The Naval Review The copyright of this article rests with the author, or the author's estate.

Non-members of the Naval Review will not be aware that, currently, a series of satirical articles have appeared over the pseudonym GoCo. They are written with a great deal of humour, but there is always a sharp edge, and a valid point to be made. The article which follows might have been written by GoCo's grandfather, some 70 years ago – it appeared in the November 1932 issue of The Naval Review. It was anonymous, as were virtually all articles at that time, but it is known that it was written by a naval aviator, who went on to achieve Flag rank. It appeared with two other articles which treated naval aviation rather less ironically.

To set the scene, it is worth reminding readers that from the formation of the RAF in 1918, until 1937, naval aviation (the Fleet Air Arm) was effectively controlled by the RAF. There were some naval pilots and observers, but the majority, and virtually all the ground crew, were RAF personnel. The aircraft were designed and produced to RAF specifications.

DUAL CONTROL.

Two Winged Strangers are flying slowly round Weymouth Bay. It is evident that one of them, owing to his recent residence on earth, is unfamiliar with this form of progress . The other stranger is more expert, and gives his companion advice on recovering from the spins into which he is thrown by the bumpiness of the air in the neighbourhood of two large flat-topped vessels, anchored further from the shore than the rest of the fleet. The name of the former stranger is "Q," and that of the latter "A."

Q. That is an odd looking vessel; what is its purpose?

A. It is an aircraft carrier, which carries aircraft with the fleet.

Q. Then it is manned by airmen?

A. It is manned by seamen; but there are airmen to fly the aeroplanes and look after them .

Q. Who flies in these aeroplanes?

A. Some are naval officers, some are Air Force officers.

Q. Then are the naval officers airmen or seamen?

A. On that point there is some doubt; some declare that they are both, while others assert that they are neither.

Q. What is the nature of the work which these aeroplanes perform?

A. They are employed for naval operations.

Q. Who is responsible for these operations when the aeroplanes are in the air?

A. It is all amicably arranged. Some direct the operations, while others hold the baby.

Q. Then it conforms with the usual customs of the Service?

A. No. In the Service, operations are conducted by those with the greatest experience of them.

Q. Then is not the captain's senior adviser in a carrier the one most experienced in naval air requirements?

A. Not as a rule.

Q. Of what then does his experience consist?

A. It is obtained in Inland area, the North-west Frontier, and in armoured cars in IraQ.

Q. Then he approaches the subject with an open mind?

A. Entirely.

Q. What are those aeroplanes drawn up on the flying deck?

A. They are the newest fighter aircraft.

Q. Are they good aeroplanes?

A. They are superb machines for the air defence of Great Britain, and they can climb to twenty thousand feet in ten minutes.

Q. Are naval air operations then conducted at twenty thousand feet?

A. No.

Q. Then these aeroplanes are not designed primarily for naval air work?

A. They are superb machines for the air defence of Great Britain.

Q. What are those aeroplanes on the cruisers?

A. They are seaplanes, which can be fired oft from a catapult.

Q. And when their fuel is expended?

A. They return to harbour.

Q. But if they are seaplanes, can they not be landed alongside their ships, and hoisted in?

A. Sometimes the sea is rough.

Q. But are not seaplanes tested for seaworthiness after they are made?

A. Yes. They are tested by the Royal Air Force at Fe1ixstowe.

Q. Is it not sometimes rough at Felixstowe!

A. Sometimes it is very rough. Often the waves are over a foot high

Q. And if the seaplane lands on the sea when it is too rough?[

A. It sinks because it is made of metal

Q. Then why are not these aeroplanes made of wood, and capable of landing when the sea is rough?

A. Because then they would no longer be superb machines for the air defence of Great Britain.

Q. What were those aeroplanes which we saw yesterday, flying round and round the carrier while she was at sea?

A. They were spotter-reconnaisance aeroplanes, waiting to land on.

Q. Then they had been away practising spotting and reconnaissance?

A. No. They had been practising for an aerial display.

Q. But what other functions have they?

A. They are used for bombing.

Q. But did you not mention yesterday some other aeroplanes called torpedo-bombers?

A. Yes, but they do not drop bombs.

Q. Why do not the reconnaissance aeroplanes practise reconnais­sance?

A. Because then they would get a long way from the carrier.

Q. But surely they are equipped with wireless, by means of which they can remain in communication?

A. Yes, but their wireless sets were designed in 1916.

Q. Who provides wireless sets for naval aircraft?

A. The Royal Air Force.

Q. It is all very puzz1ing. I think: we had better return, or we shall be late for harping practice.

A.I agree. Gabriel has detailed me for slow landings on a thunder cloud this afternoon, and I must get some more camber on my wing tips before then.

The Winged Strangers then pull down their goggles and climb slowly up towards the sun.

Fougueux