THRILLING THE JADED R.A.F.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1929, Page 15

THRILLING THE JADED R.A.F.

YOUNG MECHANIC TAKES AIR. AIR FLEET GIVES CHASE. An amazing story of how an aircraftman in the Royal Air Force took a night bomber into the air for four, hours in the south of England has just been told. The aircraftman . was detailed at his ’drome for early morning flyhig duty. Just before 'reveille was sounded at G. 30 he wars standing by a bomber in which he was to fly as a mechanic. One of his friends, it is alleged, made a bet with him that he could not fly the 'machine. Though he had never piloted, an airplane, the aircraftman climbed into the cockpit, and to the astonishment of his comrades took off in the great twin-engined machine. When the flying officer who was to have been tlie“ pilot arrived he found his airplane gone. There was consternation in the airdrome and urgent message,", were sent to all service stations in the district asking them to dispatch every available machine to'. search the skies. Motor-cyclists and motor-cars were, sent out from the ’drome' and from military camps. , The sky was full of. machines and the roads were filled with vehicles all looking for the adventurer in the sky. For nearly four hours they se’arched. The Air Force police were called'and ambulances and the fire brigade were got ready. The aircraftman took off at 6 a.m. and returned at 10 a.m. Pilots in the air and a large force on the ground watched with anxiety the machine approaching the airdrome. It circled perfectly and then swooped down. The aircraftman had taken off perfectly and kept the machine in the air for four hours, but could he land—the most difficult part of it all? He is only 20 ’ years of age, and everybody in the airdrome knew that the young adventurer was relying enrely on his book knowledge. Down came the machine. “He is coming too fast,’-’ cried everyone. But° though the speed was too great he made a perfect land-

in«’. His speed, however, carried him on° into some bushes and the undercarriage was damaged. In a few minutes those who had been watched saw the young . aircraftman strolling across the airdrome calmly smoking a cigarette. The R.A.F. police arrested him. He is now awaiting court-martial. Officers in the airdrome •who watched the aircraftman land admitted that his flying was extraordinarily good for a, man who had never taken a machine in the air before. His first flight was on a great machine which will carry ten men.