FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1954
1954 - 2218.PDF
187 (Upper) A Lockheed Neptune dispersed at Thorney Island. The baled hay is not anti-glider precaution. (Lower) Peaceful interception. The "lie de France," with crowded decks, proceeds on her lawful occasions. 50ft above the now almost dead calm sea. Facing aft, it was rather difficult to see our own target coming up; but in the last few seconds we saw one aircraft, about 500 yards to starboard, streak in at zero feet and appearing to be in some danger of carrying away the masts of its target ship. A flashing glimpse of the fore-deck of a frigate escort, puffs of A.A. guns, and we pulled away sharply, at the same time banking vertically to starboard. It was all over in what seemed a matter of seconds, and we were .Streaking away into the sun, making for Deal. ^r Soon we crossed the English coast, flying at 2,000ft and with our track lying just south of Ashford and over the Sussex Weald. As we flew over the undulating expanse of the South Downs north of Lewes, the other aircraft of the flight closed up into line abreast. Just north of Brighton, a solitary Tiger Moth serenely crossed our track, flying northwards, and a moment or so later we were overhauled by a formation of Wyverns of No. 813 Sqn. (also from Ford) who had attacked the same convoy as ourselves, and who were going in to land before us. We passed over Shoreham and the Adur valley, and in a few minutes came the order to break port for a stream landing. R.M.E. SUB-HUNTING BY NEPTUNE AIRCREWS of Coastal Command are accustomed to making - long and often uneventful flights over vast expanses of sea. Particularly is this true of submarine patrols, where the monotony of a flight of eight to twelve hours is relieved—if that be the word—only by a series of anti-climaxes such as tracing a radar contact 47 miles and discovering it to be a sizeable bunch of seaweed floating on the surface. And this was almost the case when I accompanied the cisew of Neptune R/L from a crack Neptune squadron (the C.Qi of which is S/L. Kerr) on its patrol from Thorney Island during Exercise Haul. It was a daylight trip, with the weather fair and the wind about ten knots, which left the sea quite calm. J On this occasion the crew numbered ten—two pikrts, two navigators, one flight engineer and five signallers,,<the last- named having a variety of radio, radar and gunnery duties. After briefing, during which time we learned that our patrol area was the "Southern Box"—roughly the southern half of the English Channel, between Dieppe and Cherbourg^—we collected flying suits, "Mae Wests," and other necessary paraphernalia. Take-off time was 1015 hr. Not 15 minutes, out we pounced on a surfaced submarine. Bad luck! It wajf flying a neutral flag. So, in the official vernacular "patrol was resumed." For short-range radar observation of anything up to approxi mately 50 miles, the aircraft remains at a fairly low altitude and flies slowly, going lower still only to investigate a contact which defies observation from the loftier poiition. After the sub marine incident radar contacts were numerous. Whatever the range and bearing, each one was ineticulously investigated. Mostly they were fishing smacks or coastal vessels but on several occasions they were bouys adrift and even a few seagulls on the water. "Tiny contact at bearing 225, rajige twelve miles, sir!" "Roger" comes back the reply from the captain over the intercom. The aircraft banks round on to bearing 225. "Contact dead ahead, sir. Range eleven miles . . . Range ten miles, sir . . . Nine miles ... Eight . . . Contact disappeared, sir!" The navigator is working furiously, plotting where the contact disappeared. Two signallers open the after-hatch and prepare a smoke marker and sonw-buoy for dropping. "Ten, nine, eight . . . two, one, now!" Away marker and buoy! The aircraft banks steeply to get into position for dropping a pattern of more buoys. Meanwhile the sono-set operator is listening in to the first sono-buoy. On this occasion no echoes were transmitted by the buoy. The disappointment was keen. There was much speculation as to what the object was, but no conclusion was reached. And so the parrol went on. About half way through, a welcome meal and tea was prepared on the galley hotplates. Good stuff this! Buttered toast, too! Nothing like a good meal to renew interest . . / More contacts, more fishing smacks. Here is a very large liner. "What is she?" The name painted on her bows turns out to be He de France. At 1915 hours, and just a little tired, we turn for home. No subs on this trip; but four kills so far this week by one squadron is excellent by any standards. Half an hour later we are back at Thorney, taxying along the perimeter track and oh, isn't it bumpy on the ground! CM.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
