The Royal Air Force ''At Home'': The History of RAF Air Displays from 1920

519 Pages·2010·17.58 MB·English

by  Watson

First published in Great Britain in 2010 by
Pen & Sword Aviation
an imprint of
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
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Barnsley
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Copyright © Ian Smith Watson 2010
9781783031399

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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Hendon, Pageantry in the Air
Chapter 2 - War and Peace
Chapter 3 - Battle of Britain ‘At Home’ Day
Chapter 4 - A Good Reason for an Air Display?
Chapter 5 - Days of Thunder
Chapter 6 - Organising the ‘At Home’
Chapter 7 - Something Special
Chapter 8 - Less is More?
Chapter 9 - End of an Era
Chapter 10 - Aircraft ‘At Home’
Appendices
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
In writing this book I’ve set out to present a historical view of the Royal Air
Force from a different angle than that which is more usual. Not that the subject
of the RAF’s commitment and policy to air shows and public displays generally
has not been touched upon before, but when so, it has usually been an occasional
reference, indeed, an acknowledgement along the way.
This time I trust I’ve struck a cord with those who enjoy what has come to be
described as the UK’s second-largest spectator sport. To those who can
remember perhaps attending one of the once many RAF stations, for many now
quite some years ago, perhaps on the occasion of the annual Battle of Britain
displays which figure so prominently in this book, then you may find some sense
of nostalgia herein.
As I write this passage to thank those who have contributed so much, whether
photographs, specific details or transcriptions from Air Council meetings
minutes, a sense that an end of an era is upon us has never been more keenly felt
than now; as descendants of the few become fewer, so does the contribution to
the annual list of air shows which in themselves now are predominantly civilian-
organised, a reverse state of affairs from the early post-war years.
Before I digress any further then, I’ll get to the point and say thank you to the
following: John Wharam, John Fisher, Peter March, Alex Christie, Steve
Williams, Robin Williams, Mick Jennings and Keith Butcher, all of whom
provided a generous selection from which many of the pictures were drawn and
are individually acknowledged. Other photographs from more formal sources
have been provided by The Air Historical Branch; in particular I’m indebted to
Squadron Leader Peter Singleton and Bill Hunt, who were particularly helpful in
researching photographs. Other sources who have contributed are Warwickshire
County Records Office, who provided some rare shots taken at Gaydon in the
sixties and I’m especially grateful to the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical
Branch for their contribution. The National Archives have also proved an
indispensable source not only for photographs but also for allowing
transcriptions of Air Council minutes concerning early policy regarding the
staging of service-organised air shows, for which I would like to say thank you
in particular to Tim Padstow and Paul Johnson of the National Archives crown
copyright department. The detailed participation lists and timetables of previous
Battle of Britain ‘At Home’ Days, which make up the extensive appendices,
appear also in no small part thanks to the National Archive, John Halley of Air
Britain Historians, Midland Counties Publications, Merv Hambling of the
Norfolk Aviation Society and the Royal Air Force Museum archive office at
Hendon, all of whom have also proved most helpful here. Furthermore, I must
thank the publishers of Aeroplane Monthly and Aviation News for their kind
assistance with the reviews and quotes from 1920-21 editions of The Aeroplane
and September 1963 edition of Air Pictorial,which helped research regarding the
Hendon Air Pageants and organisation of the Battle of Britain Displays.
Furthermore, thanks to Group Captain Nicky Loveday and Squadron Leader
Roger Steele, who have given crucial advice regarding the training of display
crews. Finally, I’m honoured to have received the assistance of Tim Prince,
Director of RIAT and Air Vice Marshal Peter Latham, who as Leader of the
Black Arrows set the standards of formation aerobatics which we see today in
The Red Arrows and other premier military display teams.
There are others, I’m sure, that I have forgotten to mention. I can only
apologise to those who contributed in some way but are not listed here.
However, their efforts are deeply appreciated just the same.
Introduction
The armed forces of many countries have in modern times given much
consideration to their relationship with the Public they serve. In Great Britain
much store has traditionally been placed on the philosophy of promoting such
good harmony. Like any Government service, the armed forces’ success is likely
only through the support and agreement of the great majority.
Military public relations endeavours therefore ultimately seek to build a sense
of common interests and aims, and so generally foster good relations with the
people they defend, and thereby ensure a stable society. The armed forces, when
engaging on any public relations exercise, have traditionally sought to provide
an entertaining spectacle. For years this has been typified by parades, bands,
mock battles, drill displays and other relevant feats of military prowess which
have captured the imagination of the public and inspired potential recruits.
Britain in particular is world famous for the pomp and pageantry surrounding
its institutionalised forces. There exists a precedent for a number of regular
events, for example; the Edinburgh Tattoo, the Royal Tournament (although the
last of this event in its original format was held in 1999), Trooping the Colour,
the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance and other similar events.
Many of these events, in particular the festival of remembrance, have their
origins in or simply exist to commemorate those who have fallen in battle, and
serve to remind the public conscience of the debt we owe, lest we forget.
The 20th century brought a new dimension to the field of warfare and
subsequently added a new strand to the fabric of public ceremony and displays
by the armed forces. That new dimension was the arrival of powered flight.
The first powered aeroplane flew in 1903 and consisted of a partly fabric-
covered wooden framework with an original engine, existing piston engines
being too heavy. The engine was designed by Charlie Taylor, who worked for
the Wrights. The technology borrowed from the bicycle sprocket and chain
process. The four-cylinder engine drove two chains which rotated two propellers
which were designed to counter-rotate. This helped maintain the Flyer’s stability
when airborne. Apart from the positioning of the propeller spinners, the engine