 650 kt (which is perhaps Optimistic), landing speed of 105 kt, and fuel tankage of 573 gafidfns, giving a range of 1,000 miles. With or without powered tfilerons—both versions are in service at Lossiemouth—the Sea Hsfwk is reported to handle extremely well: one pilot described ..-ft as "an old gentleman's aeroplane," and another said that the first familiarization flight leaves an impression of 100 hours' type-experience, so well arranged is the cockpit layout, f With the exception of the Wyvern, Gannet and Sea Venom, most types of Naval aeroplane are operated or stored at Lossie mouth. The accent, however, is on fighters, for it is here that •^ ' ¥::--"-:;';';L;-::' all the Navy's fighter pilots receive their pre-squadron training. On completion of their basic course with the R.AJF. at Syerston, students are posted to No. 749 Squadron (Lt-Cdr. D. R. O. Price, D.F.C.), whose equipment includes the first Vampire Trainers —T22s—to enter Naval service. This unit also provides jet conversion courses for pilots experienced on piston-engined fighters. The next stage, before posting to a front-line squadron, is a course of advanced training, including combat, gunnery and deck landing, in the Meteors and Attackers of No. 736 Squadron (Lt-Cdr. A. R. Rawbone, A.F.C.). The importance of this squadron's role is underlined by the news that its Attackers are about to be replaced by the latest mark of Sea Hawk fighter-bomber. Another L6ssiemouth squadron, No. 738 (Lt-Cdr. J. Robertson) "Flight" photographs A Neptune from nearby Kinloss arrives for a demonstration of its reverse- pitch airscrews. The two Sea Hornets (above, left) are performing a formation roll on one Merlin apiece—an effective maneeurrecalling for very precise handling of engines and airframes. is occupied largely with converting American-trained pilots to "the British way of life." In addition to acquainting students with unfamiliar cockpit layouts, engines, terminology and procedures, the squadron provides them with operational training to fit them for carrier service. These tasks it accomplishes with Sea Furies, Vampire Trainers and Sea Hawks. No. 738 also operates the Navy's only instrument flying school. / In addition to the varied equipment of the resident squadrons, Lossiemouth has its own communications aircraft, two Meteors for target towing, and three Dragonfly haficopters. Although their primary role is search and rescue, the "choppers" are kept permanently busy with all kinds of unexpected duties. In the static exhibition we saw one Dragonfly with a placard recording its work in the Dutch floods: "192 vigtims saved." Just before the display began the other two appeared over the airfield, one carrying Vice-Admiral The Mackintosh of Mackintosh, its escort flying a large white ensign. An impressive figure with kilt, plaid, bonnet and cromach, the Vice-Admiral mounted a rostrum and declared the Air Day open. The first act was a simulated dog-fight by four Vampire 22s of No. 759 Squadron, emphasizing the manoeuvrability of these versatile trainers. Next a vigorous performance from five 736 Squadron Attackers, which may soon be transferred to the R.N.V.R. There was an impressive climax to this polished, well- timed aerobatic act: two Attackers landed in opposite directions on the long runway, two more landed together downwind and, as they pulled up at the intersection with wings folded, the leader touched down between them. Peter Rayner then jumped—from a Dragonfly—to add one more parachute descent to his total of 200-odd, setting off again soon afterwards by Vampire Trainer on the first stage of a journey to France, where he took part in the World Parachuting Championships. Possibly because of its split jet-pipe arrangement, the Sea Hawk "Flight** photograph Lossiemouth's Air Day was formally opened by Vice-Admiral The Mackin tosh of Mackintosh, C.B., D.S.O., D.S.C., D.L. This view from the tower shows the opening ceremony and (background) the static park, which included the Hellcat used as a personal "hack" by Capt. J. A. levers, O.B.E., Commanding Officer at Lossiemouth.
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