robbo
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 90
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Post by robbo on Mar 22, 2012 21:27:54 GMT 12
Great stuff, good to see that; I've never seen it before. That caption might be out by only a year, because I think (could be wrong) the photo might have been taken at Hendon in 1936. I think the Farman last flew in 1938. When I said that the caption was out, I was referring to the BE2 caption on the FE2 photo above the Farman. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2012 21:29:19 GMT 12
I have consulted Kerry about this story told to us by Bill, and his memory is much the same. Bill and some of the squadron guys were preparing for an airshow, maybe for Empire Day he thinks. Kerry says he recalls Bill said they found a hangar with WWI aircraft in it and they decided to take them out. He reckons they got at least one flying and one pilot was doing aerobatics in it before they were found out by the commander who shut it all down. HKerry doesn't recall the type but I'm sure he said Maurice Farman, because I'd never heard that name before and it stuck in my head as it sounded like a man's name.
Bill's logbook reveals he flew at the World Empire Day at Donnibristle, Scotland, in November 1938. He also flew in the Empire Air Day at Upper heyford, 29 May 1937. Not sure which it would have been at but more likely the 1937 one I'd think?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2012 21:55:58 GMT 12
At the time when Bill told us that story it was novel, amusing and of medium interest. Now looking back I wish we'd asked him more and recorded it. I have just sent an email to Bill's daughter, whom I know, to see if she recalls him telling that story. It would be great if she does know more, and I'll report back if more details arise.
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robbo
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 90
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Post by robbo on Mar 22, 2012 22:51:15 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2012 23:10:21 GMT 12
Super shots Rob!
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Post by nuuumannn on Mar 23, 2012 12:13:25 GMT 12
Oops, didn't even notice that! Terrific images, although I've seen the three top ones before; they are taken at Hendon during one of the displays. Behind are some more of the Nash machines. Got any names for the blokes in the bottom shot?
Sounds good Dave; from what little I have on the aeroplane it was at Hendon Air Pageant on 27 June 1936 flown by Sqn Ldr D.V. Carnegie AFC. Flown again on 26 June 1937 at same event at Hendon. Flown on 27 April 1938 at Parliamentary Air Pageant at Northolt. There's no other mention of flights at other displays, although on 23 May 1936 the Empire Air Day was held at Brooklands, although the Farman is not recorded as flown. The Caudron G 3, which eventually went to Hendon was however, it was also flown at the Hendon Air Pageant in 1936.
A hangar of old WW1 aircraft sounds like Brooklands; there weren't too many places in the UK like that by the mid/late 30s. The Farman, Caudron and other Nash aircraft were based at Brooklands, but stayed at Hendon on occasion. The Farman took 30 minutes to fly from Brooklands to Hendon.
Acquired by Nash in 36. Nash Collection was purchased by the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1953. From the photos you can see its quite a big thing.
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Post by errolmartyn on Mar 23, 2012 14:30:11 GMT 12
Sounds good Dave; from what little I have on the aeroplane it was at Hendon Air Pageant on 27 June 1936 flown by Sqn Ldr D.V. Carnegie AFC. . . Carnegie later served as RNZAF CAS. From Colin Hanson's By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999: CARNEGIE, Air Vice-Marshal David Vaughan, CB, CBE, AFC, LofM(US), RAF. Born Scotland, 7 Feb 1897; RNAS/RAF 1917 to Jun 1954; Pilot. Chief of Air Staff RNZAF Jan 1951 to Feb 1954. Citation Air Force Cross (1927): Not available. Citation Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KB1945): Not available. Citation Legion of Merit (US) (Degree of Officer): (1945): Not available. Citation Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (NY1950): Not available. During WWI, as a Sub-Lt RNAS, carried out North Sea patrols. Served the RAF in the Mediterranean 1920-1924 with 202 and 207 flying boat Sqns, then engaged on flying-boat test and experimental duties 1924-1927, posted to the Far East Flight 1927-1928 and RAF Base Singapore to 1930. From Oct 1927 to Dec 1928 four RAF Southampton flying-boats flew in formation from England to Singapore, thence south to circumnavigate Australia, returning to Singapore before flying to Hong Kong via Borneo and the Philippines and back to Singapore via Indo-China and Burma. This formation flight ranked as one of the notable achievements in early aviation history. The captain of one of these aircraft was Flt Lt ‘Andy’ Carnegie, AFC, RAF. During WWII he was Director of Flying at the Air Ministry, 1943-1945, afterwards becoming Adviser to the UK High Commissioner, Canada and Head of the UK Air Liason Mission, 1945-1948, then AOC 18 Group RAF and Senior Air Force Officer, Scotland until posted for service with the RNZAF. Died Scotland, 3 Aug 1964. Errol |
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Post by fwx on Mar 23, 2012 15:13:14 GMT 12
I'm confused by the statement that it was built as an F.40 and then re-built as an F.141 - wasn't the F.141 a completely different aircraft, built in the '20's?
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Post by nuuumannn on Mar 23, 2012 16:00:30 GMT 12
Yep, two different aircraft. The confusing designation comes from the fact that the RAFM aircraft was built as the first F.40, but after modification it became an F/1, 41; a derivative of the F.40 with crew positions reversed. The F/1 (or F.1) indicates that the aircraft was rebuilt. Apparently there were a number of different variants of the basic F.40 design.
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Post by fwx on Mar 23, 2012 16:15:21 GMT 12
Thanks nuuumannn, that explains.
Cheers, Chris
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