Sqn (capital “s”) is still used officially.

Is it correct that in the RAF it is pronounced f.ex “Two squadron” / 2 Sqn ? And in the USAF f. ex. “Twenty second squadron” / 22’nd Sqn ?

Best regards

It has a little to do with money, I believe. There was a “bestseller” book about the Bermuda Triangle. Some years after I discovered a paperback by a librarian, that had researched every instance – ships and planes. Very amusingly he put every story “to rest”. (Sorry! Can’t prove it tonight)

Best regards

Fair enough! “We’ll be back!”

Originally posted by Jeanske_SN
Erm, what if all the respectable, educational and interesting people go (pilots, cabin crew etc)? Then this forum will be a dump for bad stuff!

Jeanske_SN: I’m impressed! You’ve got wisdom way beyond your years. 😉

A few more details: Powles was probably lucky that his Spitfire was trimmed as it was. Rudder for the torque of the prop. at around 2.700 RPM. Yawing, but it felt as he was being shaken by a giant hand. He pushed (and pulled) but only to the point, that he felt something else might break in the controls. Pushing might actually have delayed recovery! During the descent he saw condensation clouds above the wings – unknown to him before. We see it now in damp conditions when modern fighters zip around the sky.

The RAE tests were prompted by dozens of British and American fighters diving straight into the ground. “George” Bullman, Hawker test pilot, made a study of compressibility, also in the USA, and made a booklet in early 1943: “Piloting Techniques at Compressibility Speeds”. As Gunston says this almost certainly saved aircraft and lives.

Best regards

Yes, maybe there is more to it. I’ve been listening to Drakens for 25 years (with Swedish built and modified Avon engines) – sadly no more! On a few occasions, once or twice a year, they would make that “sound”. So much that you would take notice and think: “Where did I hear that before?”. Usually going from high speed to low and more or less at idle. Could of course be from other “things”!:confused:

Best regards

“SRD” above was my own invention in the middle of the night = Stress Related Disorder. (Sounds autentic 😉 )

Short rundown of Powles flight:

At 51.550 ft (true height) the pressurisation light came on, so he wanted to descent below 43.000 quickly. Pushed the control column forward, pulled throttle back to 1/3 position, pitch lever to 2.200 RPM. He didn’t close the throttle as he had earlier experience of the carburettor freezing, when he had reached low level. When opening up it once came unstuck, when he had the throttle fully open. The torque flipped the Spit. on to its back! Powles was checking the pressure seal around the canopy for holes, the aircraft started to shake and he saw the ASI passing 280 kts (Pilots Notes not above 260 above 40.000 ft). He immediately pulled back, but the a/c just dived steeper. The stick was immovable, and he thought about using the elevator trim, but was afraid of overstressing. He then remembered a test pilot had pulled out by pushing (control reversal). Maybe he could “bunt” out (would have made some red eyes!). The vibration and yawing stopped (thicker air) and there was less resistance in the column, the nose dropped further, so he quickly reversed and pulled to the edge of black out putting his feet on the top (dogfight) rudder pedals. He could see the instruments again (no vibration) and saw 500 kts rapidly dropping. Altimeter 3.300 ft. The cockpit iced over inside from condensation. Artificial horizon toppled, directional gyro spinning. Caging/ uncaging the gyro he used it and turn/slip needle, VSI and ASI to level at 4.600 ft. He had lost 48.000 ft in less than a minute! The carb. was indeed frozen but he had 4 psi boost and increased the RPM to 2.600 and started to climb above the unseen 5.000 ft peaks in the area. He aligned the gyro with the compass and called for a QDM. Opened the small airvent in the canopy. After five minutes the canopy was thawed enough to open with some difficulty. He landed OK, but was soaking wet to the socks, Mae West – everything! Besides sweating it out he was white as the wellknown sheet.

I must admit this makes my heart beat a little faster!

Best regards