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I believe the source was an article by Nick Forder in Cross and Cockade International - I'll see if I can track down which issue, late 2002 or early 2003, I think.
The notes I have to hand are ... "the RFC began trials with wireless telgraphy and aircraft at Cramlington in 1916. On 21 November 1916, 2nd Lt Douglas received a W/T message 24 miles from the transmitter. Developments were interrupted due to bureaucrarcy and difficulties with the Admiralty, which was supplying the equipment. The Admiralty feared that W/T would interfere with the Marconi Direction Finding Stations.
Early in 1917 the trials unit moved to Biggin Hill and was tasked to develop air-to-ground and air-to-air direct speech communication (radio telegraphy) as a priority. Tests were carried out elsewhere and in September 1917 the first successful air-to-air R/T communication was carried out by Bristol Fighters of 11 Squadron. As a result of this two two-seater squadrons (Biffs ?) were equipped with the system. A ground-to-air long range transmitter was set up at Aplefield (I think this should be Aperfield) Court, a mile south east of Biggin.
Using this system Bristol Fighters of 141 Squadron took part in successful trials in April 1918. In May 1918, 143 Squadron SE5as and 141 Squadron Biffs were fitted with the system and used operationally against German daylight raids on Britain. The development and trials unit later moved from Biggin to Penhurst."
Graeme
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