The only further change made in the system of instruction at the
School of Aeronautics, was the introduction of the block system in
October, 1918, under which forty hours were allotted to engines,
twenty-seven to aerial navigation, twenty to wireless, twenty-six to
rigging and thirty to artillery observation. The observers’ flight
was carried on independently of the above, and the ninety hours’
instruction given to the latter on technical subjects covered all
requirements.
In concluding this very brief sketch of an extremely important
section of the brigade, it is desired to specially acknowledge
the services of not only the instructing officers but also of the
non-commissioned officers and men on the staff. It fell to the duty
of many sergeants and corporals to demonstrate the principles and
theories of highly technical appliances, and to demonstrate them
moreover in many cases to men who were much their seniors and who
had had the advantage of a modern and expensive education. It was,
however, uniformly observed that the non-commissioned officers who
occupied this highly responsible and difficult position, discharged
their duty not only with a dignity beyond all praise, but also with
an exemplary clearness based on an intimate knowledge of the subject.
They were confronted very often with questions which would have
confused many who laid definite claim to higher attainments, but it
has not yet been found that any one of them was lacking either in
the technical qualification or the power of self expression which
was necessary for the satisfactory discharge of their duties. The
marked improvement in the all-round ability of cadets arriving at the
various flying wings after the School of Aeronautics had had time to
finally find itself, is due to the excellent work done by officers
and non-commissioned officers alike at this unit.
ARMAMENT SCHOOL.
It is a far cry from the one-time pilot who, between the vagaries
of his machine, took pot shots at his opponent with a revolver or
sporting rifle, to his successor of to-day armed with a machine gun
that discharges bullets at the rate of 600 per minute through a
four-bladed propeller revolving at the rate of 1,200 times a minute.
It was, therefore, the object of instruction at the Armament School
to so train the would-be pilot that he might have a thoroughly
grounded knowledge of the weapons he was destined to use. The need of
special tuition there given was further accentuated by the increasing
pressure on the instructors at the School of Aeronautics.
In March, 1918, the O.C. proposed to the War Office that this
School be set on foot immediately, and matters had been so far
advanced by May that necessary construction was well under way. Here
again the R.A.F., Canada, was fortunate in being the recipient of
much consideration from Canadian organizations. On learning that
accommodation was required for the purposes of the School, the
Canadian Westinghouse Company Limited, one of the most important
industrial concerns in Canada, most generously offered the use of
a large factory in Hamilton free of charge, together with adjacent
grounds, and shortly afterwards the brigade was further helped by
permission to use the area of a 9-hole golf course immediately
adjoining. This very considerate proposal was made by the Hamilton
Golf Club, and was gratefully accepted.
These preliminaries successfully arranged, the matter began to move
rapidly.
[Illustration: OFFICERS AND STAFF, ARMAMENT SCHOOL, HAMILTON.]
[Illustration: RIGGING FLIGHT, SCHOOL OF AERONAUTICS.
AEROPLANE DESIGN, SCHOOL OF AERONAUTICS.]
In May three officers and two non-commissioned officers left England
to form the nucleus of the instructional staff, bringing with them
such material as could be provided at the moment. The Aviation
Department of the Imperial Munitions Board assumed responsibility for
the physical portion of the work in hand, under the supervision of
the Royal Engineers section of the brigade. This provision included
ranges, armouries, workshops, instructional and lecture buildings, a
hospital, and the general adaptation of the interior of the factory
buildings to the purposes required.
All this advanced so swiftly that by June 19th, the factory building
was equipped, and the Armament School, which up to this time had
formed a portion of the Cadet Wing at Long Branch, moved to its new
quarters on June 20th.
The course of instruction called for a much further excursion into
applied mechanics than any portion of the tuition formerly given.
As it progressed, it soon became evident that the embryonic pilot
was keen for intimate knowledge of the guns on the efficiency of
which his future victories depended, and his general course was so
modulated as to give him the opportunity to master the last detail.
The question of a method of sighting which would allow a deflected
aim to be laid on a moving machine received mathematical attention,
as was also the synchronizing of a gun with the revolving blades of
the propeller. On this and other points, information was continually
being received and communicated through the School to other units of
the brigade.
Drafts of cadets, arriving on Wednesday afternoons, were immediately
handed over to the quartermaster’s department, where arrangements
for their domestic comfort were made for the four or five weeks they
were to remain. The following morning instruction began, first with
one gun, its description, action, care and possible troubles in the
air, accompanied by range work and constant handling. The question of
aiming was gradually introduced and ran progressively throughout the
course, until the pupil felt that he could, without effort, fire the
gun in the air, making allowances for his own speed and direction,
his enemy’s speed, direction and range, and instantaneously adapt his
fire to meet the ever-varying and never-ending manoeuvres of his own
and his enemy’s machine.
Both guns and sights having been mastered, the cadet was introduced
to the subject of gearing his gun to fire through his propeller
at varying rates of revolutions. The principle upon which this
gearing depended, though one of great difficulty in instruction, was
nevertheless the subject which, of all others, provoked the greatest
interest amongst the pupils.
Arrangements were completed to enable the pilot actually to carry out
the process of synchronizing his gears and propeller under conditions
which perfectly simulated his position in a machine. He was thus
enabled to watch the principle at work.
Instruction being completed in two guns, ammunition, aerial bomb
sights and synchronizing gears, another section of the School
undertook the pupils’ training in bombs, bomb dropping and bomb
sights.
The increasing importance of this subject was appropriately balanced
by the very wide range of sights and bomb-dropping apparatus
demonstrated by specially experienced instructors, whereby the
pupil was made cognizant of all the operations of loading bombs on
machines, fusing them, attaching the necessary releasing gear, and
so loading his machine that he could at will drop any type of bomb
suited to any target which might suddenly present itself, from a
group of infantry which needed scattering, to the ammunition dump to
be exploded.
[Illustration: LIBRARY, ARMAMENT SCHOOL, HAMILTON.
CADET BARRACKS, ARMAMENT SCHOOL, HAMILTON.]
[Illustration: ENGINE FLIGHT.
CLERGET ENGINE ON ROCKING NACELLE.]
[Illustration: TILTING.
CADET SPORTS.]
[Illustration: ENGINE TEST, CAMP BORDEN.
ENGINE REPAIR, CAMP BORDEN.]
The peculiar path taken by a bomb in falling from a machine with a
forward momentum imparted by the speed of the machine, needed very
special mathematical calculation to enable the pilot to release it at
a considerable distance from his objective, and to this end a variety
of bomb sights were explained and practised with from dummy machines
with unfused bombs over mechanically moving scenery.
The flying camps, to which cadets were posted on the completion of
their course in elementary gunnery, carried on further practices in
coöperation with this school, and instructors were sent to these
wings from time to time to coöperate, and to insure that no gaps or
overlaps occurred in the cadet’s training. By this means the pilot
who left this country for overseas was assured that he had covered
every section of the field of armament, and that no situation was
likely to occur during his flying career with which he could not deal.
In addition to the training of embryo pilots, courses of instruction
were conducted for observers, during which, for a period of three
weeks, they were made competent to handle the gun which they would be
required to use overseas. By the use of guns with camera attachment,
recording a photograph on a graduated screen instead of firing a
shot, the resultant photograph revealed to the observer the effect of
his shoot, and his graduation was not considered complete until he
was able to produce a collection of photographs which evidenced an
automatic and deadly aim.
During the period in which this School operated, an average of more
than 400 cadets per month was instructed, and the record which each
carried overseas showed a complete and thorough course of ground
training performed entirely under Canadian tuition.
AERIAL GUNNERY.
For the first few months, the Corps had an all sufficiency of work in
organizing depots, selecting aerodromes, arranging for recruiting,
and numberless other activities on all of which largely depended
whatever future success might be achieved. There was no aerial
gunnery for the reason that there were no instructors. What had been
done on the ground was elementary, and reasonably so, due to the lack
of material. Matters moved forward when the first instructors arrived
in Canada on April 25th, 1917, and, having formed a class of picked
mechanics (the instructors of the future), enabled the School of
Aerial Gunnery to be organized at Camp Borden on May 1st.
The School had just two guns and 18 pupils--the historic “eighteen”
who formed the first shipment of real pilots. The latter had no
aerial work--the overseas call was too imperative--but each fired 40
rounds at a ground target.
Meantime the School of Aeronautics was busy, and the effect became
noticeable. Camp Borden, relieved of much elementary training, did
higher and aerial work, and got for itself ranges, fixed targets and
silhouettes. The course lengthened to three weeks with 100 rounds
fired in the air from a Lewis gun--no aerial Vickers being available.
In July came more guns and equipment from England, the second course
began with 62 cadets and the state of affairs definitely improved.
Camera guns turned up, and became instantly popular. Work commenced
on fitting a timing gear so that the gun might shoot through the
propeller. The chief disadvantage was the shortage of serviceable
machines available.
[Illustration: ARMOURED LAUNCH FOR GUNNERY PRACTICE.]
[Illustration: SYNCHRONIZED VICKERS’ GUN.
SYNCHRONIZING GEAR.]
In August began the third course with sixty-six cadets and an
organization fairly complete, being forty officers and ten N.C.O.
instructors. Now, too a JN4 machine was converted to a JN4A with the
pilot in front and a Scarff mounting behind for the observer, as in
the Bristol fighter. A decided acquisition this, and a quantity were
ordered. Surprise deflection shooting was introduced. It was a busy
and interesting period.
The fourth course in September had 124 cadets. The tuition given
was of proved value. Lectures came in by the fighting instructor,
and naturally increased the pupils’ confidence. The latter were now
firing 750 rounds from the ground and 150 from the air, and the
squadron worked at high pressure to give each pupil three hours’
aerial gunnery flying--a matter of difficulty owing to the scarcity
of machines with synchronized guns. It was probably due to this that
cadets were getting too much Lewis gun observers’ work. The fault was
rectified, though the mountings were not entirely satisfactory.
The fifth course began in October with a total of 238 pupils, who
proceeded with the unit to Texas and enjoyed excellent facilities
which had been foreseen and provided. The number of available
machines increased, and were divided into C.C. gear (synchronized
gear) camera gun and turret machine flights. Actual aerial
instruction was given twenty-four hours after arrival at this far
Southern field.
The history of Royal Flying Corps gunnery in Texas is a progressive
document, too lengthy to give in detail. Here the unit had its first
target practice over water--Lake Worth proving ideal for the purpose,
and instruction was greatly aided owing to a better observation of
fire and a clearer angle of approach. In December the pupils turned
out numbered 264, an average flying time of practically five hours--a
marked improvement.
In January the aerial work of the School was further increased. Range
work (25 yards) was taken over by the wings. All synchronized guns
were moved from the side of the cowling to the top, thus creating
active service conditions. No. 2 squadron came into being with
twelve machines, giving 30 in toto, the work being done by flights.
Two machines were converted to Canadian Gothas, with the gun firing
through the bottom of the fuselage. The output of pupils increased to
310, with average flying time of 5½ hours.
February saw the use of a good armour-plated disappearing and running
target, and cadets also fired from a cage that travelled along a
cableway between two towers, but the speed was too low to be of
value. The February output was 313 pupils. The instructing personnel
had now increased to 60 officers (50 flying), 1 warrant officer, 60
N.C.O.’s and 250 men.
March, a busy month, with 336 pupils and flying time average of 6½
hours, was a record in output and time flown.
April saw the School on its own aerodrome at Beamsville, Ontario,
where facilities were ahead of anything heretofore existing. Came as
well a third squadron. The output was 243 pupils, all R.F.C. with 7
hours and 40 minutes flying, the record time to date.
In the following month the syllabus was amended, this being the
result of a visit to England by the officer in charge of Canadian
training. All straight target shooting was abolished, and deflection
sights were introduced so as to allow for a speed of 100 m.p.h. of an
enemy machine. Small model aeroplanes were built and set up beside
the targets. At these the pupil aimed, the deflection of the gun
sights bringing his shots on to the target where their accuracy was
of course registered. No less than 17 various practices were laid
down. The improvement in ground work soon became noticeable.
[Illustration: RANGE CONSTRUCTED BY AVIATION DEPARTMENT AT
BEAMSVILLE.]
[Illustration: SHOOTING THROUGH PROPELLER.
BESIDE THE FUSELAGE.
VARIOUS GUN MOUNTINGS.
GROUND PRACTICE.]
In May, also, the Armament School opened at Hamilton, and relieved
the School of Aerial Gunnery of giving elementary instruction after
pupils had already learned to fly.
During June a fourth squadron was added to train observers
exclusively, enabling the School to adopt the ideal principle of
giving all pilot cadets synchronized gear and camera gun training,
and all observer cadets instruction in Lewis and turret camera guns,
the sequence being as follows:--
1. 1 hour dual camera gun--12 pictures of silhouette taken by
diving on it from behind.
2. 1 hour dual, with pictures of a target machine in the air,
allowing for speed of 100 m.p.h. and necessary deflection.
3. Dual, on C.C. gear (instructor in back seat) diving at angle
of 60° to 45° at silhouettes in Lake Ontario, 200 rounds or one
hour.
4. Dual, 1 hour or at least 60 rounds with gun stoppages. This
determines the pupil’s proficiency in clearing jambs.
5. Dual, enfiling with C.C. gear, 200 rounds diving from 1,000 to
100 feet at dummy trench in Lake Ontario.
During all firing over the water, observations are taken from a watch
tower, and a complete report of all results is compiled.
There follows then another 4 hours’ dual, after which the pupil goes
solo and repeats all he has previously done under the watchful eye of
his instructor.
Arriving at the final instructional squadron, there ensues an
ultimate 4 hours’ dual work before the nearly graduated pilot is
asked to do one spiral, two vertical banks, three loops, four
Immelmann turns, five half-rolls and six complete rolls. During
all this time he is equipped with a camera gun, and expected to
manoeuvre into a position favorable for attacking another machine,
simultaneously avoiding being photographed himself by an opponent.
This brought about marked proficiency, and it was proved quite
clearly that pilots had been going overseas with too much straight
shooting and not enough practice during stunting. The new system,
however, brought tuition up to conditions actually existing at the
front at the time. Several experienced pilots became available, and
their lectures were most valuable. The output of cadets was (June)
182, but the average flying had gone up to 11 hours.
In July the School became that of Aerial Fighting--a more descriptive
title, since tactics were so prominent in its course. The contrast
with June of 1917 was somewhat remarkable, there being now 92
officers and 700 other ranks. During this month rocking nacelles and
Scarff mountings were introduced for all ground work, and all pilot
instructors were arranged to be examined monthly. This led to the
discovery that refresher courses were necessary in cases, these being
forthwith commenced. The month’s output was 262, with flying time
with guns of 11 hours.
In August, the observers’ course was well under way, being a
modification of that arranged for pilots. There was naturally no C.C.
shooting, but instruction covered every practical method of firing
at possible targets from the observer’s seat. This month there were
graduated 246 pupils with a slightly reduced flying time of 9½
hours.
[Illustration: WING OFFICE, ETC.--BEAMSVILLE.
RANGES--BEAMSVILLE.]
[Illustration: CABLE WAY FOR GUNNERY PRACTICE, TEXAS.
(SINCE OUT OF DATE.)]
[Illustration: R.A.F. CAN.--OUTPUT OF PILOTS--SCHOOL OF AERIAL
GUNNERY]
By September pupils were passing all tests under the same instructor
in any one squadron. This, coupled with the use of speaking tubes,
was of considerable help. Further guns, gears and equipment had come
in from England, and the situation was now vastly different from
that which pertained to earlier months when the School was forced to
manufacture much of its own equipment. Instruction was going well,
and the output reached 270, with a flying time of more than 9 hours.
The officer personnel expanded in October to 110, this being of
great assistance. Pilots were limited to three hours per day in the
air, and, in consequence, machines had not been reaching a maximum
flying time. The effect of good instruction at the Armament School
was now most noticeable, as pupils were coming through with increased
technical knowledge of gunnery and guns. The first Canadian-built
Avro machine was flown during this month, with a most satisfactory
performance. The output touched 281 and flying time 10 hours.
Such in brief is the record. The value may best be judged by the
service rendered by those who passed from the harmless silhouettes
floating on the smooth surface of Lake Ontario to engage the deadlier
machines that haunted the high altitudes over the Western front.
CAMERA GUNNERY.
Before carrying out aerial practice with machine guns, embryo pilots
and observers are required to attain a certain standard in camera gun
work, both on the ground and in the air. The camera used is designed
to resemble, both in operation and in appearance, the Lewis machine
gun, the difference being that upon the trigger being released the
camera gun registers a photograph upon a film. Reloading is by
pulling back the cocking handle, which brings another film into place.
Practices being concluded, the cadet takes his own film to the
nearest photographic sub-station, where it is developed in about ten
minutes, and, still wet, is then submitted to the instructor, who
forthwith criticizes the work of his pupil in the presence of the
latter.
The camera gun is best suited for enabling the pupil (pilot or
observer) to ascertain his proficiency in the use of deflection
sights, and his ability to place the enemy machine in correct
position in the ring, according to his line of flight. Errors in
aiming are checked by the photograph being taken through a glass
screen, this being marked with circles, each valued at seven and
a half feet taken from 200 yards’ distance, which is the distance
advised for commencing a combat. On examining the film, after
development, the instructor can explain the error in deflection or
elevation by the position of the machine in relation to the rings.
In the illustrations, these being from camera gun films, will be
noted the enemy machine as seen by the gunner through the ring sight
at the moment of firing. In the first case the aim is low and to the
right. In the second print the pupil has fired low and in front. The
encircled dot shows the point at which the gunner should have aimed
when the pilot of the target machine was flying directly toward the
inner ring at 100 miles per hour.
On taking to the air with the camera gun, the observer is piloted
by an instructor, and is initiated not only in the photographing of
other machines, but also in manoeuvres which have for their object
the avoidance of being photographed by the opposing camera gun.
Finally, the pupil engages in aerial combat with another machine
piloted by a “hostile” instructor, and each machine attempts to
“shoot down” the other. In this contest the pilot or observer who
obtains the most accurate pictures is counted the victor. Every
principle of aerial fighting as taught both in lectures and in the
air, is practised, and upon its completion the results, as inflexibly
registered by the camera gun, are subject to the keenest criticism.
[Illustration: CAMERA GUNNERY.]
[Illustration: 82ND SQUADRON.]
WIRELESS.
It was, of course, recognized from the very first that thorough
acquaintance not only with every means of communication from the air
to the ground, but also ability to read every signal necessarily
transmitted from the ground to the air, was one of the most important
requirements in the training of a pilot.
The ranging of guns (particularly heavies), the finding of targets
and their destruction have all been successfully accomplished
by coöperation between the pilot and the communicating battery.
Numberless devices have been experimentally tried such as coloured
lights, signalling by lamps, etc., etc.; but none proved a means of
communication which was not only reliable but which also afforded
no invitation to attack by the enemy. As the outcome, the wireless
system from the aeroplane to the ground, and ground strips, or
panneau, from the ground to the aeroplane were adopted and uniformly
used. As far as concerns the training work of the Canadian wing of
the Royal Flying Corps, the methods used were naturally those already
established in England.