Air Stories, April 1936 — page 64: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AIR STORIES what happens to one tame aeroplane against three battleships ? Do you realise that during the next war . . .?’”’ ‘‘ Please, Charles, one question at a time. I am going to be influenced by this afternoon’s display, one way or the other. At any rate, I am going to view it with an open mind.’’ These secretaries went too far, the Premier thought, but he prided himself on his ability to deal with them. CHAPTER Ill Launch of the Wasp N board ‘‘ Uproarious ’’ there was a keen anticipation of the show which the Wasp was to put up, but it was tinged with an element of doubt. Especially so in the case of the flying personnel. To them it seemed little short of miraculous that an aeroplane without a pilot could do all the things which were required of this craft. There were so many calculations involved, each dependent on the other as links in a chain, and each of a complication which made the brain reel. The Wasp was in the upper hangar surrounded by a group of interested spectators. Cullis, who had come down from Farnborough with the machine, was making a last check-over, blue- print in hand. From time to time he would bellow some question at the pro- fessor. The answer was always satis- factory. All was in order, so it seemed. ‘“‘If this outfit works,’’ remarked Commander Craddock with a grin, ‘‘ we shall be able to think about dispensing with the services of you fellows.’’ ‘‘Not a hope!’’ replied Squadron Leader Drinkwell. ‘‘ We won’t have to do any more actual air fighting, of course, but our services will always be needed to direct the course of battle. In fact, I think I will have an aerial fixed on the roof of the Grand Hotel so that I can control operations from an armchair in the... .’’ ‘“Seen James anywhere about, sir? ”’ panted Spalding, who had run up at that moment. He seemed excited and somewhat out of breath. .the last twenty minutes. ‘* No, Spalding, but what’s the trouble ? Seen a ghost ? ’’ But Spalding was already backing away towards the ladder. ‘‘N... no, sir,’’ he starnmered, ‘‘ it’s just that he’s a friend of mine, and I wondered where he was.’’ He had reached the ladder, which he now proceeded to climb in a manner and at a speed which would have done credit to an old-time hand before the mast. ‘* Quite touching, this affection between the Services,’? remarked Craddock drily. ‘‘ H’m, I wonder,’’ replied Drinkwell. ‘‘ They’re not usually quite so insepar- able.’’ He consulted his watch. ‘‘ Get- ting near time. On to the lift with her, Stevens.”’ ‘* Aye, aye, sir.’’ Pat Spalding found James at last— up on the flying-deck. ‘* Hullo, Pat, I was just thinking about you... .’’ ‘* How nice for you !”’ ‘¢ Yes—and I was also thinking about that Italian chap. Bit mysterious |! Wonder if they’ve found him yet.’’ ‘‘They’ve mnot!’’ snapped Pat. ‘¢ Just what I wanted to tell you about. I’ve been searching the ship for you for Looked every- where. Even thought of dragging the bilge .. .!”? . ‘‘None of your low air humour,”’ broke in James, and glanced instinctively at his immaculate uniform. ‘‘Listen, John! ’”’ Pat became serious. ‘‘ There’s the very devil of a shindy brewing over that little Wop. He’s simply disappeared—faded right out. They’ve been dragging the waters in the dockyard all night. Where in heaven’s name can he have got to ? ’’ ‘* How should I know ? ’’ John James asked angrily. ‘‘I got him in, that’s all that worries me. And it’s all because you missed the ruddy drifter.’’ He paused, and seemed to calm down a bit. ‘*But let’s work the thing out by a process of elimination. He may still be in the water—hope he is. It’s easy to miss a body.... Hullo! We’re weighing anchor ; the fun’!l be starting soon. Suppose he’s not in the water, 350 LA@OO SJ (Cl QO)