Air Stories, April 1936 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

AIR STORIES as they belched tracer-white threads of fire to weave skywards. Just one short burst and each gun was stilled. ‘Good !”’ ’phoned the Wing Com- mander, ‘‘ that worked. Now time’s up. He replaced the receiver and shouted, “* Down, George ! ”’ As the aerial descended from view, he signalled to Cullis, who was hanging on to the side of the cockpit, his overalls flapping in a twenty-knot wind, his hand onthe throttle. Cullis’ hand went forward till the engine was running at half- throttle. He hung on closer as the slip- stream joined forces with that twenty- knot wind. ‘* Away chocks !’’ yelled Cullis. Men were holding struts. Chocks were with- drawn. The Wasp trembled as though in eagerness to throw restraining hands aside and be off. Spalding and James watched, en- thralled. Suddenly a dent appeared in the fuselage towards the tail. The fabric bulged as though struck from the inside. Once, and then again, and this time a small split showed in the fabric. ‘‘Jumping Jupiter !”’ ‘“ Did you see that ? ’’ Cullis’ left arm was raised. The men watched, awaiting the signal. ‘“Yes |’ said James weakly. ‘‘'We must stop ’em!’’ shouted Pat, and climbed to the deck. Cullis’ arm dropped at the same mecment that his right hand jabbed the throttle wide. He pushed himself away and dropped to the deck. The men fell and the Wasp moved forward, straight as an arrow for that wisp of steam in the bows. She lifted from the deck after a run of only a few yards. ‘‘She hasn’t got her tail up, has she P’’ queried Craddock. = Fell te ss ‘‘She’s as tail-heavy as a...my hat! ... she’s going to... to spin in! No, she’s all right now, but it was touch and go.’’ ‘*I thought it looked a bit queer,’’ commented Craddock. ‘Up, George !’’ came the order from the Wing Commander’s cockpit. gasped Pat. 352 no,’’ yelled Drinkwell. CHAPTER IV An Admiral is Alarmed T the moment the Wasp took-off from the carrier’s deck the Ad- miralty’s distinguished guests were extended in deck-chairs along the port side of the ‘*‘Witch.’’ They were drowsily content. Some, indeed, ap- peared to be asleep. Lord Maymyo’s eyes were hidden from view by his cap, which had slipped forward, but his mouth was open, and a strange gurgling sound came therefrom and was wafted by the gentle breeze down the deck to where his wife sat. That lady stiffened as the familar sound reached her ear, and she raised her parasol. ‘Cecil !’’ she . hissed whisper. ‘¢ Gurgle-gurgle,’’ replied his lordship. ‘‘Cecil!’’ Her voice was a little more insistent. ‘¢ Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle.”’ ‘* This afternoon’s performance...” boomed a Loud-speaker just above his head. Lord Maymyo’s heels clicked together as though at a word of command, he gave a wild snort and sat up. Sylvia rescued his cap and handed it to him with a sweet smile. ‘‘ ... has been staged by the Admiralty in the confident hope that it will bring the vexed question of the Fleet’s ability to deal with aircraft a stage nearer solution. Those re- sponsible for this display have endeavoured, successfully we think, to make the conditions resemble as nearly as possible those of actual warfare.’’ The loud-speaker took a deep breath after this effort. ‘‘Most interesting, I’m _ sure,’’ said Lady Maymyo, more to distract atten- tion from her husband than because she thought it would be. -‘The programme is this,’’ continued the loud-speaker. ‘‘ An aeroplane, with- out a pilot, and controlled entirely by wireless from the ship, has just taken off from the Aircraft-Carrier ‘ Up- roarious.” Wou may be able to see this ship about eight miles to the south if you look straight to your front, seated as you are.” in a_ stage 9) GOMIGIOO SJ (Cl QO)