Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 4, 2022 22:51:40 GMT 12
From the New Zealand Herald, 8th of November 1932.
THRILLS IN THE AIR
CRASH AT 4000 FEET
NEW ZEALANDER'S NERVE
TWO OFFICERS' NARROW ESCAPE
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] LONDON, Oct, 7
Flying-Officer A. E. Clouston, of the Royal Air Force, a New Zealander, who comes from Westport, had a thrilling experience in the air recently. His machine, a Hawker Fury, the fastest interceptor in the world, was one of nine flying in a squadron formation when the signal was given to change formation.
A machine of another flight came up immediately under that of the New Zealander and crashed. It was piloted by Flying-Officer F. R. R. Dunworth.
The two machines stuck together for some time, and then parted. The right wing of Mr. Dunworth's machine broke off and became entangled with the Hawker Fury. Its pilot jumped in his parachute and landed safely, suspended from some telephone wires. His machine crashed a few yards away, and became a tangled mass.
Mr. Clouston's machine became uncontrollable with the wing of the other machine entangled about it, and went into a spin. The crash had occurred at 4000 ft., and at 2000 ft., the New Zealander had decided to jump out, but changed his plan and made a last attempt to get the machine under control.
He found that by flying upside down he had some control, and that by stalling in the inverted position and using sudden vigour the obstruction moved from his wing top to about the centre of his machine, and so gave him a certain amount of control.
Changing to the right way up, he found that with a full engine he could just maintain height. As his propeller was almost broken to pieces, the half that remained caused the Hawker Fury to vibrate terrifically. Under these conditions, and with his machine flying with the left wing down, he managed to limp back to the aerodrome at Hawkinge, Kent, but had to fly around several times until he received a signal from the ground signifying that his wheels were intact.
After this it was possible to make a perfect landing with the aid of his engine. His machine was severely strained, the fabric was torn in many places, only about half the propeller remained, and nearly all the spokes of the wheel were broken. Mr. Dunworth, when found, was suffering from shock and a slight cut; he was motored back to Hawkinge Aerodrome.
Mr. Clouston arrived in October, 1930, and was granted a short service commission. He trained at Grantham, Lincolnshire, where he became acquainted with a variety of aeroplane types. Since being posted to Hawkinge, he had been chosen several times to give aerobatic displays for local flying clubs and Army manoeuvres.
THRILLS IN THE AIR
CRASH AT 4000 FEET
NEW ZEALANDER'S NERVE
TWO OFFICERS' NARROW ESCAPE
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] LONDON, Oct, 7
Flying-Officer A. E. Clouston, of the Royal Air Force, a New Zealander, who comes from Westport, had a thrilling experience in the air recently. His machine, a Hawker Fury, the fastest interceptor in the world, was one of nine flying in a squadron formation when the signal was given to change formation.
A machine of another flight came up immediately under that of the New Zealander and crashed. It was piloted by Flying-Officer F. R. R. Dunworth.
The two machines stuck together for some time, and then parted. The right wing of Mr. Dunworth's machine broke off and became entangled with the Hawker Fury. Its pilot jumped in his parachute and landed safely, suspended from some telephone wires. His machine crashed a few yards away, and became a tangled mass.
Mr. Clouston's machine became uncontrollable with the wing of the other machine entangled about it, and went into a spin. The crash had occurred at 4000 ft., and at 2000 ft., the New Zealander had decided to jump out, but changed his plan and made a last attempt to get the machine under control.
He found that by flying upside down he had some control, and that by stalling in the inverted position and using sudden vigour the obstruction moved from his wing top to about the centre of his machine, and so gave him a certain amount of control.
Changing to the right way up, he found that with a full engine he could just maintain height. As his propeller was almost broken to pieces, the half that remained caused the Hawker Fury to vibrate terrifically. Under these conditions, and with his machine flying with the left wing down, he managed to limp back to the aerodrome at Hawkinge, Kent, but had to fly around several times until he received a signal from the ground signifying that his wheels were intact.
After this it was possible to make a perfect landing with the aid of his engine. His machine was severely strained, the fabric was torn in many places, only about half the propeller remained, and nearly all the spokes of the wheel were broken. Mr. Dunworth, when found, was suffering from shock and a slight cut; he was motored back to Hawkinge Aerodrome.
Mr. Clouston arrived in October, 1930, and was granted a short service commission. He trained at Grantham, Lincolnshire, where he became acquainted with a variety of aeroplane types. Since being posted to Hawkinge, he had been chosen several times to give aerobatic displays for local flying clubs and Army manoeuvres.