Hi all,
Can anyone out there offer any info to the attached photos. These original 1920 /30’s vintage shots that look to be taken in Japan, showing a flying boat with Japanese officials / press looking on.
The other from the same set showing the pilot of above, being greeted, with what looks to be a Royal Navy chap (judging from his cap badge), hovering behind??
Happy new year, Chumpy.
By: chumpy - 10th January 2008 at 22:41
Just a bit of a follow up here, after a spot of Googling got in contact with the Grand Daughter of the pilot!
Yes this is Sqd Ldr MacClaren at Kasumigaura naval air station, Japan, during the 1924 round the world attempt.
So many thanks to you guys for getting in contact, would not have made the conection without your spark!
Cheers, Chumpy.
By: pogno - 1st January 2008 at 23:26
[QUOTE=contrailjj;1199422]I’m intrigued by what appears to be an inflatable hangar.
The hangar is a Bessonneau portable one, also known as the Type H, used by the RAF and other air forces since WW1. A small number are still in use, one at Odiham for example being the home of the gliding club. See this web site
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/aircollection/bessonneau2.htm
Richard
By: chumpy - 1st January 2008 at 14:40
Papa Lima, know what you mean about recognising faces etc!
Though to my eyes the chap standing in the cockpit on page 126 certainly resembles, the guy in my photo. Looks as if he may have a moustachce but the repro in Putnam book not that good, the other two though are clean shaven, so not them!
By: Papa Lima - 1st January 2008 at 14:08
I now agree with you, Chumpy, about the Vulture, comparing it with the Vulture head-on view on page 125. In fact Sqn Ldr MacLaren is pictured on the next page of the said book, but I am hopeless at recognising faces so I couldn’t say if that is the same person in the second posted picture, or either of the two others who made the trip, as they are all in the Putnam’s picture.
By: chumpy - 1st January 2008 at 13:43
Thanks for all the input so far, especially Papa Lima!
Looking through the said Putnam volume I reckon the aircraft is maybe a Vulture rather than a Viking. Note single bay wings rather than the double of the Viking.
Thus possibly the round the world flight attempt by MacClaren etc of 1924, page 125/6 of the Vickers Putnam? Mac maybe the guy shaking hands with the officer??
Again thanks for the info. Chumpy.
By: Papa Lima - 1st January 2008 at 12:37
The Imperial Japanese Navy ordered two Vikings in 1922, and it certainly looks very much like a Viking.
“They were test flown by Major H. G. Brackley off the carrier Hosho in March 1933 on acceptance trials, having been ordered as fleet spotters . . .” (Putnam’s Vickers book, page 119)
By: contrailjj - 1st January 2008 at 07:35
I’m intrigued by what appears to be an inflatable hangar.
Location… I’m more inclined to think it may be China. Also rather interesting in the second photo… no one is really looking at anyone in particular – during what appears to be an ‘official’ presentation of the pilot(?)
By: G-ASEA - 31st December 2007 at 18:55
It could be a Vickers Viking 111(N147). That did service trials on HMS Argus in 1922 . But there was a Supermarine Seagull 1 and Surpermarine Channel 11 at Tokyo naval base in the 20’s. I also have photos of these flying boats taken in Japan.
Happy New Year
Dave
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December 31, 2007 at 4:42 pm