The AIR-BRITAIN Militarv Aviation Historical Quanerlv

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5332 was one of the small batch of F.K.2s built as trials aircraft for the F.K.3. It was tested at CFS with an oleo undercarriage. It was later passed to No.2B Squadron at Gosport. Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3 By Gordon Page and Jim Halley Armstrong and Whilworth were big names in engineering, their products ranging from artillery, warships, airships, ammunition, aircraft engines and, probably most famously, nuts and bolts which became the Whitworth standard sizes for aircraft production for decades. Aircraft production began with orders for B.E.2a, B.E.2b and B.E.2c to be built at a new factory at Gosforth, outside Newcastle, converted from an ice rink. On the staff was a Dutch engineer, Frederick Koolhoven, who had arrived from his position as chief engineer at the British Deperdussin Syndicate in Highgate in June 1913. One of his first designs was for the F.K.1, a single-seat type that was underpowered and remained a prototype. With production of B.E.2s under way, Koolhoven designed a similar aircraft in the shape of the F.K.2. This was a simplified version of the B.E.2c to speed up production. It was ordered into production in July 1915 but was followed up by largescale production of the F.K.3, with modifications found desirable during the tests of what were in effect production prototypes. Improvements had been made in construction features by eliminated most of the welding and cutting down on complicated metal fittings. The prototype was fitted with a 70 hp Renault engine but production examples had the 90 hp RAF 1 a as standard. Initially the F.K.3 followed B.E.2 practice in having the observer in the forward cockpit and the pilot in the rear but it was decided to modify the arrangement to provide a large cockpit which would accommodate the crew back to back. This provided a defensive rear gun position where the observer had a Lewis gun on a mounting post. No forwardfiring guns were fitted although attempts had been made to find an offset mounting that would miss the propeller or struts when fired by the pilot. It was not adopted as standard. Bomb racks under the wings could take up to 112 Ib of bombs. A shortage of engines resulted in some aircraft being fitted with 120 hp Beardmore engines. This was heavier than the RAF 1 a and also reduced the forward view of the pilot. The fuel tanks were moved as the 120 hp engines used more petrol and the weight increased by 400 Ibs. Performance was 160 only slightly improved and those given Beardmore engines were later converted back to RAF 1 as. Despite having a better performance than the B.E.2c, the F.K.3 did not see service in France. Production aircraft were shipped to Greece, where No.47 Squadron supported the Allied forces faCing the Bulgarian army north of Salonika in Macedonia. Other squadrons received a few F.K.3s while mobilising , including Nos.28, 34, 35, 42, 43, 52, 53, 55, 58, 59, 63, 69, 110, 121 and 126. These included both standard and trainer versions. Many F.K.3s were issued to training schools in Britain until the end of the war. They went to reserve/training squadrons and other training units as shown in the tables. At the end of the war, 53 were still on home establishment and nine in the Middle East. They soon disappeared apart from four which were sold and received civil registrations, G-EABY (ex B9629), G-EABZ (ex B9518), G-EAEU (ex B9612) and G-EALK (ex B9603) . None of these survived very long. Aircraft Tables In the absence of any systemised record cards surviving from the First World War, details of the activities of F.K.3s have been compiled from surviving records of squadrons and training units that have been preserved. There are many gaps in these while a number of aircraft have no record. These were probably put directly into storage but were never issued to RFC/RAF units. Included are the first seven aircraft built as F.K.2s as virtually pre-production aircraft for the definitive F.K.3. 7 Armstrong Whitworth F.K.2s ordered under Cont No 941A1103 from Sir WG Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Gosforth, Newcastle, and numbered 5328 to 5334 (70-hp Renault or 90-hp RAF 1a) 5328 (c/n A.w.2c) Deld Mkrs to RAF Farnborough by 13.7.15; CFS Upavon by 8.15; 21 Sqn Netheravon to 7 RS Netheravon 8.1.16; 42 Sqn Filton by 6.5.16; 4 Wing ARS Netheravon 31.7.16; 20 Sqn Filton Aeromilitaria - Winter 2010
5329 Deld Mkrs to Admin Wing Farnborough 24.7.15; 4 RAS Northolt 20.8.15; 21 Sqn Netheravon 16.12.15; 7 RAS Netheravon 8.1.16; 42 Sqn Filton from 29.7.16 5330 (c.n A.W.2e) Deld Mkrs to RAF Farnborough 13.8.15; 21 Sqn Netheravon to 7 RAS Netheravon 8.1.16; 42 Sqn Filton 26.5.16; wa 2.7.16 sac 5331 Deld Mkrs to RAF Farnborough 13.8.15; Admin Wing Farnborough to 21 Sqn Netheravon 14.9.15; 7 RAS Netheravon 8.1 .16 5332 (RAF 1a) Tested CFS Upavon with oleo undercarriage, comparison with 1755 31.8.15; 1 AP Sl.amer 8.9.15; retd England 12.9.15; CFS Upavon to 28 Sqn Gosport 22.4.16; photo shows the alc with undercarriage wiped off 5333 Deld Mkrs to RAF Farnborough 28.8.15; Admin Wing Farnborough to CFS Upavon 31 .8.15 5334 Deld 7 RAS Netheravon 21 .8.15; 21 Sqn Netheravon to 7 RAS Netheravon 8.1 .16; CFS Upavon; crashed and sac 6.4.16 50 Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3s ordered under Cont No 941A1103 from Sir WG Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Gosforth, Newcastle and numbered 5504 to 5553 (90-hp RAF 1 a unless otherwise stated) 5504 CFS Upavon; to 28 Sqn Gosport 19.4.16; shipped to Salonika 9.16; 47 Sqn Macedonia. Ditched in sea 19.10.16 (Lt HW Dartnell & Lt Dore); sac 24.10.16 5505 (120hp Beardmore) . Deld 47 Sqn Macedonia 19.9.16 fitted with RAF4a 5506 47 Sqn Beverley, spring 1916; 36 flS Beverley by 9.16 5507 43 Sqn Stirling/Raploch from 29.5.16; sac 18.8.16 5508 (120hp Beardmore) Shipped to Salonika; 47 Sqn Macedonia from 10.16; 47 Sqn Macedonia by 21 .7.17; Salonika AP by 17.9.17; 47 Sqn. Crashed in forced landing on bombing and reconnaissance sortie 14.30 5.10.17 (GC Gardiner & AS Clark); sac 8.10.17 5509 47 Sqn Beverley, spring 1916; 15 RS Doncaster from 28.4.16 - 5.16 5510 47 Sqn Beverley, spring 1916; 53 Sqn Catterick; 52 Sqn Hounslow Heath from 9.8.16; 42 RS Hounslow 10.11.16 5511 47 Sqn Beverley by 6.16 - 8.16; 36 RSfTS Beverley by 6.17 - 8.17 5512 47 Sqn Beverley, spring 1916; 53 Sqn Catterick from 19.6.16; 43 Sqn Stirling/Raploch 21 .8.16; 63 Sqn Stirling/Raploch 30.8.16; wa 23.9.16 5513 To France 25.3.16 (fitted with Challenger gun gear); 47 Sqn Beverley by 8.16; 36 RS Beverley by 8.16 - 9.16 5514 36 (HD) Sqn Cramlington from 22.6.16; 58 Sqn Cramlington 8.7.16; Mkrs 19.7.16; 58 Sqn Cramlington to 63 Sqn Cramlington 15.12.16; wa 22.12.16 5515 47 Sqn Beverley, spring 1916. Wrecked 22.7.16 5516 47 Sqn Beverley by 6.116 - 7.16; 36 RS Beverley by 8.16 - 9.16 5517 36 (HD) Sqn Cramlington from 23.6.16; 58 Sqn Cramlington 8.7.16; 63 Sqn Cramlington 20.12.17; wa 4.1.17 5518 34 Sqn Castle Bromwich by 8.6.16 5519 CFS Upavon, fitted with 105-hp RAF 1b by 5.16; 42 Sqn Filton from 5.7.16; 52 Sqn Hounslow (90-hp RAF 1a) to 42 RS Hounslow 10.11 .16 - @27.2.17 5520 58 Sqn Cramlington from 20.7.16; wa 29.9.16 5521 19th Wing ARS Catterick from 4.8.16; 53 Sqn Catterick 10.8.16; sac 7.9.16 5522 15 RS Doncaster by 5.16 5523 15 RS Doncaster by 24.5.16 5524 Deld Mkrs to 15 RS Doncaster 20.5.16 5525 19 Wing ARS Catterick from 4.8.1' 6; 53 Sqn Catterick by 16.9.16 - 10.16 5526 36 (HD) Sqn Cramlington from 10.6.16; 53 Sqn Catterick 19.6.16; 19 Wing ARS Catterick to 53 Sqn Catterick 10.8.16; 43 Sqn Stirling/Raploch 16.8.16; 63 Sqn Stirling/Raploch 29.8.16; sac 7.9.16 Aeromilitaria - Winter 2010 5527 55 Sqn Lilbourne. Collided with another aircraft at 500ft; dived into ground 10.8.16 (Lt JS Rodgers & 2/U C de Frece both killed) 5528 (120hp Beardmore) CFS Upavon for tests by 5.5.16; shipped to Salonika; 47 Sqn Macedonia by 12.16; Salonika AP 30.7.17; 17 Sqn. did 4 loops then dived into sea, Mikra Bay, 8.8.17 (21Lt C Sheehan killed); sac 14.8.17 5529 36 (HD) Sqn Cramlington from 10.6.16; 53 Sqn Catterick 28.6.16; sac 25.8.16 5530 47 Sqn Beverley; 15 RS Doncaster by 7.16 5531 43 Sqn Stirling/Raploch. Engine cut; crashed in forced landing, 14.8.16 (Lt RWP Hall injured) ; wa 24.8.16 sac 5532 15 RS Doncaster by 8.16 - 9.16; Photograph shows alc crashed on nose 5533 CFS Upavon (fitted 120-hp Beardmore) to 28 Sqn Gosport 19.4.16 5534 No information 5535 15 RS Doncaster by 8.16 - 1 .17; 41 RS Doncaster by 1.17 5536 Sedgeford 1916; 7 Wing ARS Narborough to 35 Sqn Narborough 16.9.16; sac 16.12.16 5537 15 RS Doncaster from 28.4.16 - 7.16 5538 (120-hp Beardmore) 7 Wing ARS Narborough; 35 Sqn Narborough 2.9.16; 50 RS Narborough 21.12.16 5539 47 Sqn Beverley spring 1916 - @4.8.16; 36 RS Beverley by 8.16 - 9.16 5540 47 Sqn Beverley by 6.16; 35 Sqn Narborough 24.7.16; 59 Sqn Narborough. Engine cut; stalled in forced landing 4.12.16 (2/Lt AP Donnell killed & 1AM PB Gardner DoW 6.12.16); sac 12.12.16 5541 7 Wing ARS Narborough to 35 Sqn Narborough 8.9.16; 50 RS Narborough 21.12.16. Stalled clearing fence on overshoot and crashed, 28.2.17 (Lt FL Barclay injured) 5542 50 TS Narborough by 8.17 - 10.17 5543 No information 5544 47 Sqn Beverley, spring 1916; 43 Sqn Stirlingl Raploch from 24.7.16; 63 Sqn Stirling/Raploch 29.8.16; wa 1.9.16 sac 5545 47 Sqn Beverley by 8.16 5546 No information 5547 47 Sqn Beverley, wrecked 22.7.16 5548 Deld 36 RS Beverley 16.6.16; crashed on landing 11.9.16 (2/Lt CA Pike); 36 RSfTS Beverley/Montrose by 6.17 -7.17 5549 43 Sqn Stirling/Raploch from 27.5.16; sac 1.7.16 5550 43 Sqn Stirling/Raploch from 31 .5.16. Stalled and dived into ground 31 .7.16 (1 injured) ; sac 8.8.16 5551 CFS Upavon for trials by 10.5.16, fitted with nonstandard rudder; 8 RS Netheravon; 42 RS Hounslow by 3.17 5552 CFS Upavon for trials by 10.5.16, fitted with nonstandard rudder and 90hp RAF 1 a; 8 RS Netheravon by 7.16 5553 47 Sqn Beverley by 8.16; 57 TS Tadcaster by 9.16 [also used by 36 RS for night landings] 1. Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3 ordered under Cont No 941A1103 from Sir WG Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Gosforth, Newcastle, and numbered 5614 (90-hp RAF 1 a) 5614 Shipped to Middle East; Arr Salonika AP ex England 28.11 .16; 47 Sqn Macedonia, sac 27.3.17 42 Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3s ordered under Cont No 941A1103 from Sir WG Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Gosforth, Newcastle and numbered 6186 to 6227 (90hp RAF.1A) 6186 No information 6187 Shipped to Salonika 9.16; 47 Sqn Macedonia, sac 24.10.16 6188 20 RS Wye 6189 43 Sqn Stirling/Raploch . Stalled and crashed, 31 .7.16(1 injured) sac 8.8.16 161
Page 1: The AIR-BRITAIN Militarv Aviation H
Page 4 and 5: P 1127 Kestrel FGA.1 XS695, seen at
Page 6 and 7: A view of XS688 on the ground at Ou
Page 8 and 9: 47thBW G-119G 51-8252 is seen here
Page 10 and 11: 51-2608 C-119C 456thTGW (TAG) at Mi
Page 12 and 13: eturned to 465thTCW; to Burtonwood
Page 14 and 15: 51-8240 C-119C new production at Fa
Page 18 and 19: 6190 50 TS Narborough by 1.17 - 10.
Page 20 and 21: 89554 was built by Hew/ett and 8/on
Page 22 and 23: This shows the P. 74 prototype, com
Page 24 and 25: The Short S.41 seaplane returning t
Page 26 and 27: Vickers Wellington Bill R3224 AA-U
Page 28: The remains of Deputy Fuhrer Rudolf
Page 31 and 32: lOut of the Archives I From: Air Ma
Page 33 and 34: WE883 6 MU 19.6.51; 56 Sqn 5.7.51 c
Page 35 and 36: From an earlier part of the listing
Page 37 and 38: Crash Sites in the United Kingdom d
Page 39 and 40: 13.7.43 Mosquito VI HJ755 10ADU Fay
Page 41 and 42: A detail shot of the Vickers Wellin
Page 43 and 44: Brewster Bermuda FF568 photographed
Page 45 and 46: Grumman RF-9J Cougar 141722 Marines
Page 47 and 48: Amelia Earhart failed to make land

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