French Air Show July'38 - Hurricane & Gladiator procession
 

Hello everyone,

The popular airshow "Fête de l'Air" was done at Villacoublay airfield, near Paris on 10 july'38.
At this occasion, a franco-british air procession was organized. At the end, 9 Hurricanes flew "impeccably" then succeeded a patrol of three Gladiator bounded by a ribbon. They performed aerobatic figures despite a low ceiling. When Gladiators landed, "the God Save The Queen" resounded.
Does someone has an idea what was the unit of these Hurricane & Gladiator?

Thanks in advance
Cheers
Jerome

Re: French Air Show July'38 - Hurricane & Gladiator procession
 

Hi Jerome,

The Gladiators were from 87 Squadron. Three of its pilots, Flying Officer G.H.J. Feeny, Pilot Officer R.L. Lorimer and Sergeant Dewdney stunned the crowd by performing tied-together aerobatics.

Also at the time they would have played "God save the King."

Alex

Re: French Air Show July'38 - Hurricane & Gladiator procession
 

Hello Alex,

Thanking you for the info on the Gladiator unit, the 87 Squadron. Do you know where this unit was based in England around this date?

Re the pilots, I don't know the fate of these pilots during the WW2 but I guess that F/O Feeny died when the Aircraft carrier Glorious sunk in June '40 whereas F/O Lorimer participate to the "Campagne de France" with Hurricane, N° 1 squadron - B.E.F. on May'40

Regards

Jerome

Re: French Air Show July'38 - Hurricane & Gladiator procession
 

The Hurricanes will have been from 111 Sq. There has been considereable discussion on the modelling boards about the colours used for the squadron numbers on these aircraft. I don't recall the Gladiators having been mentioned, or indeed photographed?

Re: French Air Show July'38 - Hurricane & Gladiator procession
 

Graham, you are right. This was entirely discussed in the thread "111 Sqn RAF at 1938 Paris Air Show" set in the tab "Pre-WW2 Military and Naval Aviation"
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=9466

Hence the question to move this thread in the same area ;)

Jerome