TO EXPAND BRITAIN’S FLYING ARMADA

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20728, 11 February 1939, Page 16 (Supplement)

TO EXPAND BRITAIN’S FLYING ARMADA

flying off or down to the hangars after alighting. To permit economy of housing space and to provide for several aspects of flying which do not affect normal landplanes ship-borne aircraft must embody special constructional features. Most of them have folding wings which can be unsecured from flying position in a matter of seconds and as quickly rigged for flight. A measure of security in the event of a forced landing on the water—as might occur if an aircraft lost its bearings—is achieved by provision of buoyant water-tight compartments in the fuselage and wings. For deck landings the undercarriage is rigged to pick up “ arrester ” wires which run transversely across the deck. Seaplane Conversion Further, as the aircraft may be required to be launched by catapult, stresses and strains imposed by this sudden acceleration must be allowed for in design. Should the carrier be out of action or in harbour, the landplanes carried must be adapted for rapid installation of seaplane floats (“ boots ” in the naval vernacular) so that they be operated from the surface of the water alongside. Special chemical treatments protect the structure from sea-water corrosion. Cunningly concealed salvage wires at crucial lifting points enable an aircraft to be sal-

vaged readily if a forced landing occurred. Every modern navigational device is fitted in the aeroplanes which frequently operate up to a hundred miles away from the ship. The Ark Royal has a special “air intelligence” office where check is kept on every movement of the reconnaissance machines as they sweep the sea in search of enemy forces on the surface or hiding in submarines. In motion a submarine is readily spotted from the air because it leaves a thin pencil make astern of its propelling screws. Lying motionless, the submarine can in most cases be spotted directly from above as a sinister and dark object silhouetted against the transparent sea. The aircraft operate by night as well as by day. Air Arm pilots undergo a special course of training for night deck landing and take-off. There is no more thrilling sight than the operation of an aircraft carrier at sea by night. The great ship tears along at 30 knots, her flying deck floodlit. Powerful lamps wink in signal to the aircraft over head, which add colour to the scene with their red, green and white navigation lights. The song of aero engines fills the sky, blending with the crash of the sea as it parts before the carrier’s eager bows, and falls away aft in a gleaming turmoil of waters. Singapore Exercises The success of joint operations by

the Air Force and the Navy was never better demonstrated than when the two conducted exercises at Singapore last year. The enemy fleet, with its complement of shipborne aircraft, advanced to. attack the fortress as in actual warfare. Aircraft and every fonm of ground defence were brought into concerted and combine action by the Singapore commanders. The manoeuvres appear to have been devised primarily to test details of the defensive organisation, including the formidable new 15-inch and 18-inch guns, and to provide the utmost possible practice in warlike measures. In addition, therefore, to the main attack, several important tactical exercises were conducted. Submarines manoeuvred within shot distance of the shore and troops were landed, without the co-operation or intervention of aircraft. An official communique issued soon after the start of the exercise states that the defending Redland air patrols had been out all day searching the waters of the South China and Java Seas, “ but without result.” Movements of all defending aircraft were marked on large-scale charts at Air Staff headquarters. There, also, throughout the exercise, the “ serviceability ” of squadron aircraft was tabulated so that Air ViceMarshal Tedder could see at a glance what forces were at his immediate disposal. The communique indicates that the first day’s “ war ” was sufficient

Mechanics For Floating Aerodromes

to prove the smoothness of working in the combined defence headquarters which is the reward of years of experience of Singapore defence operations. At the observation posts men stared out to sea, somewhat hampered by local mist, to catch the first glimpse of enemy aeroplanes or warship. Others listened intently at sound locators for the hum of aeroplane engines and airscrews. Searchlights swept the sky. In the batteries and along the beaches troops were alert and ready. The Straits Settlements detachment of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve patrolled the straits and the seaway leading to the fortress. Towards midnight, four enemy ” Blueland ” destroyers attempted to raid the eastern defences, hut were forced to withdraw by heavy lire from the shore batteries. Just as dawn was breaking defending aeroplanes on patrol located a large number or enemy aircraft making for Singapore. Riposte Immediately a warning was flashed by radio to defence headquarters. The attackers steered for the aerodrome, their apparent Intention the destruction of ” Redland ” aircraft in the hangars there. Warned by the air patrols the garrison was ready when they arrive 1. The enemy was met by the Are of anti-

Efficiency of Aircraft Carriers R.A.F. and Naval Co-operation

day. Less than two hours after midd night a submarine reported a cruiser s in the vicinity of Johore. The submad marine was too far off to fire a torpedo. Her report gave rise to anxiety - because the defence commanders be- - lieved that a landing of troops might be attempted. Aircraft were lmmedly ately sent up to search the coa6t. They e turned night into day by dropping y powerful magnesium flares which ree voaled the details of the foreshore for * miles around. After a brief period aloft 1 the aeroplanes returned with a report - that no enemy troops or small boat* o had been seen on any of the isolated r beaches. Soon after dawn, defending air patrols spotted an enemy aircraft carrier about 200 miles south-east of s Singapore. Fighter aeroplanes were j sent out. but In the interval the carrier j had withdrawn out of range. During the afternoon ” Redland " air patrols established contact with the mam „ enemy fleet. Later they found three v submarines, which di\cd as soon as j Hie aircraft were seen approaching. Towards nightfall a large convoy was e seen steering in formation about 100 miles south-east of Singapore. Unluckily a heavy rain squall obscured subsequent observation, but the aire craft succeeded in finding the convoy S again during the night.

aircraft batteries ashore and afloat, while defending aircraft climbed at full throttle to intercept them. Some bombs were dropped, but the umpires ruled that the attack had failed. : A few hours later the enemy aii^ ; craft carrier was located by reconnaissance aeroplanes ” at extreme range.” The defence commander immediately • detailed an air formation to attack the vessel, which was found and heavily bombed and torpedoed. Earlier in the morning “ Redland ” submarines sighted several " Blue ” destroyers at a considerable distance from the l'ort- • ress. The information was flashed to defence headquarters, and an air counter-attack was swiftly set in motion. The communique continues:— j ’• For the greater part of this day wea- : ther conditions have been most favour- ; able for air operations. Yisibilty has been good and large banks of cloud iat different altitudes have provided j ideal cover from observations by opj posing air and ground forces. In conj ditioiirs such as these reconnaissance j aircraft are able to locate the enemy ! without themselves being seen, and attacking aircraft can approach their targets unobserved, and so achieve surprises.” Night Search A picturesque incident marked the course of events early the following