5 replies to this topic

[RobL]

I'm trying to investigate an RNAS Airship crash at Odiham Chalk Pits, involving, possibly commanded by, a Sub Lt Woodcock - that's all the information I have, can anyone help please?

[seaJane]

There was one in 1913 but can find no mention of your man - http://www.usbornefa...neville1883.htm

If not that one it might be worth contacting either the Fleet Air Arm Museum http://www.fleetairarm.com/ or Hampshire Archives and Local Studies http://www3.hants.gov.uk/archives

sJ

[NigelS]

seaJane, on 02 May 2012 - 11:41 PM, said:

There was one in 1913 but can find no mention of your man - http://www.usbornefa...neville1883.htm

He is mentioned in The Times of 21st August 1913 in a story which appears to relate to the same incident (engine failure though not an accident), but the airship was, apparently, not the Astra Torres given in the Usborne article but Naval Airship No.2 of Willows design.

Towing by Airship

Novel test for the Eta

The new Army dirigible Eta which was launched at Farnborough for a short trial on Monday, and which has not yet been taken over by the Royal Flying Corps, was put through a test yesterday which, it is believed has not yet been applied to any other airship, British or foreign. It consisted in towing the small naval airship No.2 constructed by Mr Willows, from its temporary camp at Odiham to the Royal Aircraft  Factory at Farnborough. The Eta which is built on the same lines as the Gamma, was navigated by Captain Waterlow RE, and Lieutenant Woodcock, RN, with a staff of mechanics from the Royal Aircrafdt Factory, while Lieutenant Woodcock, RN, with the assistance of one mechanic, piloted the Willows. The latter airship was under repair, and as it was unlikely that she would be effective for some ten days the opportunity was taken to make the towing test. The willows was towed on a considerably lower level than the line of the Eta's flight, at the end of 600ft. of cable, the difference in altitude minimizing the risk of collision. Although  the towed aircraft required very careful handling, Lieutenant Woodcock had no real  difficulty in steering her during the voyage. The Eta with a displacement of about 3 1/2 tons, is driven by two Canton-Unne engines, one to each of the swivelling propellors, which are mounted on brackets projecting from the sides of the car.

There is also coverage of the tow in Flight Click & Click

Woodcock had been involved in a minor accident, again reported in Flight Click, earlier in the year but this was at Ash, not Odiham.

NigelS

[Peter Lewry]

I can't find any record of the incident but thought this would be of interest... http://www.flickr.co...N06/6421155703/

[Peter Lewry]

Nigel, I think you are right  not a crash, but certainly an incident - as it turns out, a very unique one.

[Tina Bilbe]

Harold Larpent WOODCOCK born 1^st November 1882 Educated at Dulwich College

In Nov 1919 Commander H L Woodcock RN & Lieutenant Colonel F S Pilling RAF had the task of decommissioning Kingsnorth Airship Station

Commander Woodcock’s career can be followed through a series of articles in Flight magazine:

He was stationed in Farnborough in 1913

Flight – February 1 1913 – page 120

No. I, the Airship Squadron, are justly proud of the fine performances of "Gamma” on January 22nd, and theNaval members of the Corps are to be congratulated on their skilful handling of the airship. A party who are at present undergoing courses of instruction in the handling of aircraft at the Balloon Sheds, South Farnborough, made a splendid cruise during the middle of the day, as far as London and back. After some manoeuvring over the district during the morning, the "Gamma" was headed for London, the voyage occupying about four hours there and back. Commander Masterman, R.N., Chief of the Naval Wing, was in command; Lieut. Husband acted in thecapacity of pilot, while Lieut. Woodcock had charge of the engines. Ascending in a very hazy atmosphere from Farnborough Common she disappeared from sight in a north-easterly direction. Somewhere about 3.15 p.m. she was again sighted returning from the north, and after being cleverly handled above Farnborough Common was safely housed in the big dirigible shed, being taken in under cover of the huge sail-cloth wind screen which protects the entrance of the shed from the wind.

Although the journey to London was made at no great altitude it was most interesting and successful, and owing to the hazy atmosphere and low-lying clouds the courses were set and steered by compass.

When piloting "Beta" in speed trials the first Thursday in March 1913 he "met with a slight accident at Ash" Perhaps the tow from Odiham and the accident at Ash have become linked in someone's memory.