RAF pilot takes a bath in Kowloon Bay

IDJ
Sat, 08/27/2022 - 16:52
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RAF pilot takes a bath in Kowloon Bay
Date picture taken
6 Dec 1925
Tags
Fairey Flycatcher
HMS Hermes

Comments

No further info.

The posted date is I believe the magazine's publication date.

If the aircraft's serial number can be determined, the casualty listing in Air Britain's Fleet Air Arm publications should give a crash date and circumstances.

My copies of those publications have been disposed of.

Thanks. Noted the photo caption. The year 1925 just seemed a bit early for the RAF Base at Kai Tak. 

The magazine cover came from the Smithsonian Institute on-line. It’s conceivable I noted the published date incorrectly. Failing eyesight looking at computer screens is the excuse.

However, RAF/Fleet Air Arm aircraft did use Kai Tak field during Harry Abbott's tenure of the site prior to ‘RAF Base Kai Tak’ as it was formerly known being established on 10-03-1927. Note ‘Kai Tak’ being in use at this early date. The widely used ‘Kai Tack’ would also be in common use for some time ahead.

Could not find the on-line issue in the Smithsonian Library. However, I looked at other issues and publication dates of the "The Aeroplane" that are on the internet. I think Vol. XXXV was issued between July and December 1928 which indicates the photo was taken within this time period or before July 1928.

That said, I am struggling to confirm the background scene as Kowloon Bay, Kai Tak. The rocky boulders on the right seem to be out of place. 

The accident occurred about noon on 13th May 1929 in Mirs Bay

“‘HERMES’ AEROPLANE MISHAP

FATAL MANOEUVRE

MACHINE OVERTURNS & FALLS INTO SEA

AIRMAN DROWNED

The report of an accident to a Fairey aeroplane belonging to H.M.S. “Hermes” was received here yesterday evening. It appears that the “Hermes” had taken out the planes to Mirs Bay early yesterday morning, and there they were let out to spread their wings.

Among the various exercises carried out was one in which the ‘planes were required to land on the aircraft carrier’s deck. The machine which met with disaster was at that time piloted by James Edmunds Fenton, and with him were Aircraftsmen F.T. Harding and James Arthur George Wallace.

In making the landing the Fairey machine overshot the mark and fell into the water. She was picked up with some difficulty when it was found that Wallace was missing. The two other occupants were uninjured.

Up to this morning, the body of the missing aircraftsman had not been found, although a rigorous search had been instituted.”

Source: The China Mail, page 1, 14th May 1929

 

A more detailed report of the incident is in the Hong Kong Telegraph

Source: The Hong Kong Telegraph, page 1, 14th May 1929

There is one fatal accident involving Fairey aircraft from HMS Hermes which occurred off Kai Tak but occurred on 15th May 1930 as logged here 

Both examples I gave involved fatalities whereas the Aeroplane magazine cover article implied the ‘pilot escaped with a ducking’….so the jury is out atm.

Thanks for the extra information.

HMS Hermes arrived in Hong Kong on 10 August 1925

For now, I had only looked up accidents between 1925 and 1929 as I surmise the magazine cover is from that period.  But so far I cannot place the accident scene.

(Update: Viewed Vol. XXXV No. 26 with an end of December date for 1928. The above issue showing Vol. XXXV No. 19 would have a publication date corresponding to the first week of November 1928. Thus, the photo of the accident would have been taken after the arrival of the Hermes in Hong Kong and before November 1928, provided that the image shown is indeed a Hong Kong scene.)

 

 

An image with a very similar background  said to be Kowloon Bay appears in the 'Wings over Hong Kong' book. Page 121.

Yet another or possibly the same Flycatcher crash, dated 08-01-1926.

From recollections of 25 + years ago when the book was being compiled the photographic print this image was derived from has original hand-written notes on it stating the occasion and incident.

I no longer have access to this print.

Many thanks. A rather deceptive angle at looking at the Kowloon Hills but the recently posted photo clinches the scene. Will attempt to locate a write-up in the press. 

Looks like it could be the Sung stone on the top of a mound behind a Junk/sampan's mast.

The Sunken Hermes Plane

Salvage operations are being carried out in connection with the recovery of the plane from H.M.S. Hermes which sank in the harbour of (sic) Kowloon Reclamation on 7 January 1926.

The aviators were able to get clear of the machine when it struck the water. They were picked up by boats despatched to the scene. 

The machine has not yet been brought to the surface but it is only a matter of time before it will eventually be recovered. 

Source: China Mail 8 January 1926

(Not much information is supplied in the China Mail article to connect it to the main photo in the "The Aeroplane". However, the date of the article appears to support the accident date on the recently posted photo by IDJ. No further information of the accident was found in the newspapers.)