I
THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY,·· JULY 21, 1954,
Pure joy flooded Bader-he was flying again!
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR - - -
Douglas Bador, now walking normaliz on two metal legs after losing his own in an ale crash, spends his sick leave with his old squadron et Kenley. While there, Sir Philip Sassoon, Under-Secretary of State for Air, invites him for a week-end to his hours at Lympne. Bader insists that be la fit to fix again, and to his joy Sassoon arranges for him to take up es
Avro 504 as a test,
N the morning it felt thigh. He'd iterally be flying
wonderful just to be by the seal of his pants. putting on overalis,
Ross climbed helmet and goggles and shortly his again and to be walking up through the carphones: to a well-remembered Avro, sturt
Douglas?"
her
(i)
One last time he drove to the Panties and sold to
the girl when she arrived:
"I'm golay away, too." "Oh," she said, sounding here, politely interested stensibly crushed.
but
not
into the front voice came "Shall from
"No," he said; "just turn on your switches and Take your hands off. Leave alone. I'll do it."
"Going up north to Wittering
were Air Force officers and she had asked them a lot of ques- tiona about the interesting young man who had lost hi Icgs. Bader did not discover that
ho also till later, when found that her father had been a wing
commander, that her step-father WIS colonel and that the girl had been a a young of leisure until her woman beloved
pet dog had died and she had
gone to atoy with a and taken the grandmother Panties job to get her mind off her grief about the dog).
For a while he was too joy- to stort Bying again.' He tried fully occupied at Wittering to to be offhand about it, but she get up to London.
Getting into the cockpit WILS not the trouble he thought it might be. He put
everything clearly guessed its importance his foot into the slot at the
because she anlied with pleasure Ride of the rear cockpit and
"Oh, you'll like that, and said: The Huck starter backed up hin Ross. Pilot-Officer
propeller; the won't you? I am glod." and turned the
He This was the moment. fellow-guest AL Lympne, warmed - up engine caught
Bound casual gave him a heave up. Then, smoothly and throatly and the said, trying to clutching the leather aeroplan: was qwering with again!
wondering if you'd care to come out with me one of the cockpit padded rim
hand, it was with his left. simple to grab his right calf and swing it over into the
scat.
He eased himself down, delighting instantly in the old famtitur smell of an Avro cock- pit, the blend of castor sil, dope, that rulled and metal Batter
back more subtly
thus
any other
1 months and polently
SINSC.
Sitting in the familiar seat. and crash- eyeing instruments
pad and taking the stick in his hand, sent a flush of enchant- ment through him. He set ench anch foot
rudder-bar On the pushed each end in turn. It was easy; perveles in the fool but sensitive in the shin and right
Headaches (BAYER
Toothaches Colds
are quickly overcome by
CAFASPIN
A good car
DUCO
,
life.
ཛཱTt
Pure Joy Booded him, he knew already he was completely at horas. Al about 55 m.p.h. br let her
gently off the a lite, turned grass, climbert and circled the aerodrome and The then steered for Kenley, old touch was buck and as she cruiser over the familar fields A Fac wus sublimely happy circuit over Kenley and then he wan sianting in to land. This was the acid test.
It was simple
SHE awayed
13
slipped docilety he nursed her
with delicate
I whs
PART 6
REACH
and
FOR THE
SKY
und
By PAUL BRICKHILL
quick little move-
ments of stick and rudder
50
easily That he did not notice how simple and automatic hold her straight. of the legs
it was tu
Quite unconscious
he Battened,
held back, back,
back, and then
she
gently on three points.
landing run
touched
On the
conscious night In London he was of his legs again but held her down."
a week-end's
10
Thelma.
CHAMBUÂY
"It's quita masy," sold Boder. "It 1 trip, 1 hang on to the girl.”
Just for a moment she looked and then she smiled uncertain and nodded,
drunk.
Never
NATHANIEL GUBBINS
TOW many of
H
now?
my forced into
the roaring hell- lucky readers will be coptes, and flown to the nearest crfield, whero he will to pusťmod, alive 50 years from protesting, Into on aircraft which will take him twice round the world before supper.
you
coffee
DYCT the
And
Probably more than think. Apart from young At 2,000 miles an hour at a feet he will people on the threshold of height of 50,050 the hell to come thousands have fasionised biscuits
Atlantic, A of middle-aged boys and Assionised lunch over California, girls may expect to wake to a fisalonised birthday cake over the cries of "Happy birth- the Pacific, and probably be sick the second time round over day to you" sometime
Chine. the year 2004, thanks
As they modern sanitation, the ad-
in to
carry him
uncon-
vance of medical science, sclous from the aircraft in Eng- Lond his loving relations will and the high cost of living Kny:
the lower- which prevents Income groups from eating themselves to death.
"It's been too much for the poor old fellow."
Prettiest Deb
the WH
buzz-
Is the prottiest bulante of 18047
de-
"I've always said that once Some may not hear
the round the world In a day is greeting because they will enough for a man of his age."
because
"Why not send him round missed the banister and he over-be deaf, others
great-grandchildren, backwards, landing their
the relative tired of balanced
again?" heavily on the floor and nearly tired of paying high taxes paying taxes will ask. He got up and lurched round bringing her down with him to keep the old folk's retire-
Prople turned round and stared w help her up. He hadn't
wish them a happy birth Then, promised
meant to dance at all: the idea own their noses as if he were ment pensions going, won't
day had just alipped out but there
(and certainly not wrote leave, he
She helped him up and they "many happy returns"); reckless denly
thought: Would she care to go out with was no drowing back and sud-
where he but most the table
because of Fot 10 Iskr the Cafe de Paris on "Dammit, if I can walk all right, grinned to cover up his inward
noise of helicopters night?
hod A decorous 1 can certainly walk clutching mortification be Satturday
a girl."
Palien front of her before. Ing round the Old Folk's note came back accepting and call asking if he would care
"I didn't know you danced She leaned across and put her Home.
hand
You know, on his arm. for tea beforehand.
too," she said appreciatively as 12
I think you're really amazing." By 2004 every noisy fool they reached the floor.
It was the first time who she said.
motor-cycle she had ever even obliquely re-
of his legs, now will have his counter fared to the los
helicopter. and she did it 10 wanoly and part owning naturally that it really endeared Visitors will arrive in them, her to him.
hovering outside bedroom several more windows, and a centenarian, They
nor rich. In fact, his identity umes after that and he blissfully straining his enormous ears
is unknown, a circumstance that ignored the fact that his legs to catch the birthday wishes would disqualify Lottle for pre- were aching
patches
of his loving relations, will sentation at Court. Her mother on the slumps were rubbing
this never hawked her round society raw. About 2 a.m. he took her hear something like
with a marriage price on her home. bade her
curses decorous (with background
hend.
If her It is doubtful tired of paying mother even remembers her IT was quite easy good-night and drove off very from one IT
ls inاما
"Oh, it's quite easy," he said airly. If trip I hang on to the giri."
He took
On the Saturday morning he set out early in the MO, with broiled shirt and his little case. Avonmore Mansions, he found, was six storeys high
her in his arms. and the flat was on the sixth
A walted a moment for the beat floor. There was no lift, Carry- ing his case, be dot-and-carried at the music and then hopefully
stairs, up the
twelve fights, lurched off.
He counted ninety-six
steps. them, and arrived at the top breathless and heart pumping. As he rang the bell he wondered what i was going to be like.
the
the
靄
It came off
D
mue
danced
and that
ahe
on his
owng
taxes):
*
"Happy-buzz,
whi, buzz- birthdaybuzz-blast you buzz birthday-buzz whirr-to you- blast you damn you buzz buzz- you immortal old buzzard-buzz buzz."
After looking at the photo- graphs of some of the girls who are being launched liko ships down a greased runway into the social whirl instead of into the for Loitie soa, I would vote the Devil Cat
You might argue that Lottle is not a debutante in the strict Hor meaning of the word. father was neither distinguished
existence, The door
and opened
if not especial picased with himself in the MG He to the RAF Club where he had uniformed maid showed him
ly graceful. held
But Lottie is a debutante In little to tape the chated patches on her furnished into pleasantly
before
he went to
Bummer £ to give him his stumps where Fitting-room
Dway giri,
bed.
Like the girls On the Sunday he took
the sense that the for kicking space looking very fetching in a green
for her for a drive in the MG and
her social season, the right leg for-
who are on view to a curious dress, rose from the sofa. He'd
unobtrusively she managed
crowd as they wait in their cars the ward and for a while he was tror without never seen
to convey to
that to him
to be preacnted at Court, Lottie She really waitress overall on befote.
only walking in
ap.
genuinely admired the way he
is on view on the window-sill time to the music. introduced him to her mother, proximate
drove and bends stili
got around
But this will be only the first of the Sea Nest, praised and who looked young and agree- steering round the bene
day full of admired by visitors, who pause abic, and a tall, loan man her in a walk, but it was so uncom- legs. Driving back to Wittering treat of a merry
that night he was sure he nad | exciting adventures planned in their walk along the front Lieutenant-colonel plicated that it was almost an step-father,
for the dear old chap. Emboldened he found the girl he wanted. anti-climax. Addison. The girl leaned over the tea things and asked, with tried a mildly fancy turn and it
Next week-end he drove to
According to Mr Robert le a tiny smile, "Cream or plain?" camo off. He tried another one
So far as praise is concerned felt very and stumbled but instantly she London again and took her to Baron, chairman of the Ameri- if I can get and after that he
roodhouse can Military Liaison Committee, she, is probably more fortunate much at home.
was unobtrusively steadying him the Ace of Spades
the You near the Kingston Bypass. They atomic aircraft that will remain than debutantes under and they danced on.
and on the way in the air 300 hours without re- public scrutiny in the Mall. soon very good at supporting danced again
back he stopped
opce had the misfor- the car and fuelling will be commonplace in When men," he grinned.
(She had been 30 years time. kissed her.
They will be tune to write a report on this After a couple of numbers wondering when he was going to able to fly round and round the vulgar scene the remarks of the moving round the do that) To his delight, after world non-stop at speeds ap- people who poked their heads they were floor quite impressively until an appropriate time, she kissed proaching 2,000 miles an hour. suddenly he collided with her him back.
straight with! case and turned "That would be nice. I'd love
and taxied to the tarmac apron to," she said, sounding neither
uf the
121
frunt hangar, full of satisfaction.
пог
squadron's too eager
cool, but 500 observing the rules for young women impeccably.
(What the devil was name?).
cheery After
an extremely lunch m the mess, Bader few
Lo Russ 122 the Avro back Lympne and made another neat funding. That afternoon he was happier than he could remem-
bir.
[Bader's medical board gave hin a restricted grading which did not allow him to fly solo, His friendship with the waitress was ripening, at the Pantiles
know her but he still did not name when she told him the going back to live
her
He said blandly: "Would you give me your address and tele- phone number in London?"
The girl, knowing quile clearly what he was thinking, printed on the back of a tea ticket:
Thelma Edwards,
A question....
LATER,
debonair
feeling
in
tails for the first
time since the crash,
two
he look her to the Cafe de Paris in
dinner taxi. The was good, the girl was charm- Ing, and sitting at the little table fur
with his legs tucked safely away beneath, the music lilting away in a straight,
rhythm stimulated prowar mood of glowing zest. On the spur of the moment he leaned had known that for over, and said: "Would you like Three of her cousins to dance?"
12, Avonmore Mansions, Kensington, W. 14. "Oh, thanks awfully," he said, relieved. "My name's Douglas with Bader."
(She her parents in London. Then he
ras posted to the Central Fly- weeks. Ing School at Wittering for a report on his ability to fiu.l
deserves the best finish
Have your car
by
refinishad in
CDUCO
Imperial Chemical Industries (China) Ltd.
PHOTOGRAPHS
our
Staff Photographers
University Dance
L R. C. Swimming Gala
Cheung Chau Scouts Group
St. Stephen's Girls Alumni
Dance
Local Schools Speech Days and Prize Givings
University (Table Tennisa, ya
Local Presentations
Local Christenings Local Weddings
Mable at
SOUTH CHINA
and she came to a dead stop,
her face tight with pain.
WORLD
COPYRIGHT RESERVED
"What's the matter?" he "Reach for the Sky" by Paul asked, anxiously. "Are you all Brickhill, is published by Collins. right?"
"Yes," she said, torn by
"but you're standing apology; on my left foot."
He jumped off in horror, torn by apology himself.
They went off the floor arm-
and
he dot-and In-an carried up the two shallow steps his other hand to their table
ns
SATURDAY:
Tho wing commander cleared his throat, "I'm sorry," he said
to tickle her earn and cry, "Oh, what a beautiful pussy."
atare te
car windows and impersonally at the em- Waste fission products will be barrassed occupants as if they used to kill bacteria in food (and were judging cattle were so keep the old folk alive longer always complimentary, for more fun), though Mr le Baron admits that most of the
Sometimes
оп
Dunce,"
not
woman would flavours people like in food are squeak, "Ow, isn't she lahvly, due to bacteria.
but more often they would shout, "She weighs 12st. If she So, after the birthday greet- wolghs
OK, "Sha ing by belicopter, the centerror wouldn't stand a chance with Jen will be taken out for the my Elsie," or, "That snooty one day following breakfast of with the long neck looks like Asslonised porridge and CEE a camel."
Ho tasting of nothing at all. will be dragged out of his bed,
BILL WATERTON relives the days of 'the order-book battle' in the final
story
DANGER chapter of his ten-years-a-test pilot
FLYING into
A
THE GENERAL 'EXPLODED' AT ME...
world's
But
the Lottle,
debulante, Her hears nothing but praise. eyes are "like green. head- lamps," her "ahort-nosed proЛle is perfect," her "ahining fur la in wonderful condition.' In Every way she is "different" from other cats.
She is also different from other debutantes. According to my information a debutante is launched only three times if sho has been unlucky in the mar- riage market on the other two-
Lottle has launched finest aircraft pilots flew Metcors-well and or warned to keep away while I started something. There was a occasions. HEN World War II the
book my red jet into the air. Yank general aboard that plane, herself into public favour for ended Britain had showed them of to Air Ministers without accidents.
and he's just exploded to the six consecutive summers with- and Service chiefs from many In this Way too
Even a Swiss airliner, filed Press. He says you nearly took out bothering her head about we sold overwhelming
The jets, parts of the world.
Belgium, with passengers, was tempor- his wings off. You must have marriage markets. lead in jet aircraft and en- the Vampire, mode by de Havil Meteors to Holland,
Denmark, France, Egypt, and arily grounded so that the sky frightened him." gines. Britain also had a land, and Gloster's much-faster later to Syria, Israel and Brazil, would be kept clear for me. tremendous national debt.
We trained pilots and delivered
W
an
Meteor, stole the show.
It was my job as Gloster's scores of alreratt, all safely. The economic position chief test pilot to take the Meteor
One big order we did not get was desperate. Everything up in the air and show what which could possibly be sold I could do; and then come down was from Turkey; but it was
abroad was to be exported, and talk about it with the cus- not due to lack of quality in our to low altitude rolls, that turns exoc incident of the Flying four kittens,
tomer.
the tinio
And one thing we could
when And then, certainly sell abroad Was
came, go out and fly it in the jet aircraft.
customer's home sky and teach Our jet fighters were his pilots how to handle It
WALLE that we sold then the best in the world. So it
Meteors to the Argentine. That
of
Jater A few hours
I WAB Moreover, she must be the Solid cloud at low altitude summoned to the British only debutante who has fallen covered the sky, This ruled out Embassy. The Americans, who flat on her back in public to koops and vertical manoeuvres. had been unloading outmoded have her stomach stroked, and
the mother I decided to keep my repertoire aircraft on the Turks, were not (one hopes) the only debutante
overjoyed at my display, who has been alreraft or enterprise,
at high and low speeds, and
and close-to-the-ground sprints. Fortress laced thair wounds
[World Copyright] Wo had heard that Turkey,
with salt. I was only a few feet from
But it was all smoothed out. building up her postwar strength
Turkish against her the ground, and flying upside as a protection Russian neighbour, was in the down over the crowd, when I We did not get the
that there order, but we did get an excel- market for lighter planes and saw to my horror had the money to buy them.
was another plane-dead ahead lent lunch out of Sir David Kolly, the British Ambassador. As I reefed round frantically a collision I noticed
We held records to prove it. country had the newest Meteor The Spitares and Mosquitoes of me and not very far away.
The Americans, thanks to IVe in service with its air force with which we had previously
the secrets of Jet-fighter de- before the RAF. At one time supplied them were cipe for to avoid
that the intruder was a U.S. velopment with which we there were more Mateors flying replacement.
My red jet
Our rivals
in radio contact Do
In
Air Force B17 (Flying Fortress), for Peron than for us,
misunderstand It was not had provided them, were
The Argentine pilots, a dash
about this Americans. coming along fast-but in ing and
with me and it seemed deter- charming bunch of
mined to go on flying around those postivar years the competi- 1947-8 they could not yet young men, came over to learn
tion for orders was fierce, and the airdeid. to fly them, complete with us.
THE Americans were hungry
finished my acrobatics, it so happened that our aircraft They brought their
own for Turkish Orders, but just that lade mus with other were better than those of our What they wore, doing instead
Surplus platon- doctor, who ordered from home had not jet-plane ready for aircraft close. But the Ameri rivals, was unloading
cans are not the ones to a We had the jet-lighter lead delivery abroad.
That is not the position now. driven aircraft on to the maller regular planoload of steaks Powers, who had begun to and chocolate drinks to keep up.
stamina mainst the It was a big chanoo for us. Canadian working for a British then
up a smart sales trick, and as a
Now it belongs to the clamour for military planes; by their,
ન virtually, giving
the English climate Sa Gorters built the first two- arm I did not see why I should, Americans with their Babre and them away rigours
meater Meteor trainer strikingly her.
the newer they were able to sell the spares also given liberal painted in carmine and white,
Super
Sabre F100, They wore to keep them going.
the throttle wide which can raced the speed of So, with allowances
and most of them nd: I tested it and new it across opan, I went round and round sound in level light and in being bought M. G. cars or B. S. A. Europe) to Turkey=the first the airfield and passed the produced in numbers now. motor-cycles and turned up for, tim jet: had ever made such Flying Fortress three-times
· Instruction' each morning driving a journey, < in formation-oftan down the ZENE wrong aids of the road.
Steaks, for them.
THESE outmoded planes were
The Americans are born males- while is managed to do only a pen. They get mad when you we steal an order from landar them, The Turks, were delighted and half-ckredit Tran
resentment does not Turks saw what a Brillah but They did pose a problem-only Prmident Inonucune dout: one or two moke English--ther to watch, me givea
Piaomi 1-hopardi, will not be long Experience of monstration. We had had ') no flying
Fortress finally before we produce the fighter dewd I waskamet by an pie toe the foreign – mine kat
* beginning to get tired of fying. The best cure for a "tired" plane is a new, one,
י}
· đêm, JUD. Agister could do by www.ae Last Jorg
Aneka bomber..
ING POST. LTD. The new one and they were moden seroplanok, nd we had Aul plants in the vicinity of
for sale.
no two-seater
But my training -worked, andi
and
POCKET CARTOON
| bỳ OSBERT LANCASTER
401 Coured I realise that
life in the Russian Foreign