Aircraft type – 1929 at Calshot

I’m a bit excited to find this thread after finding the photo of the DH9a with F/S Crocker.

My half-Uncle served in the RAF, and died at Calshot in 1928 of Typhoid (aged 27). He was an Aircraftman 1st class, A. G. Wright.

There is an AC/1 Wright 6th from the left, back row.

As this photo has now been almost certainly identified as being in the Middle East in 1927, is there any chance that a ground crew would be a unit, and that when F/S Croker was posted to Calshot, my Uncle (if it is him) moved with him? I have no idea how ground crew were organised.

My grandfather is reported to have said that Alfie flew over Newcastle (his home town) in a plane once. Would ground crew have ever flown? I have a picture of Alfie somewhere (still trying to find it again) with him posing at RAF Halton holding a flying helmet.

I have just sent off for Alfie’s service record. I don’t know what it will contain or how long it will take, so I may get answers to some of these questions, but if anyone has any insights I’m all ears. My Mother is still around (aged 89) and has become very interested in my research.

Thankyou all for your efforts .I have passed the information on to F/S Crocker’s grandson.

As an aside, the image of the Thorneycroft Seaplane Lighter is an interesting one; looking at the number on the side, it looks like it could be H3 (M3?), which means that it was the modified platform from which Charles Rumney Sampson and Stuart Culley – at different times, flew a Sopwith Camel in experiments for intercepting Zeppelins whilst under tow by a destroyer. Culley, of course went on to shoot down the Zeppelin L 53 after launching from one of these, not sure if it was H3. The trestle that the after most chap is leaning on was for resting the tail on before launch.

The platform was essentially an unobstructed deck mounted on a slope fitted to a seaplane transporter, designed to extend the range of flying boats at sea. The deck was mounted on a slope after Sampson’s first attempt on 30 May 1918, when the Camel struggled to get airborne because the lighter assumed a stern down attitude under tow at speed. The first successful launch was made by Culley flying 2F1 Camel N6812 (the Camel at IWM) whilst under tow by the destroyer HMS Truculent on 31 July 1918.

I would agree that its a DH9 of some description – if not for that streamlined fuel tank or whatever on the top left with the pipework leading to the engine. Looking at other DH9A images….. I just dont see it!

Local mod maybe?

Great photos there Dave, how do you like the angle some of the hats are worn? 😀

Some look quite “jaunty”.

I was struck by F/O Cooke who is wearing puttees with shoes and a different (older?) style of cap.