The following is a summary of my outstanding queries about the matters I raised in my previous messages in this thread:
ARNOLD BERTRAM ERIC GRAHAM – Cross Channel Service
Arnold Graham was involved in an air accident while flying an Avro 504K on 20th August 1922. Air Ministry Accidents Investigation Branch conducted an investigation and the report included the following:
“The pilot graduated in the service in 1917 and relinquished his commission on account of ill-health in November, 1919. He was granted a Civil Licence, for a period of 3 months, after two practical tests at Kenley in July last. From April 1919 until the day before the accident he had not flown an aeroplane as pilot in full charge, the dual control tests at Kenley and his employment as “Second Pilot” on the Channel Service since last July , being his only air experience during the period”
Oral history also suggests that he worked on the Channel Service for a time.
The questions that arise about his employment on the Channel Service are when, which airline and what type of aircraft.
It appears from the above that “…since last July…” refers to both the tests at Kenley and to the Channel Service although one cannot be certain. It is also unknown what the writer meant by “…since last July”. My understanding is that correct use would imply July 1921 as the previous month in 1922 should be referred to as “this July”. However, Peter Elliott, Head of Archives at the RAF Museum tells me that in the Royal Aero Club archive there is which states that in 1922 Arnold was licensed to fly Avro 504Ks.
From this further questions arise:
When did the testing of civil pilots commence?
Was it necessary, at that time, for second pilots to be tested?
Did Arnold’s employment on the Channel Service occur between sometime in July 1922 and when he started flying an Avro 504K on 19th August 1922 or was it earlier?
Regarding which aircraft he flew on the Channel Service, Adrian Constable told me, via the ‘Aviation Forum’ that:
“There were few commercial aircraft of that time, O/400 included, which actually had a “co-pilot” as we now understand the role. Most were single pilot operated and dual controls were unusual. Some, like the DH.34, had a seat beside the pilot for a navigator or engineer, but it was not unusual for neither of those roles to be required, so the seat would be occupied by an additional passenger (if one was available). The Handley page O-series cockpit was spacious enough for two seats, but generally the pilot sat on the right and while the space to his left did have a folding seat, it was more often simply a corridor to the nose ‘gunner’s station’, which might be occupied by one or two passengers.
I await correction by someone with a wider knowledge, but I think just about the only commercial aircraft which did have a ‘proper’ dual control cockpit, and carry two pilots regularly, was Instone’s famous Vimy Commercial, G-EASI.”
Based on information in ‘The Imperial Airways Fleet’ by John Stroud and other sources I cannot find any aircraft in service in July/August 1922 that could possibly have a dual cockpit. Aircraft that did have a crew of 2 usually appear to have had a pilot and mechanic. If he was on the Channel Service prior to July 1922 there may be possible aircraft although I can see no 0/400 that was still in service by the time Arnold had left the RAF.
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