Air Stories, November 1937 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

DUSTMEN DON’T CARE drome and landed, one after another, as quickly as possible. Directly the last machine had been counted in, the flood- lights were switched off and, like the rest of the vast area that was London, Northley became only a vague mass. Yet inside its biggest hangar, a small army of mechanics were already feverishly at work, unloading aircraft components from several huge lorries. The components were those of a big, twin-engined Gotha bomber, on the front of which was the eagle of Imperial Germany, and on the wings and tail, the crosses of the German Air Service. Since the previous night, Major Nobby Clarke had been busy on telephones, and now, in company with the C.O. of Northley Aerodrome, he walked into the big hangar to view the results of his conversations. ‘“T’ll check-over the details with you later, Clarke,’’ said his companion, ‘‘ but I think we’ve got them all pretty well taped. From any height it’s pretty easy to pick up the Hackney Marshes, and the River Lea. Subject to your agree- ment, we've arranged that two search- lights are to pick you out, right above that spot, at this time to-morrow night— which is the usual time the raiders arrive. Your height will be twelve thousand feet, and I’m having signal lights let into the fuselage underneath the Gotha so that there can be no mistake. You’ll arrange, of course, that your squadron will be right on the opposite side of the city at that particular time.’’ ‘“Good,’’ said Nobby, and moved slightly as Edison came into the hangar and walked past them. So engrossed was the Major in his companion’s remarks that he hardly noticed the originator of the scheme who, with a thick bundle of formidable-looking papers and drawings under one arm, went straight up to the great craft which was now being put together. ONE of the Squadron saw anything more of Edison that night. They had dined before leaving France, and most — of them went straight to their separate sleeping-huts, so that his absence was not noticed. Until very nearly twelve o’clock, the Major sat in the squadron- office with his host, working at details, and telephoning gun-battery stations and searchlights at various points around London. It was not until quite late next morning that he sought Edison out, for the purpose of a careful rehearsal of the evening’s show. And when he did find Edison, he discovered that worthy struggling on the floor of his sleeping-hut, and looking rather like a hibernating snow-bear, in the midst of billowing folds of white silk. ‘* Oh, hello, Nobby,’’ said the inventor, passing a hand over a perspiring brow. ‘‘ This is my new parachute. Luckily I was able to find time to work on the thing. May need it to-night. You see, it’s going to be a ticklish business—bomber fighting bomber. If we have any luck, we’ll be in the middle of a whole crowd of ’em, and we may have to jump for it. So I’m fixing one of these up for you, too.’’ Nobby grinned but shook his head. He had all of the 1918-aeroplane-pilot’s distrust of a parachute in any form. For in those early days there were constant tragic accidents, even amongst the kite- balloon men who were the experts of the parachute trade. ‘Tf you think you’re going to get me hooked-up in one of those damned, suicidal mushrooms, you can think again, Edison,’’ he said. ‘‘ My time will come when it’s due ; and meanwhile I’m not going to make things worse by hopping out on a footling, overgrown umbrella which, ten to one, won’t open anyhow.”’’ ‘* Qh, but this one will,’’ said Edison, standing up and taking a folded case from off his bed. ‘‘ This one on the floor is the one I’m making for you,’’ he went on buckling the folded case on to his back. ‘‘ I’ve got an arrangement of springs inside. The whole thing is forced open and chucked out. It’s bound to act. All you have to do is to pull this lever, here, on the front buckle. Look, I can fold it back again—I’ll show you di With a confident smile he pulled the lever indicated. 395 AMICLOO© (©