RFC/RAF Equipment, Aircrew and Ground Crew

[Hannover]

I've come across a series of photos showing some interesting aircraft equipment as well as photos of aircrew/ground crew at work. So I though one thread tpo cover these would be good. Des please split if you feel its better.

All photos Copyright WM These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

First up - a series of 3 photographs, showing different views of an interesting RFC machine used in the testing of a Vickers machine gun synchronised with a simulated aircraft propeller blade.








 

[Hannover]

This next photograph, is packed full of interesting details, it shows the Duty Officer of the Aircraft Armoury at the RFC/RAF Aerodrome at Vert Galant, supervising the issuing of aircraft machine guns to Pilots and Observers from No.22 Squadron based at Vert Galant, on 1st April 1918, which was also the day on which the Royal Air Force was formed.
 
The Duty Officer of the Armoury, is wearing the Army Uniform of one of the Scottish Regiments, and from the badge on his Glengarry, he could be from the Royal Scots.
 
The Pilots and Observers are wearing the late war ' Sidcot ' Flying Suit. The aircraft machine guns being issued, were stripped-down Lewis and Vickers Guns.
 
The interesting sign attached to the Armoury Hut, reads :-
A.O. Office
ARMOURY
& C.C. Gear
 
The 'A.O.' I understand refers to 'Aircraft Ordnance' and the 'C.C. Gear' refers to the Constantinesco & Colley hydraulic synchronised aircraft Vickers machine gun system. This sign shows that the 'C.C. Gear' system had an important stand alone section within the Aircraft Armoury.
 
The Vert Galant RFC/RAF Aerodrome was located on both sides of the road South of the village of Doullens, and 12 miles North of Amiens in the Somme Picardy Region of Northern France, and was in operation from 1915 to 1919. Interestingly, it was from the Aerodrome at Vert Galant that Albert Ball, V.C., took off on his fatal final flight on 7th May, 1917.


Copyright IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Hannover]

Another photo taken at Vert Galant on 1st April, 1918 shows another group of RAF Pilots and Observers from No.22 Squadron discussing their upcoming mission, whilst RAF Aircraft Mechanics prepare one of their Bristol F.2 Fighters for take off. The Aircraft Mechanics at the front left of the aircraft, are working on the Bristol's fixed Vickers machine gun mounted inside the cowling.
 
All the the Pilots and Observers in this photograph are wearing the 'Sidcot' flying suit, apart from the Airman in the centre, who is wearing a ' fur ' flying coat.
 
Copyright IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Des]

Outstanding photos Hannover, thank you for posting them.

Des.

[Hannover]

Another of 2nd Lieutenant McLellan's photographs taken at Vert Galant on 1st April 1918.

This one which shows one of the stripped-down Lewis Guns as seen above mounted on the 'Scarff Ring' in the Observer's cockpit on a Bristol F.2 of No.22 Squadron, with an Air Mechanic handing the Observer a Lewis Gun ammunition magazine.

The Pilot of that particular Bristol F.2 was Lieutenant Davidson, and the Observer was Lieutenant Morgan, and between them, they had 11 victories in just 2 weeks, both the Pilot and the Observer are wearing 'Sidcot' flying suits.

Note also the rank insignia of the air mechanic on his tunic arm.

Copyright IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Hannover]

Here we have a detailed shot of a 'Scarff' ring fitted with twin Lewis Guns, which is on display at the Imperial War Museum.

Copyright WM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Hannover]

A nicely detailed view of a 'Scarff' ring mounted with a Lewis Gun fitted to an R.E.8 aircraft of No.59 Squadron Serial No. B5106  flying out of Vert Galant Aerodrome on 15th May, 1918.

Copyright WM These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.



An interesting colourised photograph of the same R.E.8 aircraft shown in the previous post, taken from a different angle, and we can see that the R.E.8 in addition to the Observer's Scarff ring mounted Lewis Gun, is also armed with a fuselage side-mounted synchronised Vickers machine gun.

[Edo]

Wow!
these pictures are great! Thank you for shareing!
ciao
edo

[Hannover]

This photo was taken on 25th March 1918. It shows details both of the Observer's Scarff Ring twin mounted Lewis Guns, and also the synchronised Mk I Vickers aerial machine gun mounted on the left side of the fuselage.

Copyright IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Nigel Jackson]

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to search out these super photos, Hannover.

What I notice about the most recent one is what it tells us the nature of the connection between the rear cabane struts and the upper wing. Obviously erroneously I've tended to make the joint just a bit more flush.

Best wishes
Nigel

[Des]

Beautiful and well detailed photos, thank you for posting them.

Des.

[Hannover]

Sorry about the lack of postings for a few days. Seem ti have caught the virus that was doing the rounds at Telford and have been 'hors de combat' for the past ten days. Not a pleasant bug this one, managed to lose 15lbs in weight in 5 days but with the help of antibiotics seemed to be slowly shaking it off. Hopefully back to full fitness in a couple of days.

Anyway, next up various views of the Mk I & Mk II Vickers machine guns.

Copyright IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.





Peter

[Hannover]

On aircraft where the pilot was seated directly behind and in close proximity to the machine gun(s) fired from observer/gunner's cockpit located in the nose of the aircraft, the Pilot was at risk from the spent cartridge cases being forcefully ejected from the machine gun(s) as with the aerial Lewis Gun. To protect the pilot a ' Deflector ' was fitted to the Lewis Gun, which diverted the ejected spent cartridge cases into a canvas collection bag attached to the Deflector, with the opening to the collection bag being stiffened and kept open wide by an elliptical metal ring. Once the collection bag was filled, a flap at the base of the bag could be released and opened allowing the bag to quickly empty and then resealed for continuing use.
 
The first photograph shows the nose gunner in a Handley Page 0/400 bomber located immediately forward of the Pilot, firing a Lewis Gun mounted on a Scarff Ring, and fitted with a 'Deflector' and a spent cartridge collection bag.
 
This photograph, was taken near Cressy in the Somme region of Northern France on 25th September 1918.
 
Copyright IWM All images is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.



Detailed photos of Lewis Gun fitted with a 'Deflector' to which is attached a spent cartridge collection bag. Note the flap at the bottom of the collection bag, which allows for easy emptying. The second photo shows the inside of the 'Deflector'





A Handley Page 0/400 Bomber of No.14 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service ( RNAS ) being prepared for a mission flying out of Dunkerque Aerodrome, located in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of Northern France. This photograph shows the HP 0/400's enormous size, but also we can see the bomber's nose cockpit armed with twin Lewis Guns mounted on a Scraff Ring and fitted with 'Deflectors' and spent cartridge collection bags.

[Nigel Jackson]

Thanks again, Hannover. It's great to see these photos.

The last one (the port side of the forward fuselage) shows the fabric bulging out sharply in two places, obviously being pushed out by something inside. Were I to be modelling an 0/400 kit it would probably never occur to me to try and replicate this and if the manufacturers had done the hard work for me, I'd probably sand the whole thing smooth in my ignorance; a lesson learned for me about checking photos!

Best wishes
Nigel