Harvey-Kelly

12 July 2001, 04:10 AM

In reading about the early days of the RFC in France, you bump into the name Harvey-Kelly. I recently found two bits of information about this airman that I found interesting. Most of us recognize Harvey-Kelly as the first RFC pilot to land in France. However, to garner that historical footnote, he disobeyed orders. Two Squadron was supposed to follow the Somme to Amiens. Everyone except H-K did. He flew overland and landed first. He was called on the carpet by the his CO--Maj. Burke, but he wrote history. This Irishman also carried a bit of cotton (string?) and a potato with him on missions. Why? To ingratiate himself with his captors if he was ever shot down. Apparently, he thought they were two items desperately needed by the Germans. A man with a sense of history and a sense of humor. Any other anecdotes about pilots floating around out there?
DD

12 July 2001, 05:33 AM

Lieutenant Petr Nesterov of the Imperial Russian AF was the first man to perform the loop as a controlled maneuver.

I was then given several days house arrest for "endangering government property."

I've also always liked Strange's hanging upside-down from his Lewis gun drum when his Martinsyde flipped over while he was trying to reload.

12 July 2001, 07:22 AM

The Potato and string could have been a good luck charm. (Good Luck was in short supply!)

Vigilant · 12 July 2001, 11:18 AM

There is a nice story in Ralph Barker's "The RFC in France" (vol. 2) about a flight commander and observer in 48 Squadron (Bristol Fighter).

Stationed in the Dunkirk sector in autumn 1917, flight commander and pilot Capt. Samuel 'Squibs' Sibley and observer 2Lt. P.N.M. 'Puggy' Shone got bored one day so they decided to fly along the sea-front at Ostende (in occupied territory) at 50 feet and lob oranges at the off-duty Germans relaxing with their lady friends. Naturally the Germans dived for cover expecting a grenade attack as the oranges splatted onto the promenade around them. Sibley and Shone said they nearly crashed into the sea because they were laughing so much.

Contribution to the war effort: Nil

Contribution to 48 Squadron morale: Incalculable

Vigilant