I suppose the big achievement for the year has been the drawing up of the tail plane, which is now under construction. The problem here was, as usual, the lack of original drawings, and to add to the confusion, three different shapes shown on plan views in the Air Publication manual. Luckily one of these compared very closely with a drawing in August 2002 the publication compiled by A.H. Lukins “The Book of ”. The recent arrival at ply covering on the rear of the Welcome to our latest the museum of a very fine scale starboard side of the fuselage Newsletter. model of the Martinet by Tony B which in turn will allow us to put also uses this version of the on the top ply. Please feel free to send us tailplane. any items of interest and The tail wheel and strut are now articles which may interest The arrival of our “New Boy” in position though they still our readers. Colin H, has been a great help need a bit of attention. My hope and his apprenticeship (he is to be able to lower the aircraft ENGINEERING UPDATE insists he is my apprentice) is temporarily onto its’ wheels progressing well. Colin’s latest perhaps by the end of the year. effort has been to produce the We will then know that we can MILES M.25 MARTINET ribs for the tail plane, (see move it around if necessary. RESTORATION PROJECT photo), and Dennis H is now in the process of fitting these to I have recently found some very By Ian S the spars which are set up on interesting photographs that I the assembly bench in the think are worthy of being Looking back at the preceding workshop. I think we have also printed in our newsletter. The issues of our Newsletter is one managed to capture Ted P photographs portray workers way of assessing the true back from the Mini Link Trainer who were helping with the progress of this project. Time project for a time, where in fact construction of the passes so quickly, we we have all been helping out in 1939. It is especially sometimes tend to during the year. John Kite will interesting to see these, as they underestimate our be putting in a full report on this show some of the very items we achievements. as it now nears the last part of have been reproducing. What a the control system stage. wonderful comparison they The port side of the fuselage is make. now completely ply covered. Looking forward, I am hoping Part of the starboard side will we shall soon be finishing the The man working on the remain uncovered is also shown in his while we continue peacetime occupation with some of the of cabinet making. interior fitting out. Their skills were in This includes the great demand during control runs which the war years both by have now been set Miles Aircraft and de out. The rudder bell Havillands, where crank and many were also intermediate bell helping to build the crank assembly have Mosquito. now been fabricated and fitted.

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

By Geoff E

The Gannet has now been painted in its original colours scheme and final markings are almost complete. If we get any decent weather this summer we can finish this part of the project.

Despite our best efforts the vandalised rear canopy was We are at present finalising the beyond repair. We managed to control system and the control obtain a new canopy by electronics, this has caused us swapping a surplus forward a few headaches but is now canopy with the chaps who are close to being finalised. refurbishing their Gannet at Membury. Our next big problem is room to operate. We don’t have room in The next task is to restart the the hanger and it is most interior refurbishment. As you difficult to open the hanger probably know, the forward doors to get the aircraft outside cockpit instrument panel has every time we want to operate. already been rebuilt. We are As a result, a mini-portable hoping to make up the full hanger, to be sited outside the complement of instruments by museum, is being considered doing another swap with the THE MINI LINK TRAINER and the Woodley Carnival guys at Membury who need PROJECT committee have been asked if some propeller blades, we just they would help towards the happen to have some spare. By John K cost of purchase. The chaps have done a good The airframe is now fully Thanks are due to the following job of cleaning the Gannet. The completed and painted in its Wednesday Team lads who Herald lads have had a field final livery of red fuselage with ably assisted in this project day on their aeroplane and they white stripes and white wings both look very smart. with red stripes and is mounted Denis H on the bomb trolley. Ted P The chaps working on the Geoff E Student are now back with us The ‘trainer’ was entered in the Ian S and are carrying on with their Woodley Carnival on June 8th, Dick G monumental task of in the pilots seat we had Prince Brian H remanufacturing and repairing Charles and in the rear seat the John H parts of the aircraft which are Queen, who, as we proceeded Graham H either missing or damaged. This along the route waved to the Frank J is all being done without access crowd. John G to any drawings. I must say that Alan F I think they performing miracles Our entry was well received by considering the little information the spectators as indicated by Thanks are also due to Brian L that they have. applause as we banked round for his machining capabilities. the roundabouts and levelled Unfortunately the Herald out for the straights !! We also We have had two requests from donation box was ‘borrowed’ in had several people approach schools who asked if we could June. The box was eventually us and mention how nice it was hire out the trainer to them for found outside the Museum, to see something novel and their school fete. minus its contents. original in the procession.

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Margaret has been invited to the RAF stating that because of up the engine to clear the the Woodley Open Day in my absence I would be C.TED plugs, before taking off. Woodford Park on September (Ceased training) for flying, and 7th, and we are going to book a to report back to Cardington in On one occasion, I must have pitch in the marquee. This Jan 1943 to commence my put too much weight on my event, in conjunction with the proper service life. hand when jumping and I Woodley Horticultural Society, cracked the plywood fuselage. is held to promote interest in After a spell at Blackpool, After the pilot throttled back, I local organisations. Lots of where we had the usual drill ran to the cockpit and reported, other local organisations and weapon training, I was sent so that the flight exercise was display at this event. It is to Squires Gate, Blackpool, to aborted. worthwhile attending to promote train as a flight mechanic the museum and try to raise our engines. Another time, an aircraft was profile in the community. being taxied back to the flight Our intake was told that after and ran off the tarmac into soft our 16 weeks training we would ground. So a two-six was MARTINET AT WAR … AIR be posted overseas. So as I shouted, and all the spare FRAME MECHANIC was still under 21 yrs old, I mechs went to push. I got persuaded my parents to give under the wing and put my back By L.A.C. Charles Ashton permission to marry my fiancé, into the main plane and pushed as I was 4 months short of 21, upwards. I felt something crack, In 1941 at the age of 17½, I they did so, and we were and once again, I had damaged registered for military service at married on Dec 27th 1943. an aircraft so I was not very a church hall in St Albans, popular. which was the nearest depot to On my return to PDC my home town of Watford. Morecombe, we found that all However, on many occasions, Having witnessed some of the married men were to be taken we ground crew, were allowed air action which took place in off the draft (which incidentally to go up with the pilots the sky around London, I stated ended up in South Rhodesia) permission, when a fighter my preference would be with and I was posted to No 4 Air simulation exercise was being the RAF. Of course being Gunnery School at Morpeth, flown. This was good fun, young and impressionable I Northumberland, where I was because many of the pilots volunteered for flying duties, introduced to the . were on 6 months screening and the first choice would be after a tour of operations. They pilot. We had these aircraft on A really threw the Martinet around Flight and they were used as the sky, diving on to the Anson Some weeks later, I received a drogue target towers and also with the cadet gunners. The travel warrant, and orders to to simulate fighter attacker onto pilots tried to make us sick, but report to Cardington for medical the Anson aircraft of B Flight, luckily I never was. and aptitude tests for flying. crewed by the under training air gunners using camera guns. I enjoyed my 8 months at I was overjoyed to be told by Morpeth, working on the Bristol the board that I had been A mixture of both RAF and engine and the crowd of people accepted, but would be put on WAAF technicians worked on on A flight. I was also exalted to deferred service until later in the these aircraft, and I do not the high rank of L.A.C. whilst year, The snag was I was to remember having too much there. attend the local ATC unit twice trouble with the Martinet. weekly for aircraft recognition, In September 1944 I was once Morse and navigation. Then A Flight was quite a long again overseas. This time I one night each week at the taxiway from the runways, and ended up in Wangjing, Burma, local tech school for advanced a mechanic always had to cycle posted to 79 Squadron who maths. These arrangements to the end for an hour period to operated the P-47 Thunderbolt. did not fit in with my social and wait for the Martinet to taxi But that is another story… love life as I had recently round, then stop, waiting for the become engaged to be married. mechanic to jump and place our body over the fuselage by the The outcome being that later in tailplane, whilst the pilot revved the year I received a letter from

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FILM AND VIDEO ARCHIVE Hullavington. After several about 5 hrs actual recording months of enquiries I located time. By Alan L two early model SONY machines, Types VO-1810 and The history of the SPRITE Our video "The History of 1210 at St. Leonards-on-Sea needs considerable researching Berkshire Aviation and Miles for a nominal £10 each, both as many M.L. Aviation records Aircraft" which went on sale in with Instruction Books but no and much hardware were the Museum Shop in March guarantee as to working destroyed when they moved 2001 is selling well and we are condition. I spent a day from White Waltham. However selling our third batch of 100 collecting these bulky machines I have located and contacted copies. We have received kindly assisted by Bernard three ex MLA staff concerned several short Bareham. Subsequently one with the SPRITE programme. publicity/recruitment videos proved to be non-working from the R.A.F., without charge; (reason not ascertained) but They have all agreed to meet these provide good viewing for useful for spares. The other with me and they all have video our TV display in the plays back and so I was able to tapes of the Sprite. The first of refreshment area. start examining the SPRITE these; Professor Reg Austin, U-Matic tapes. invited me to his home at th We have acquired several items Bracknell on Thursday 27 of 16mm film equipment Then only a few days later I June and I had a very enjoyable towards making a self- was virtually given two SONY and most informative session contained facility in the late model machines Type 7404 with him lasting four hours. Museum. for a nominal £5. Again one is Reg had prepared an outline a) A pair of good quality in good running order and the history for my files and talked PREMIER rewind arms on a other only partly working. me through the whole of the good baseboard. Donated by However after making enquiries SPRITE programme; this was Bernard Bareham of the of SONY they very kindly most informative. He has Reading Film and Video promised to donate a full photographs of the early test Makers. Technical Manual for the Model beds and various versions od b) An excellent 5 ft tripod 7404. This was received on the SPRITE, which he will give screen as new. Donated by Mr 17th April. This should enable me later at a second meeting and Mrs Sawyer of Caversham me to service the second arranged for September. All of Heights. machine and then arrange this cooperation and c) An early model Bell & disposal of the two early information is most appreciated. Howell 16mm sound projector models. in working order with many I hope to follow up with the spares for a nominal £15. This Meanwhile I have received a other two contacts in due was sold to me by a member of non-working SONY Betamax course. the Edinburgh Film Society but I machine donated by a member had to collect it from of the Caversham Heights I wrote to Ian Thirsk, Curator of Buckingham where it was left Townswomens Guild. I shall Film at RAF Hendon, asking if by said member. attempt to get this working on there was any SPRITE material d) A later Bell & Howell low priority; we have no in their archive but they have 16mm projector (in substitution Betamax tapes awaiting none! Subsequently I received for the earlier Rank-Cintel Auto- attention. Examination of the an enquiry from their Load Model) 36 SPRITE tapes revealed that Department of Research and I am now seeking extra spare they were all of 30 minutes Information asking if we had lamps Type A1/91 1000 watts, duration but that only two or information as to what 240 volts for this machine. three were recorded for their full happened to MLA company length. There is a good deal of records when, as they put it, the During the year no more films repetition because of the nature firm went under. We are unable have been acquired but Jack de of many of the trials. I have to help; however they stated Coninck, known to many spent several sessions at the that they had received a "large members, donated 36 Low Museum transferring all of this collection" of papers from Band U-Matic video tapes of the material to standard VHS so I Marcel Lobelle in the mid 1970s early SPRITE trials which took can catalogue the contents as but they did not state what the place at White Waltham and convenient at home. There are contents are.

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An enquiry to the Wessex Film (Ref. AIR. 29 770A). As Phillips 2. The Unit, after and Sound Archive at & Powis were closely involved consultation between Air Winchester also revealed that with this Unit, it is felt to be Ministry and H.Qrs. Flying whilst they have a collection of appropriate to quote from this Training Command, was aircraft material they also have most interesting document, in eventually established in part of nothing on the SPRITE. order to complete the story of Messrs. Phillips & Powis Ltd.'s the R.A.F. Units at Woodley: factory at Woodley Aerodrome, Whilst I am waiting to gather in the Company agreeing to INTRODUCTION SPRITE information I propose provide accommodation, equipment, materials, labour, to start work on a basic script A little known R.A.F. Unit the services of a shorthand for a documentary video on the existed at Woodley Aerodrome typist, and to carry out the Dart Herald. I shall base this on from 1941. This Unit was called necessary work in conjunction the well researched book by the ‘Navigation Synthetic with and under the supervision Cowell. We have thousands of Training Development Unit’ and, of the staff of the Unit and to feet of 16mm film of various were it not for the valiant efforts the satisfaction of the Dart Heralds in different liveries of Josh Spoor, of The Miles Commanding Officer. Payment and locations. The problem will Aircraft Collection, who was on for these services was to be be marrying the film sequences the trail of the history of No. 8 made quarterly, based on the with the dates and locations in E.& R.F.T.S. at Woodley, at the actual expenses incurred. Cowell's book because P.R.O., Kew for the Hon Gen These proposals were set forth unfortunately very few of 'the Secretary of The M.A.C., he in Air Ministry letter dated 26th rolls of film have any might never have stumbled April 1941. information on the film or in the across a most interesting cans. Again patience is document on the complete 3. In consequence of the required. history of this Unit. above agreements, and after consultation between the C.O. Reproduced here serialised Addendum; and Phillips & Powis Aircraft form, this is probably the first Ltd., the Unit took possession time that this document will ever In early May; Mr. Mike Trickett of the available accommodation have been seen outside of the on the 7th May 1941. At this of Geelong, Victoria, Australia P.R.O. date, however, only the C.O. very kindly sent us two Service had been posted, and it Manuals; one for the SONY NAVIGATION SYNTHETIC transpired, therefore, that the U-Matic player Type VP-1210, TRAINING DEVELOPMENT work of the Unit began with the (one of our early acquisitions) UNIT. C.O., a shorthand typist, two and a Service Manual for our tables, two chairs and a SIX SYNTHETIC MONTHS SONY Recorder SL-C7EC so typewriter. Accommodation hopefully in due course we shall FORMATION AND FUNCTION. was plentiful, but the necessary be able to get one of our equipment thereof conspicuous Betamax machines "up and 1. Great importance by its absence. running" on low priority. Thank having been attached to you very much Mike; we methods of synthetic training for 4. The first fourteen days appreciate your help some time past, Air Ministry consisted of necessity in decided in April 1941 to form a acquiring furniture, paper, pens Unit within the establishment of and tools, the introduction of H.Qrs. Flying Training the civilian typist to the THE NAVIGATION mysteries of service filing SYNTHETIC TRAINING Command, which should have as its aim the development of procedure, in making certain DEVELOPMENT UNIT, contacts, and in learning the WOODLEY navigation synthetic training devices, with a priority for those system of work within the factory. The Navigation Synthetic devices applicable to basic navigational training. In the Training Development Unit was 5. At this time, Air Ministry words of Air Ministry letter formed by the R.A.F. at visualised the life of the Unit to dated 30th April however, "in Woodley on 7th May 1941, and be six months, and it was due course the work of the Unit details of its activities were hoped that the answers to should include the development described in a report issued by navigational synthetic training of synthetic devices for use the Officer Commanding the would be produced in this throughout all stages of Unit, Wing Commander J.J. period. The task allotted was navigational training". Owen, on 7th November 1941 undoubtedly formidable, the

August 2002 / Page 5

problems never having been was apparent that there was investigation was the A.M.L seriously tackled before, and always sufficient work to keep Teacher. After examination, the requirements were therefore one skilled workman fully however, it was apparent that divided into four parts: (i) Map employed, in addition to the the A.M.L. could not be adapted Reading, (ii) D.R. Navigation, jobs carried out in the for navigational purposes, and it (iii) Astronomical Navigation, Experimental Section of the was therefore decided to design including star identification, (iv) factory. Phillips & Powis Ltd. a device which would suit this incidental devices, particularly therefore agreed to allot one of particular branch of training. It in relation to furthering the aim their experimental aircraft should be noted here that work of (i), (ii) and (iii). erectors to work solely for the proper on this device did not Unit, and in this connection Mr. begin until mid-June, the Unit 6. By means of the "carte H. Harris was appointed on the being limited in staff, and not up blanche" given to the Unit, and 7th June 1941. to full strength until 1st August by the good graces and 1941. A further reason was the extreme helpfulness of Phillips DEVICES DEVELOPED. production of the D.R. & Powis on all occasions, a Instructor, details of which will reasonable start could almost 11. As stated in Para. 5 be found in Paras.19-25 below. be expected. Further help was above, the requirements for forthcoming, however, in that development were split into four 14. The device was built the majority of work for the Unit parts: the brief descriptions that round the principle of projecting was carried out in the follow are therefore of the on to a horizontal surface a true Experimental Section of the devices produced to meet these representation of the ground, to factory, and under an Air requirements, and are taken in a number of pupils that Ministry letter dated July 1941, the same order. In all cases, comprised the largest class of extreme priority was requested. however, it is important to bear the training establishments in mind one of the chief within Flying Training ESTABLISHMENT. difficulties in producing suitable Command. At the same time, devices, namely, to instruct a the device was to be elastic, in 7. Provision was made by large number of pupils at the order to cater for loss or greater the Air Ministry for the Unit to same time with one instructor. numbers. The device was consist of Officers, i.e. one Considerable efforts have also named the Air Navigation Wing Commander, C.O., one been made to keep the devices Instructor, and during its Squadron Leader Eng., and as simple as possible, easy for development it was found that it one Squadron Leader Nav. rapid erection and production at fell into several component The Officers to fill these posts low cost. parts, these being (i) the were notified in an Air Ministry projection system, (ii) the letter dated 20th April 1941 and (a) MAP READING transparencies which represent under Item 20 in the Minutes of the ground, (iii) the method of the 13th Meeting of Air Ministry Air Navigation Instructor simulating movement of the Synthetic Training Committee. ground, and (iv) 12. Experience has shown, W/Cdr. J.J. Owen was accommodation to house (i), and reports received from appointed as C.O. and he was (ii), (iii) and the pupils. posted to the Unit on 7/5/41. Operational Commands The other officers arrived from confirm, that one of the chief 15. It is not intended to 25/5/41. weaknesses of air crews is their detail the very considerable ability to map read under all research work that resulted 8. In addition to these conditions. This weakness is from this commitment, but Officers, the Unit was to consist further complicated by the fact answers were eventually found, of one shorthand-typist and that Empire-trained and Allied the results of which are that a draughtsmen as required, it crews are strange to the class of anything up to 25 being agreed that Phillips & peculiar topography of this pupils may be instructed, any Powis Ltd. should supply the country, and can only be course may be steered, any personnel. After certain instructed in this country. The winds utilised, the speed range development work, authority need for some device was is from 60 to 600 m.p.h. or in was also given for the therefore urgent, and recourse any ratio of 10 to 1, map engagement of one landscape was immediately given to reading may be given from six artist. Air Ministry letter dated existing devices or some device heights, namely, 2,500', 5,000', 31st. May 1941 refers. which could be adapted for the 10,000', 15,000', 20,000' and purpose. 30,000', and by regulating the 9. After the Unit had been light, daylight to dark may be 13. The first line of working for a short period, it simulated. Cross country flying

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may be carried out in triangular 17. After discussion PILOT OFFICER FISKE, form, straight flights, or over between Air Ministry and - 601 long distances - in fact, if H.Q.F.T.C., it was decided that Squadron transparencies existed that the prototype A.N.I. should be encircled the globe, a flight built at No.8 E.F.T.S., Woodley Pilot – Killed in round the world could be Aerodrome, and thus be under Action, 17th August 1940. carried out. Additional the direct supervision of O.C. experiments are in hand, and it N.S.T.D.U. This was most The proceeds of the Annual appears that it will be possible, convenient, and fitted in with Draw - 2002 at Tangmere by using filters, to represent the existing policy of placing the Museum Trust will go towards seasonal changes, and to carry device at E.F.T.S.'s, as the refurbishment of Pilot out such problems as confirmed under Item 9 of the Officer Billy Fiske's Memorial interception of aircraft and Minutes of the 18th Air Ministry Stone, in the churchyard of St ships. The device may, of Synthetic Training Committee Mary & Blaise, Boxgrove, course, be utilised for bombing, Meeting, which stated that the Sussex. but, as in all such devices, only device was a requirement for one man can bomb at a time. A navigation training at E.F.T.S.'s, At present the Memorial Stone further advantage is that A.O.S.'s, S's of A.N. and G.R. is illegible, it needs re-cutting or providing suitable Schools. maybe an exact copy of the accommodation is available or original family stone made. If built, a gallery may be placed 18. At the time of going to we can raise the required funds round three sides, so that press, the necessary portions of during 2002 this work can be should there be an exercise the prototype are rapidly taking completed in conjunction with proper in progress, the gallery shape, the projection system is the Church of St Mary & Blaise; completed, the carriageway is may be used for further it would be most gratifying if we instruction. under construction (these are could also achieve an ongoing being built by the Unit), one maintenance fund and also be 16. The necessary mock- transparency is finished, and able to improve the Billy Fiske ups of the device were made the Unit merely awaits two exhibit in the Museum. and experimental things - the lenses and the transparencies produced. In building. Regarding the former, Remember Winston Churchill's addition, the question of this is a slow and ticklish job, immortal words: housing the device was but the first three should be "Never in the field of human investigated, and a model ready in 14 days' time. The conflict was so much owed by erected by the 16th September building appears to be the main so many to so few". Pilot Officer 1941. In this respect, the difficulty, although part of it is Billy Fiske was one of the few. device may be erected in any available, a portion of an hangar providing overall existing hangar being used. Read on for a more detailed dimensions of 32' x 38' x 30' Pressure is, however, being story. high are available. On the 17th brought to bear, and it is hoped

September 1941, a that the prototype will be In the south-east corner of demonstration was given to available for demonstration in 4 Boxgrove graveyard there is a H.Qrs. Flying Training to 5 weeks time. fine headstone to the memory Command, and a further of Pilot Officer Bill Fiske. On demonstration to Air Ministry on To be continued ………. either side of his grave lie two the 23rd September 1941, a soldiers, a Sapper in the Royal preliminary booklet having been Engineers and a Corporal in the produced and distributed prior The Hon Gen Secretary of The East Lancashire Regiment. to both demonstrations. The Miles Aircraft Collection, Peter Amos, hopes that the Fiske's grave is distinguished result of these demonstrations by a small Stars and Stripes was that the Air Ministry called reproduction of this history will flag. This was the man whom Lt a conference which was held at revive old memories and perhaps, who knows, even Col J T C Moore-Brabazon the Unit on the 29th September (later Lord Brabazon of Tara) 1941. The conference agreed further recollections from ex honoured with the words in a members of the Unit. In fact, that the device was a newspaper tribute, "We thank anything appertaining to the requirement for navigational America for sending us the training, and its decisions are activities of the other R.A.F. perfect sportsman. Many of us recorded in the Minutes of the Units on Woodley Aerodrome would have given our lives for Conference, dated 1st October would be very gratefully Billy." 1941. received.

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So who was Billy Fiske, and champion. He led the bobsleigh outbreak of hostilities." He did why is he buried in Boxgrove team for the USA in the Winter not realise he was writing his churchyard, and what made him Olympics of 1928 at St Moritz, epitaph. He also knew when he so special that on the 4th July and at the 1932 Winter sailed from America that, as the (Independence Day) 1941 a Olympics at Lake Placid. At this regulations stood at the time, tablet in his honour was event, he carried the flag for the "no person, not a British citizen unveiled in the crypt of St Paul's Americans at the opening and a son of British citizens, Cathedral? At the unveiling, Sir ceremonies, presided over by could be eligible for any Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of Governor Franklin D Roosevelt position whatsoever in the Air State for Air, said "Here was a of New York. He was invited, Force". So he worked out a young man for whom life held but declined to lead the plan to pass himself off as a much. Under no kind of bobsleigh team in the 1936 Canadian of Canadian compulsion he came to fight for Winter Olympics. The Billy parentage. But, even so, he Britain. He came and he fought, Fiske trophy is named for him, found that joining the RAF was and he died." As simple as that! the youngest Gold Medal harder than he anticipated and winner, at the age of 16, in the it was luck and knowing the In September 1939, more than sport. right people which eventually two years before America got him an interview with a entered the War, Billy Fiske, an He was also a keen golfer, and high-ranking RAF Officer. We American citizen, joined the at Cambridge and Mildenhall he know he was nervous before Royal Air force, pledging his life became a well-known figure the interview as he records in and loyalty to the King, George driving to the golf course at high his diary that he played a round VI. At Tangmere, nearly a year speed on the long straight of golf at Roehampton to give later, aged 29, he redeemed roads, in his 4½ litre open himself a "healthy look". He that pledge. In those 29 years, Bentley, in British racing green, notes, "Needless to say, for Fiske, second American complete with bonnet-strap and once, I had a quiet Saturday serviceman in the RAF to lose projecting supercharger. He night - I didn't want to have his life in action, had always also managed to fit in a bit of eyes looking like blood-stained lived life to the full. He died a film making in Tahiti. oysters the next day." hero's death, surely the way he would have wanted to die, He learnt to fly at an aerodrome He passed his interview and full fighting the enemy in the form near London and married Rose, of the joy of life went on to No of a patrol of Junkers 87 about the former Countess of 10 Elementary Flying Training 12,000 feet above the Sussex Warwick, at Maidenhead in School, Yatesbury, Wiltshire. countryside, at the controls of a 1938. She remembers "the big After Yatesbury, Billy moved to Hurricane P3358. day when he was allowed to the Flying Training School at take me in an open two-seater Brize Norton, Oxfordshire and Fiske was born on 4 June 1911 (aircraft) in a flight to Le with his wife took a small house in Brooklyn, New York, the son Touquet which terminated at at nearby Minster Lovell. At of a wealthy banking family Deauville because of an oil leak Brize Norton on 12 April 1940 whose ancestors had gone to that spattered over the he became Acting Pilot Officer America from Suffolk in the windscreen and so hindered Fiske and on 12 July he was seventeenth century. He navigation. posted to No 601 (County of attended school in Chicago and London) Auxiliary Air Force followed his family to in Early in 1939 Billy was recalled Squadron at Tangmere. This 1924. He went to Trinity Hall, to his firm's New York office Squadron was variously known Cambridge in 1928 where he shortly before England declared as the Legionnaires and the read Economics and History. war on Germany on 3 Millionaires Squadron, for it had Billy packed a lot into the few September. An English friend, been at White's Club, St years between his stay at working in New York, Mr W P James's in 1924 that Lord Trinity Hall and his return to Clyde, an RAF reservist and a Edward Grosvenor selected England in 1938 for a spell at member of 601 (County of members of the Club to serve the London office of Dillon, London) Auxiliary Air Force under him in 601. Billy now had Reed & Co, the New York Squadron, talked him into one month to live. bankers. sailing back to England with him on the Aquitania on 30 August. At Tangmere there was some He was an accomplished In his diary Billy Fiske records apprehension in 601 about sportsman, well-known on the that “I believe I can lay claim to taking "this untried American Cresta run at St Moritz and for being the first US citizen to join adventurer ..." but Billy made no many years the unbeaten the RAF in England after the pretensions about his flying skill

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and was soon accepted. With The funeral took place on 20 RECOLLECTIONS OF THE typical gusto he threw himself August 1940. As thee coffin, APRIL 1949 CRASH OF THE into his training and on 20 July covered with the Union Flag FAIREY JET GYRODYNE he undertook two operational and the Stars and Stripes, was PROTOTYPE "take-offs" in quick succession borne on a bier to Boxgrove in Hurricane L1951 late in the Priory Church, the Central Band John R. Ward, Canada afternoon. An American, radio of the RAF played funeral commentator said in 1942 that marches. Overhead, the Battle In April of 1949 I was 15 years Billy Fiske, during his fleeting of Britain raged on. The coffin old and living with my parents in service with 601 destroyed six was borne into the churchyard Armour Hill, Tilehurst. I was a enemy aircraft, the first being a by six members of the ground student at Woodley Hill Heinkel. Billy enjoyed flying staff at Tangmere. Billy's Grammar School in Earley, as Hurricanes. No doubt the comrades, although they did was one of my best friends, aircraft, with 100 gallons of not land back at Tangmere until David Jones, the son of the petrol tucked away in tanks late that day, came with him on postmaster in Theale. I often close to the pilot seat and an his last journey to Boxgrove. cycled to Theale for fishing and engine capable of taking it up to swimming expeditions in the 335 mph reminded him of his Pilot Officer Billy Fiske, Royal Kennet river and in the gravel Bentley. Air Force, Sportsman, golden pits south of Theale. (That area boy, fighter pilot is rightly is now decimated by the M4!) Then came the last flight. On 16 honoured as the first American On this particular day in April of August Tangmere aerodrome Airman in British Service to die 1949 (I seem to remember it as was singled out for attack by in the Battle of Britain Many being a Sunday morning) I had German dive-bombers. The Americans followed him. By cycled to Theale just for the Operations Record Book of No 1941 there were enough pleasure of the ride and had not 601 Squadron records that he American pilots in the RAF to met up with my friend as I often took off in Hurricane P3358 at form three , did. 12.25 pm. Squadron Leader Sir Nos 71, 121, &132. Archibald Hope Bt led the I stopped on the Theale railway Squadron and they were bridge to watch the trains ordered to patrol over LECTURES AND VISITS (Steam trains were still in use Tangmere at about 12,000 ft. then.) I remember the Fairey The following talks and visits Gyrodyne passing almost The dive-bombers, Junkers 87, have been given and arranged directly overhead, flying west, at were seen to cross the coast by Jean. Thanks Jean ! a height that I would guess at east of Selsey Bill. When the around one thousand feet or a Stukas, as they were called, 1st March, Visit, Hants & Berks little more. It seemed to be started to dive on Tangmere Motor Club following the A4 road. In those and after several sharp 11th March, Talk, Gosbrook days helicopters were not a individual combats, known as Road, Caversham common sight and I watched its dog fights, the enemy were 18th March, Talk, Thatcham flight with interest. When the eventually chased out over the Historical Society helicopter was about two miles coast around Pagham Harbour. 5th April, Visit, Mathematical away I remember seeing the Association craft suddenly start to spiral When the Hurricanes started to 8th April, Museum open for towards the ground, where it land back at Tangmere, Billy Miles and Handley Page disappeared from sight behind Fiske's Hurricane was seen "to Reunion trees. This was followed almost glide over the boundary and 14th May, Talk, Emmer Green, immediately by the appearance land on its belly." The Emmer Green TWG of black smoke. Operations Record Book stated, 6th June, Talk, Woodley, "Pilot Officer Fiske was seen to Woodley TWG After a few minutes a yellow land on the aerodrome and his 16th September, Talk, Embrook, Automobile Association aircraft immediately caught fire. Wokingham TWG roadside repair van (very typical He was taken from the machine 24th September, Talk, of the time) happened to come but sustained severe burns ..." Wokingham A TWG St Pauls along and I waved the driver to He was taken to the Royal West 7th October, Talk, Woodley a stop and explained what I had Sussex Hospital in Chichester, Women’s Club seen. The smoke from the but died 48 hours later from 26th November, Talk, crash was very obvious by this shock. Wokingham Wok Afternoon time. I believe the AA man then TWG made a 999 telephone call from

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a phone box close to the bridge know much about Miles, End of School Half-Term and Theale station. (I think Handley Page or Fairey Aircraft, Opening there was still a station there). we offer excellent on the job He then offered to put my training ! Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 bicycle in the back of his van October 2002 and drive me to the crash site, Helping out at the Museum is a which we did. great way to feel involved and A last chance this year to visit you get to meet some great the museum. Find out more The Fairey Gyrodyne had people. about the 140 tonne Wood crashed in an upright position in printing press from Fleet Street, the middle of a field close to the If you are interested or want restored and re-assembled at A4, and there were many some more information please Wroughton, join in the family motorists who had stopped by feel free to contact me. With events and marvel at the vast the road or driven into the field, this newsletter you should find array of unique and incredible probably in the hope of the latest manning roster. objects from the furthest rendering assistance. My AA reaches of the national driver also drove right into the Trevor collections. Tractor and field where the wreckage was. It Email stationary engine was burning fiercely and the [email protected] demonstrations by members of two crew members were National Vintage Tractor & obviously unconscious and Engine Club (NVTEC}, and possibly already dead, although model aircraft displays by still strapped into their seats. It SCIENCE MUSEUM EVENTS, SMAC. Free vintage bus was impossible to get close to WROUGHTON service from STEAM museum, the wreckage. One rotor blade Swindon. was missing. It was several Heritage Open Days minutes before any emergency services arrived. The fire Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 Science Week Open Weekend brigade were able to subdue September 2002 most of the fire and remove the Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 bodies of the crew, but not England's biggest and most March 2003 before they had been badly popular voluntary cultural event, burnt. Some policemen started the museum and collections will Join the weekend of hands-on searching the woods nearby be open, showing off some of activities celebrating 100 years and soon discovered the other the World War II architectural of powered flight as we come to rotor blade which had obviously heritage of the site. The airfield the end of another busy become detached in flight. was opened in April 1940 to National Science Week. Visit modify and prepare aircraft for the air transport, aero engine, Although I am writing this fifty- front line stations. During the rocketry and firefighting one years after the event, these war years 62 different types of collections. Model aircraft details have always been aircraft were handled here. With displays by SMAC. Free vintage clearly etched in my memory. It supporting experts from English bus service from STEAM was quite a traumatic Heritage, guided tours of the museum, Swindon. experience for a 15-year old. airfield, hangars and collections are available. Enjoy a walk in Enquiries: Science Museum nearby Clouts Wood. Flying and Wroughton Tel 01793814466 HELP ! static model aircraft displays by SMAC, including scale THANKS TO ….. By Trevor H competition on Sunday. Display by Royal Observer Corps Sony Ltd., for The Museum is on the lookout donation of Technical Manuals for Museum Trust. Free vintage the SONY 7040 U-Matic tape for new helpers. Got any spare bus service from STEAM recorder. time during the weekends? museum, Swindon. Even if you can spare 1 day a month we would be pleased to CONTACT DETAILS hear from you. Website; http://fly.to/MuseumofBerkshireAviation E-mail: Main tasks would be either [email protected] admission or shop duties. Don't worry if you feel that you don't

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