Accuracy of War in The Air

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 5, 7 January 1936, Page 9

Accuracy of War in The Air

WORK AT ARMAMENT CAMPS LONDON, Nov. 30. Results of the day and night bombing competitions held in the Royal Air Force show that notable advances have been made in recent years in the accuracy of all forms of bomb dropping. No. 101 Squadron, commanded by Squad-ron-Leader E. B. C. Betts, has, for the second year running, been adjudged tho winner of the Armament Officers Bombing Trophy, for day bombing. The average results secured were remarkable for their consistency and accuracy. They show the great progress that has been made jn this form of aerial attack, and suggest that the claims of those who say that the bombing aeroplane is now the master weapon of war are justified. In the Royal Air Force the yearly armament training camps are used to stimulate officers and men in acquiring skill in bombing. The camps are also used to test the latest British equipment, the aeroplanes, their provision for accurate sighting and launching, and the bomb-dropping gear. No. 101 Squadron is equipped with Boulton Paul Sidcstrand and Overstrand aeroplanes. The Overstrand is a twin-engined, medium bomber, powered with two Bristol Pegasus engines each of 620 horse-power. It is fitted with two new mechanically operated gun turret, the first turret of its kind in tho world, which enables the front gunner to shoot without his aim being adversely affected by the force of the air blast upon either his gun of his body. The bomb aimer’s position is provided in the extreme nose of the fuselage. During tho air’ exercises of the present year the Sidcstrands and Overstrands of No. 101 Squadron were employed for half-light bomb raids. In the past, difficulty has been experienced by the commanders of the attacking side in providing for a continuous attack, because, at dusk and at dawn, neither tho heavy bomber nor tho day bomber is entirely suitable. Tho heavy bomber, when daylight comes, may bo caught at a disadvantage by interceptor fighters, and the day bomber, as it has only one engine, is not entirely suitable for working in the dark. In order to link tho night and day raids, therefore, the medium bombers were called into use.

Developed from tho Sidestrand, the Overstraud has been called the “24hour’ ’ bomber on account of this ability to work either by day or bynight with equal facility. It is a biplano with a maximum speed of well over 150 miles au hour. Its operational height is 20,000 ft. The mechanicallyoperated turret, when it was intduced in October last year, was held by many air fighting experts to oo uw most important step forward in aircraft fuunery since the invention, during the war of 1914, of the synchronising device which enables pilots to fire straight ahead through tho field swept by tho airscrew,

The armament camps, whero the Overstrands of No. 101 Squadron did their competition bombing, are held at Catfoss, ju Yorkshire, at North Coates Fifties, in Lincolnshire, and at Sutton Bridge, in Cambridgeshire. Each squadron goes in turn to these camps and stays for about five or six weeks. All forms of bombing are practised, and there is great keeness among the officers and men in competing for the trophies.