NAVAL AIRCRAFT CARRIER

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 54, 27 November 1928, Page 10

NAVAL AIRCRAFT CARRIER

WONDERS OF H.M.S. FURIOUS THRILLS AND REALISM Dominion Special Service. London, October 17. H.M.S. Furious, the aircraft-carrier, is probably the hardest worked ship in the Atlantic Fleet during the autumn exercises in Cromarty Firth. She is, as a rule, at sea five days out of seven, and the ’planes she carries practise flying exercises on a very extensive scale. The ’planes carried by the Furious consist of single-seater torpedo bombers, three-seater spotters, and reconnoissance machines, and singleseater fighters, whose function in real warfare would be primarily to protect the parent ship. The 'planes are accommodated in two hangars from which they are carried to the flight deck by fast hydraulic lifts situated fore and aft.

The flight deck is, in effect, a roof over 100 yards long, covering almost the entire length and breadth of the ship. Coupled with the fact that in the Furious everything normally vertical is placed horizontally, it is this which gives to the originally graceful lines of the ship an odd and grotesque appearance. While the reconnaissance machines were away spotting for a shoot with the third battle squadron, two groups of torpedo bombers made a very realistic attack with the Furious as target. The exercise, carried out at high speed, was a striking revelation of the competency of the ship’s organisation and personnel. In an almost incredibly short time from the word “Go” the 'planes had been rushed up from the hangar below and placed in position for taking off. For ten minutes or so engines were warmed up, and after the first machine had taken off Furious had steamed a few knots only before the flight deck was entirely clear. Furious was steaming into the wind at about twenty-five knots. The machines got away easily and gracefully, and those starting from well aft had a considerable part of the deck to spare when they took the air. A Thrilling Spectacle. The attack which followed was thrilling and realistic. The 'planes of the first group approached the port side in a long, steep dive. From high out of the blue they swooped down to within a few feet of the water, released imaginary slings supporting heavy torpedoes under the fuselage, and then, flying at about 120 miles an hour, turned sharply away from imaginary aircraft and machine-gun fire. The second attack was made on different lines, the machines approaching in widely-separ-ated pairs. They dived in swift succession to drop their “bricks.” After they had given a picturesque and skilful display of close formation flying, the 'planes were called home. Their return to the deck of the Furious made a spectacle remarkable for skilful piloting and clever, swiftly-working organisation. The 'planes had broken formation, and were flying in wide circles round Furious. A fluttering flag signal told the first pilot to land, and in a few moments his machine was seen overhauling the ship. It alighted gently and taxied easily to the flight deck party waiting on the lift. In a few seconds it disappeared below, and the lift had only just reappeared when the next machine landed on the deck aft. In a very few minutes the machines of the first group had been landed and run into the hangar. The second group was handled even more swiftly. These machines, after they had landed forward, were pushed to the lift aft. Thus, pilots had not to wait for the lift to reappear. On one occasion the flight deck party which had handled one machine was chased along the deck by the one following. From beginning to end the exercise was a remarkable exhibition of efficiency and speed. Of the pilots, about 75 per cent, are naval officers. They are all very enthusiastic, and one at least is the private owner of a Moth. 1