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Aviation History
1959
1959 - 1567.PDF
766 FLIGHT SHOREHAM'S BIG DAY M, Opening of R.A.F.A. Air Week "FLIGHT" PHOTOGRAPHS A IR displays are tricky affairs to run, bothf^k for their actors and stage managers, at the *• •*- best of times; and when the airfield con-cerned is a small grass one tucked into the edge of a town, and visibility goes down to about twomiles in haze, the difficulties of production are intensified. Such were the circumstances atShoreham Airport last Saturday, when the Royal Air Forces Association opened its Air Week inBrighton with an afternoon's flying programme containing 26 items. This was the advertisednumber, and the number given, for though two items did not come off as planned (a KB-29tanker of the U.S.A.F. making its run-in on Lewes by mistake and a Whirlwind of the R.A.F. gettingslightly damaged) there were two extra ones at the end. Full marks, then, for this 100 per centscore to all concerned: to the pilots and para- chutists; and to the senior flying control officer,Mr. A. G. Down (who is now at Sywell but returned to Shoreham to take charge for theoccasion), and his staff. Not only did the display go off as planned, but scheduled Doves of Channel Airwaysarrived and departed during the programme. Despite the atmospheric uncertainties of the afternoon, with itslow cloud and haze keeping off the sun in a chilly and unfriendly way, a good crowd started to assemble around midday. By the timeit had reached peak numbers, officials estimated that there were 40,000 there; and every man, woman and child was well rewardedfor coming by an exhibition of piloting which reached the highest standards of skill. For the hazards which have already been men-tioned meant that each performer had rather more to concentrate upon than his normal routine. First, to locate the small andprobably unfamiliar airfield; then, to keep in contact with it during a demonstration at high speed in poor visibility; and all the timeto work without the familiar guidance of concrete runways on which to line up. Special credit is due to the three types ofV-bomber for putting in appearances. For crews used to working at altitudes of, say, forty or fifty thousand feet the low-level worldis an unaccustomed one; but with Bomber Command precision the Vulcan, Victor and Valiant each made a majestic entry and exit atShoreham. With splendid spontaneity the U.S.A.F. pilot of a Super Sabresummed up the airfield on the R/T as he passed over it as "Just a dirt strip, I guess." Not entirely complimentary to a municipalairport, but a realistic appraisal from someone used to miles of military concrete. But over this "dirt strip" came a number ofthe fastest military aircraft in service today—Voodoos and a Destroyer as well as the Super Sabres, Hunters of both FighterCommand and the Danish Air Force, and Javelins. None of the American types did anything spectacular, and the four Javelins ofNo. 46 Sqn. confined themselves to slow and fast runs and a peel- off, though the power and shape of these aircraft always make astrong impression; but the Hunters all gave highly individualistic performances. F/L. I. F. Weston of No. 229 O.C.U. demonstratedthe machine's solo aerobatic capability when in skilful hands; Treble-One Squadron, giving what they called their "flat" pro-gramme, showed that not even limited visibility can diminish the precision and dash of their splendid formation manoeuvres; andfour Hunters of the Danish Air Force gave neat proof of disciplined co-operation, especially in their line-astern flying. Their presence at Shoreham helped to underline the agreeablyinternational atmosphere of this R.A.F.A. display. It was opened by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, who arrived and departedpiloting his own four-star Dakota; and amongst the items he watched was an admirable demonstration by lst/Lt. A. J. de Wildeof the Royal Netherlands Air Force in a Fokker S.14 Mach- Trainer. This square-cut, rather solid-looking aircraft showeditself a graceful performer. The Dutch pilot began sensationally with a four-turn spin; then as one of his last manoeuvres, before The band of No. 45F (Worthing) Squadron, Air Training Corps, was inspected by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, who opened the show i "Treble-One Squadron . . . showed that not even limited visibility can diminish the precision and dash of their splendid formation manoeuvres" putting everything down and out for a slow fly-past, executed abeautiful stall turn. With Prince Bemhard in the V.I.P. enclosure were threemembers of the Air Council—the Secretary of State for Air, Mr. George Ward; the Vice-Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal SirEdmund Hudleston; and the Deputy C.A.S:, Air Chief Marshal Sir Geoffrey Tuttle. There too were Marshal of the R.A.F. LordTedder, president of the R.A.F.A., and Air Chief Marshal Sir John Baker, president of the display committee. They must all surelyhave been pleased with the R.A.F. participation at Shoreham, for its variety and high quality. It ranged in size from the V-bombers to a solo Chipmunk ofSouthampton University Air Squadron, flown with quite breath- taking agility by F/L. H. R. Lane; and as well as the Hunters itincluded a Canberra (of No. 50 Sqn., piloted by F/O. D. H. Bourne), a Beverley of No. 47 Sqn. (with F/L. R. D. Richards incommand and A.T.C. cadets as passengers) and Vampires and Jet Provosts. There was also a most capable demonstration of STOLflying by a Pioneer of No. 230 Sqn. from Upavon, in the hands of the squadron CO., S/L. W. J. Simpson. Vampires appeared twiceon the programme, a team from 5 F.T.S. at Oakington under the leadership of F/L. M. E. Y. Holmes exhibiting a polished forma-tion aerobatic routine, and F/L. D. F. Moffatt putting on a good- looking solo turn. As current holder of the Wright Jubilee Trophy
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