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NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS : 31 First Avenue, Acton, London, W.3. 
Hon. General Secretary: 
GERALD J. POLLINGER. 
EDITORIAL OFFICE : 32 Netherhall Way, Cambridge 

BRITISH MILITARY AVIATION NEWS 

Edited by 
M.J.F. BOWYER 

(For Private Circulation Only) 

PUBLISHED BY AIR-BRITAIN The National Association of Aviation Enthusiasts 
FOUNDED 1948 

VOL. VIII NUMBER 1 JANUARY 1958 

In Print at Last 

It is ironic that as the shadow 
of the missile age begins to blot 
out the military aircraft scene BMAN
should at last appear in print. 
We shall be echoing the thoughts 
of many readers in wishing the new 
baby rapid strong growth - As the 
axe deprives British military aviation 
of so much only BMAN seems to 
have gained in strength! Like all 
babies it needs plenty of food and 
this you can supply. The process by 
which BMAN is produced permits the 
inclusion of photographs. We take 
this opportunity of inviting you 
to contribute what you can in our 
line. Prints of even tone and good 
definition up to half plate size 
are most suitable. They must in 
no way contravene official bans on 
photography. 

We see in the new BMAN the best 
opportunity yet presented for all 
enthusiasts with an interest in 
military aircraft to show some of 
their photographic treasures and 
allow some useful record to be 
kept for the benefit of all. What 
can you contribute ? 

[photo]

Eric Taylor's photo, of XG265 is 
the first to show a Hunter F.6 
of No.66 Squadron. 

[photo]

Following the series on Bristol 
twins a reader requested data on 
the Buckingham's camouflage pattern. 
KV335 is shown here. 

[photo]

One of several Brigands used for 
a variety of odd jobs was RH753 
employed by M.L. Aviation at 
White Waltham. (Photo: M.Gradidge) 

[photo]

Photographs of the Meteor P.R.1 
are rare. VS975 is the first one 
to appear in print wearing a P.R. 
finish of med.sea grey/azure blue 

Photo by C.P.Smith. 

[end page] 1

IN SERVICE NO.1 - THE BOULTON PAUL BALLIOL 

[photo]

WF989, first production Balliol. 
(Photo: M.P.Marsh) 

[photo]

WN522 of No.238 O.C.U., 1955. 

[photo]

WL716, second Mk.21 for the R.N. 

[photo]

WG135 at the 1953 R.A.F.Review. 

[photo]

Balliol T.2 G-ANSF at the 1954 
S.B.A.C. Display. 

Heading photograph reproduced 
by kind permission of Boulton 
Paul Aircraft. 

Silhouette of the Balliol T.2 
reproduced by kind permission 
of "The Aircraft of the World" 

[3 view]
[end page] 2

The Boulton Paul Balliol is becoming 
a rare sight. Based upon the P.108 
(Mercury 30) VL892 which first 
flew 30-5-47 the Balliol was developed 
to Spec. T.7/45. The second 3-seater 
P.108 VL917 (A.S. Mamba) was 
the world's first single turboprop 
aircraft and flew 24-3-48. A second 
similar machine VL935 flew 17-5-48. 
A change in official policy resulted 
in another version to Spec. T.14/47 
designated T.Mk.2 powered by 
a Merlin 35 and seating two. Four 
prototypes of this version were 
built VW897-900 inclusive of which 
the first flew 10-7-48. An order 
was placed for 17 Balliol T.2 
pre-production aircraft VR590-606 and 
large contracts came later. Some of 
these were cancelled in 1951 after 
another change in official policy. 
Production of the T.2 totalled 153 
by B.P. at Wolverhampton and 30 by 
Blackburns. The first production 
aircraft flew April 1952 and later 
was used by 7 F.T.S. at Cottesmore, 
the only F.T.S. equipped with this 
type following successful service 
at C.F.S. for special duties. 

During 1952 a few were at 
C.F.E. for special duties. At the 
end of 1952 deliveries began to No.7 
F.T.S. but a year later the Balliols 
had been withdrawn some going 
to Cranwell where they wore the 
College's blue "T bands". Other 
Balliols were used to equip No.288 
Sqdn. and later some were used to 
assist in the training of A.I. 
operators by 238 O.C.U. at Colerne. 

The Squadrons and their aircraft 

No 7 Squadron - Part one. 
1/5/14 - 8/14 Formed at Netheravon 
using a B.E.8 and a Sopwith 
Tabloid. Disbanded in August, 
aircraft and crews going to other 
units. 
25/9/14 - 3/15 Reformed at Farnborough 
using 2 Moranes, 2 Henri 
Farmans, 2 Bleriot Monoplanes, one 
Vickers, and three B.E.'s. Formed 
No.4 Wing with No.1 Sqdn. Moved 
to Netheravon 22-10-14 where it 

served as a training sqdn. getting 
a nucleus of 11 Sqdn. ready 
for France. 

8/4/15 - 9/15 Proceeded to Saint 
Omer after re-equipping with two 
flights of R.E.5 and one of F.B.5 
Gunbus fighters. The latter were 
replaced soon after by Voisins 
and on 9-5-15 the unit was using 
7 R.E.5 and 4 Voisins. Tac. recon. 
bombing and artillery observation 
were the duties carried out. Based 
at St. Omer till 12-9-15. one flt. 
detached to Boulogne till 26-5-15. 
First ops were undertaken on 16th. 
April. 

9/15 - 6/17 Began getting B.E.2c 
in September and by 25-9-15 had 
only two R.E.5 still on strength. 
Later used B.E.2d and 2e and one 
or two Bristol Scout D. Moved to 
2nd Wing at Droglandt on 12-9-15 
and to Bailleul on 12-11-15. In 
February 1916 No.7 became a Corps 
squadron. During the first Battle 
of the Somme the squadron used 
8 B.E.2c and 4 B.E.2d and was in 
2(Corps) Wing, II Brigade. "C" Flt. 
was attached to No.4 Sqdn. in July 
1916 and later in the month the 
rest of the unit moved to Warlay 
joining Nos.4 and 15 Sqdns. being 
part of the 15th. Wing. Worked with 
the 1st. Australian Div. during the 
2nd. Battle of the Somme in Sept, 
1916. in 1917 moved to Moreuil nr. 
Amiens. Establishment then raised 
from 15 to 21 aircraft. joined the 
2nd. Wing at Provene in May 1917. 

Subject for Investigation No.63 
The Supermarine Southampton 

Supermarine to the lay man is 
synonymous with Spitfire yet for 
many years the company engaged 
in the development of marine aircraft. 
Perhaps the most famous of 
these were the Southamptons. 

Following the development of 
small boats Supermarine devoted 
much attention to the design of 
Schneider Racers. Then in 1924 the 
Air Ministry issued Spec.18/24 

[end page] 3

calling for a twin-engined recco. 
marine aircraft. To meet the spec. 
versions of the civil Swan were 
projected. Following the chosen 
design came the five-seater all 
wood Southampton prototype N218 
which first flew 14-3-25 powered 
by Napier Lions. production commenced 
in 1925 with N9696. The first 
twenty-four aircraft incld. N9897-N9906 
incl., S1037-1044 incl., had 
wooden hulls - These aircraft were 
powered by 2 x Napier Lion 5 and 
had a maximum speed of 107 m.p.h. 
at sea level, cruised at 85 m.p.h. 
landed at 56 m.p.h., had a normal 
range of 585 miles. Initial climb 
was 610 f.p.m., service ceiling 
14,000 ft., empty weight 9,210 lb. 
and loaded weight 14,300 lb. Dimensions 
were span 75', length 50', 
height 18'6". 

During 1925/26 a metal hull was 
developed for the Southampton and 
test flown on N218 in 1926. A version 
of the Southampton to Spec. 
1/27 with a metal hull was called 
Mk.2. The anodically treated dural 
hull turned out 540 lb. lighter 
than the wooden version and the 
elimination of water seepage allowed 
an extra 400 lb. fuel to be 
carried giving a range of 930 mls. 
on 550 gals. Twenty metal hulls 
were then built for retrospective 
fitment to some of the Mk.1 built. 

Supermarine Southampton Mk.2 

[3 view S1233]

Drawn by R.Meredith D.F.C., B.Sc. 

[photo]
[photo]

The last home based day fighter 
squadron operating Meteor F.8 was 
No.245. WK947 in the top picture 
can be seen to wear the white 
tail used by defenders in last 
May's large scale Exercise. Below 
is Hunter F.4 XE686 of No.245 Sqn. 
bearing a tiny nose marking. 
(Photo. by A.J.Wright). 

[photo]

WT948 is by way of a foretaste 
for our next issue will have a 
maritime flavour. 

[end page] 4