Search for truth

Sreiko · 11 August 2006, 12:04 PM

I have read long time ago in some of the local yugoslav magazine two interesting story from the WW1. One is about the pilot who has during the combat against German airship, land and run over its top surface. Other story is about the pilot who has flew through open airship hangar. As I can remember both pilots are british.

From my point of view this is technicaly posible to do but I would like to know is this really happen and more about this actions. I hope that my question is not frivolous

John Masters · 11 August 2006, 12:16 PM

I think

Willy Coppens (Belgian) landed on top of a barrage balloon when his engine failed, but only for a short moment, and then he slid over the side at which point his motor came back to life...

Don't quote me...

John

Sreiko · 11 August 2006, 01:16 PM

This is something- so there is some truth. Hope other members have more info. By the way- did Kopens flew in HD-1 plane?

John Masters · 11 August 2006, 07:11 PM

Yes, as the Osprey "Balloon Busting Aces..." book states in the forepages...
he attacked the ballon on May 15th, 1918, but the morning dew interfered with his attack. He succeeded in only cutting the cables. "As he climbed over it, the balloon suddenly shot upward, colliding with his aeroplane. Coppens immediately turned off his engine, lest his propeller foul in the fabric".

In the end, he slid over the side of the balloon and switched on the engine as he fell, while the balloon descended and then exploded. It was his 4th victory.

So true. Amazing feat, really.

From the Factory on the hill,
John

Vin · 11 August 2006, 11:45 PM

That's more accurately described as a collision between an aircraft and a balloon rather than an aricraft landing on a balloon which implies a positive act by the pilot.

Sreiko · 12 August 2006, 12:04 AM

Yes this is for sure colode more then landing on. Any details where this happen, details of flight or height... or I ask too much.

And what about other story with fly throught open hangar? This was large buildings and this was possible for daring pilt

EdStevens · 12 August 2006, 05:41 AM

From "Flying in Flanders" by

Willy Coppens:

On the 14th [of April, 1918] the weather cleared and I did a patrol. On the 15th, I attacked the Houthlust balloon at a height of 3,900 feet. It was at 8:07 A.M. Although I fired three times and at point-blank range, it did not catch fire. To make more certain, I slowed down, flying horizontally, and approached -- firing at the last half-second. Then, as though relieved of a weight, it suddenly shot up and I collided with it. My wheels struck the gas-bag, which gave under the shock, although it capsized my machine and my tail rose up into the air. My right wing also touched the envelope and for a second I pivoted on my nose, while the balloon sagged and sank under the weight. I had the presence of mind to switch the engine off with the control-lever switch and my airscrew, which had been turning over slowly, stopped dead. At this moment, I said to myself (in the following actual words): "That's the end! It is bound to happen to those who risk too much."

The next instant my machine began to slide across the spongy thing that gave way beneath me as we advanced, until it plunged over the "side", nose-first, gathering speed as it fell. The propeller started spinning, like the wings of a windmill in a puff of wind; I took my thumb off the button-switch on the control-lever. opened the throttle, and -- my machine scarcely any the worse for the experience -- took to its heels for our lines, while the balloon, torn and leaking, fell to the ground, where it luckily burst into flames, to such good purpose that the conflagration was seen from our lines and the victory could be credited to me.

The tale of my adventure left many people unconvinced. It was necessary for me to point to the traces of white "down" from the side of the gas-bag on my lower wing and the front right-hand interplance strut, as well as the marks on the wood of my propeller of the outline of a cord, struck by one blade, before I could convince the unbelievers.

Vin · 12 August 2006, 09:27 PM

The second of Sreik's incidents, flying through the hanger, is a new one although I reckon I've seen it in a film, 1937 Dawn Patrol ?

Sreiko · 13 August 2006, 12:06 AM

Thank you John Master and EdStevens for the details from the book. As I have no this book and don't beleive that I will ever have it, info are really welcome. Thank you for your time and sharing.

Vin- maybe you are right, how can I know that jourbalist did not take a story from old movie and present it as a real thing. So no actual flew throught hangar?