How did Albert Ball do it?

Willi Von Klugerman · 7 April 2009, 06:55 PM

Its incredible how Ball had so many victories while wearing no goggles!In warm days I sick my head out of the school bus window as usual and the rushing wind is very bothersome to my eyes.The rushing wind kept forcing my eyes to squint,making vision difficult.To make things worse,tears start producing causing your vision to be quite "watery".So Im wondering how Albert had the enemy in his sights with those problems.It would make aiming for your target rather hard and it would be dangerous if an enemy is after you and you couldn't get a good glimpse at him with watery eyes.

Mr_Flibble · 7 April 2009, 11:57 PM

I'm sure the windshield on his SE5 did a lot to keep the wind out of his eyes when looking through the Aldis sight.

Though as his windshield was lowered to reduce drag, I'm sure it would've been a pain when looking around for other aircraft.

Tim West · 8 April 2009, 07:40 AM

..... he prolly used the force

Ginger. · 8 April 2009, 09:03 AM

Hope he wasn't ducking behind the windscreen from his kite that's in Nottingham Castle Museum... it's got two bullet holes in it!

steven brown · 8 April 2009, 12:07 PM

Did he say why he didn't wear goggles? Maybe he felt that they restricted his vision.

Willi Von Klugerman · 8 April 2009, 06:55 PM

Actually Steven,he did said that.He believed that goggles impaired his vision.He also didn't wear a helmet because he liked to feel the wind through his hair.

AROTH · 8 April 2009, 08:30 PM

I think sticking your head out of a school bus window is a little bit different.

How come they let you do that anyways? We were't allowed to even open the windows in the 60's.......

steven brown · 9 April 2009, 12:27 PM

Wasn't there a British pilot who had leopard skin helmet and gloves? I swear I read that somewhere.

Barrett · 9 April 2009, 06:30 PM

Depending on the windscreen, I can semi-sorta-kinda believe that a pilot might dispense with goggles, though he'd wish he had 'em with hot engine oil in his face. But flying w/out helmet? Don't make me larf, Albert old thing! I had to fly about 30 minutes in an open cockpit, having left me 'elmet in me ditty bag, and I couldn't comb me 'air fer a week. Judging by his photographs, Mr. Ball had no such problems. Or he used half a tube of Brylcreem at a time.....

jastaflieger · 9 April 2009, 07:21 PM

i emailed alex revell this same question, and he was not aware that

Albert Ball did or did not fly without helmet and / or goggles:: not to say he did, or did not, just that perhaps the world's leading authority on 56 sqdn and i would surmise someone who has read alot about albert ball could not verify .
having said this, i would refer inquiring minds to MR Revells book

High in the Empty Blue and look at page 21 and page 17, the wealth of photos of 56sqdn taking off to France: esp page 21 , if that is Ball in the nearest Se5, my magnifying glasses show him without either helmet or goggles!
jim