LOCAL AND GENERAL
Flying over Blenheim on a recent afternoon in a Moth aeroplane, Mr A. E. Clouston, of Westport, one of the Marlborough trainees, established an altitude record which will serve as a mark for other pilots to aim at. He achieved a height of 16,000 feet (over three miles) in a steady climb which occupied an hour and a quarter. -Fielding Star, 31/10/1929.
Westport Notes
Mr A. E. Clouston, formerly of Westport, where he was active as a motor car salesmen, has made rapid progress in navigation of the air as a house member of Marlborough Aero Club, and now is proceeding to the Old Country on a short service commission in the Royal Air Force. -Grey River Argus, 10/4/1930.
THRILLING EXPERIENCE IN THE AIR
NARROW ESCAPE OF TWO OFFICERS CRASH AT 4000 FEET.
(From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, October 7.
Flying Officer A. E. Clouston, R.A.F. (Westport), had a thrilling experience in the air on September 17. His machine, a Hawker Fury, the fastest interceptor in the world, was one of nine flying in a squadron formation, when the signal was given to change formation.
A machine of another flight came up immediately under that of the New Zealander and crashed. It was piloted by Plying Officer P. P. R. Dunworth. The two machines stuck together for some time, and then parted. The right wing of Flying Officer Dunworth’s machine broke off and became entangled with the Hawker Fury. Its pilot jumped in his parachute and landed safely, suspended from some telephone wires. His machine crashed a few yards away and became a tangled mass.
Flying Officer Clouston's machine became uncontrollable with the wing of the other machine entangled about it, and went into a spin. The crash had occurred at 4000ft, and at 2000ft the New Zealander had decided to jump out, but changed his plan and made a last attempt to get the machine under control. He found that by flying upside down he had some control, and that by stalling in the inverted position and using sudden vigour the obstruction moved from his wing top to about the centre of his machine, and so gave him a certain amount of control. Changing to the right way up, he found that with full engine he could just maintain height. As his propeller was almost broken to pieces, the half that remained caused the Hawker Fury to vibrate terrifically.
Under these conditions, and with his machine flying very left wing low, he managed to limp back to the aerodrome at Hawkinge, Kent, but had to fly around several times until he received a signal from the ground signifying that his wheels were intact. After this it was possible to make a perfect landing with the aid of his engine. His machine was severely strained, the fabric was torn in many places, only about half the propeller remained, and. nearly all the spokes of the wheel were broken.
Flying Officer Dunworth, when found, was suffering from shock and a slight cut; he was motored back to Hawkinge aerodrome.
Records show that Mr Clouston arrived in October, 1930, and was granted a short service commission. He trained at No. 3 F.T.S., Grantham, Lines., where he became acquainted with a variety of aeroplane types. Since being posted to No. 25 (P) Squadron at Hawkinge he had been chosen several times to give aerobatic displays for local flying clubs and army manoeuvres. -Otago Daily Times, 22/11/1932.
AMBITIOUS FLIGHT
AIRMAN'S HOLIDAY
ENGLAND TO NEW ZEALAND IN TEN DAYS
(By Telegraph — Press Assn. — Copyright.)
(Received October 5, 1 p.m.) LONDON, October 4. Flying-Officer A. E. Clouston, of the Royal Air Force, a New Zealander, going to his home on leave, will fly to New Zealand in a Desoutter monoplane, leaving on October 14. He hopes to reach Australia in a week, and New Zealand in ten days. -Evening Post, 5/10/1935.
LONG FLIGHT POSTPONED.
ENGLAND-NEW ZEALAND.
(By Telegraph. — Press Association.) BLENHEIM, Monday. Advice has been received in Blenheim that Flying-Officer A. E. Clouston's projected flight from England to New Zealand has been postponed indefinitely owing to Mr. Clouston having been appointed a civilian pilot. -Auckland star, 15/10/1935.
London Personals
Flying Officer A. E. Clouston (Westport), who was transferred to the Royal Air Force Reserve on October 1, has been appointed one of two Test pilots at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. These are the first test pilots to join the establishment at Farnborough as civilians, for hitherto only officers on the active list have been so employed. Flying Officer Clouston joined the R.A.F. in 1930, and served with No. 25 (Fighter) and No. 24 (Communications) Squadron. -Evening Post, 21/11/1935.
IN KING'S CUP RACE.
PILOT FROM NEW ZEALAND.
PROMISING PERFORMANCE
A promising start as a racing pilot has been made by Flight Lieutenant A. E. Clouston, a former pilot of the Marlborough Aero Club, who was an entrant in the King's Cup Race, last month.
After learning to fly as one of the early pilots of the Marlborough Aero Club, he went to England and joined the Royal Air Force with a short service commission, which was recently completed, the last part of his service being with No. 24 (Communications) Squadron, Northolt (states the "Dominion"). On the expiry of his appointment with the Air Force, he secured one of the most responsible in British civil aviation — that of a civil test pilot at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, and this he still holds.
He made his debut as a racing pilot in the Cinque Ports Wakefield Cup Race last year, when in company with Flight-Lieutenant W. D. Guyler, he finished second. This was followed by good time in an Aeronca in the Hanworth-Isle of Man race this year, and then another second place in the race around the Isle of Man in June.
Flight-Lieutenant Clouston flew a Miles Falcon in the King's Cup Air Race. In the final, he finished in twelfth place, after having led the field in the third and fourth laps. From then on, however, his position steadily shrank back as the entrants with faster machines overcame the handicap allowances, and it is evident that his handicap was responsible for the low placing. He finished in front of Mr. C. W. A. Scott, the Melbourne Centenary Air Race winner, also flying a Falcon, last year's winner.
Mr G. D M. Goodwin, of Wellington, who flew in the King's Cup race while visiting England a few years ago, is the only other New Zealander known to have participated in the classic event. -Auckland Star, 24/8/1936.
BIG AIR RACE.
LONDON TO JOHANNESBURG.
NEW ZEALANDER TO COMPETE.
(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 8. A competitor in the London-Johannesburg air race, to be flown as part of the Exhibition celebrations of Johannesburg, will be Flight-Lieutenant A. E. Clouston, formerly a member of the Marlborough Aero Club, and now chief test pilot at the Royal aircraft establishment at Farnborough, England. He will pilot the Miles Speed Hawke low-wing monoplane which Flight Lieutenant T. Rose flew into second place at an average speed of 184 miles an hour in the King’s Cup race in July. -Ashburton Guardian, 9/9/1936.
ENTRANTS IN SOUTH AFRICAN AIR RACE. (abridged)
Nine or ten.
Famous Pilots and Speedy Aeroplanes.
N.Z. COMPETITOR.
United Press Association. — Copyright. (Received 12 noon.) LONDON, September 24.
Nine machines checked in at Portsmouth for preliminary testing for the London-Johannesburg Centenary air race on Tuesday. Competitors are: —
Max Findlay and Ken Waller, in an Airspeed Envoy.
Victor Smith, in a Miles Sparrowhawk.
Flying-Officer A. Clouston, formerly of Westport, New Zealand, in a Miles Hawk 6.
K. Alington and Lieutenant P. Booth, in a B.A. Eagle.
D. Llewellyn, in a Percival Vega Gull.
Tommy Rose and Jack Bagshaw, in a B.A.4 Double Eagle.
C. W. A. Scott and Giles Guthrie, in a Percival Vega Gull.
Major A. Miller, in a Percival Mew Gull.
Captain S. Halse, in a Percival Mew Gull.
A special application is likely on behalf of a Percival Vega Gull entered by Lieutenants Chand and Randolph, of which arrival is delayed. It is expected that 50,000 will watch the start at dawn on Tuesday from Portsmouth.
The actual list of entrants for the Johannesburg Centenary race is comparatively small, but this is probably the result of the lessons learned in the Melbourne Centenary race of October, 1934, when over 50 entered, some with ridiculous chances and inadequate arrangements. The present contest sees a roster of famous pilots and speedy machines such as has never before been assembled for an air race, limited even though it is to British flyers. Flying Officer A. E. Clouston has made his name in the R.A.F. by achievements in altitude flying. He was formerly a member of the Marlborough Aero Club, New Zealand, and is credited with having made the record altitude flight for the Dominion, 16,000 ft. A few weeks ago in England he reached a height of 25,000 ft with an oxygen mask. -Auckland Star, 25/9/1936.
JUBILEE RACE to Johannesburg (abridged)
GOOD conditions
Three Competitors Retire from Contest
CLOUSTON GOING WELL
By Telegraph — Press Assn. — Copyright. LONDON. September 19.
The air race from London to Johannesburg has started. Flight-Lieut Findlay and Mr Waller took off at 6.30 a.m., being followed at minute intervals by the others. Each pilot carries letters from the Lord Mayors of London and Portsmouth to the Mayor of Johannesburg. The weather is clear and there is a big harvest moon and practically no wind. A large crowd gathered overnight and spent the time dancing, singing and listening to music. Over 500 cars were parked at the aerodrome
Dawn was just breaking when Findlay and Waller left. This, the most powerful machine, is numbered 13 and carries a wireless operator as passenger.
Fellow officers played a joke on A. E. Clouston, affixing a large L, such as used to distinguish learner-drivers on the roads, beneath the fuselage. It was not seen until he was aloft. Scott should have been last to leave, but unlucky Victor Smith lived up to his reputation; his engine was slow to start, so Scott was flagged away first. However, Smith soon overtook him.
PROGRESS OF RACE. Following are progress reports of the race:— Captain S. S. Haise arrived at Belgrade at 12.8 p.m. Mr Victor Smith arrived at 12.42 p.m., Mr A. E. Clouston at 12.42 p.m., Mr Ken Waller at 12.50 p.m., Mr K. Alington at 2.4 p.m., Mr C. W. A. Scott at 2.8 p.m., add Flying-Officer D. Llewellyn at 2.23 p.m. Flight-Lieut. Bose circled the field and signalled that he was not landing, but later returned for a weather report. He departed at 2.37 p.m.
Major A. W. Miller arrived at 4.33 p.m. He said he was retiring from the race, having landed at Burna, 25 miles from Belgrade, owing to lack of petrol, which took him four and a-half hours to obtain. Mr Victor Smith also announced that he had abandoned the race after a forced landing at Scoplje owing to oil trouble. -Hawkes Bay Tribune, 30/9/1936.
“FREAK FLIER”
NEW ZEALAND AVIATOR.
IN SOUTH AFRICAN RACE.
Known of late months as the ‘‘freak man” of the Royal Air Force, Flight-Lieutenant A. E. Clouston, formerly or Westport and for a time a member of the Marlborough Aero Club, was announced in recent cables as a competitor in the Portsmouth-Johannesburg Centenary air race, to start today. Chief test pilot at the famous R.’A.F. establishment at Farnborough, he heads a short list which the Air Ministry has compiled of pilots to he considered in an impending secret attempt on the world’s aeroplane altitude record.
The altitude crown has been worn since 1929 in turn by the United States, Britain, Italy, and France. In May, 1929, Lieutenant Soucek, of the U.S. Navy air arm, flew to 42,000ft. This stood until the one-armed Briton, Cyril Uwens, reached 45,000ft in September of 1932, for which he was given the Britannia Trophy for the year’s outstanding feat in aviation. A month later a Frenchman, Lemoine, failed by 600ft to equal his mark, which remained the record until Donati, an Italian army flier, in pursuance of Signor Mussolini’s ambition to gain all the aviation honours, flew to a height of 47,300ft, in April, 1934. Then, only six weeks ago, a Frenchman, Georges Detre, beat this by 1400 ft. His figure of 48,864ft is the one which the British Air Ministry has hopes of surpassing with a secretlyconstructed aeroplane, which the designers intimate is expected to reach 60,000ft — over eleven miles high!
“IMPOSSIBLE” FLYING FEAT. A. E. Clouston is on the reserve of Air Force officers. According to Victor Burnett, air correspondent of the London Sunday Express, he is one of the most brilliant pilots in Britain, and is said to be one of the strongest men in the R.A.F. His high physical standard, combined with his ability as a pilot, made him a likely entrant in the Johannesburg Centenary air race from the start. But added to these qualifications is the fact that he has an unusual aptitude for withstanding the severe conditions found at great heights. Air Force colleagues call him a human freak. Clouston claimed that he could fly at 30.000 feet without oxygen or other artificial breathing aids. This claim was regarded as impossible. Most men need oxygen at 22,000ft onwards.
THRILL OF HIGH FLYING. Clouston was put in a compression chamber to test his claim. This chamber is hermetically sealed. Air can be pumped out of it until conditions exactly identical to those found at great heights are reproduced. Up and up went the dial. First 20,000ft, 25.000ft — 26,000 feet were passed. Observers saw Clouston still behaving normally. At 27,000ft the pilot began to need oxygen. But his claim was proved. It was found that the altimeter of the aeroplane he flew registered 30,000ft when the machine was at 27,000 ft. Clouston has a cast-iron nerve. Once, when in a crashing aircraft, he found that the machine would fall on some children. So he stayed in it till he was sure it would crash where it could do no harm — and then jumped with his parachute. -Manawatu Standard, 30/9/1936.
REACHES NORTHERN RHODESIA.
NEXT STAGE TO JOHANNESBURG.
NON-STOP AFTER A SLEEP.
(United Press Association — Copyright.) (Received This Day, 1.45 p.m.) JOHANNESBURG, September 30.
C. W. A. Scott, now the leader in the air race, landed at Abercorn (North Rhodesia) at 9.30 p.m. He was very tired and is sleeping until 12 o’clock (British Standard, Time), when he will leave for Johannesburg, non-stop.
SCOTT REACHES KISUMU. LLEWELLYN ALSO REPORTED.
(Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, September 30 Scott arrived at Kisumu at 2 p.m. (British eastern standard time), and left 20 minutes later. Llewellyn passed over Entebbe at 2.15 p.m. (British eastern standard time), en route for Mpika.
WALLER REACHES KHARTOUM.
(Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 30. K. Waller has arrived at Khartoum
EARLIER STAGES OF THE RACE.
CLOUSTON GREATLY DELAYED
LONDON, September 30
The five competitors who remain in the England-South Africa air race have all left Cairo and are flying down Africa to Johannesburg. Halse appears to be in the lead, and may reach the finishing post at noon. A message from Nairobi states that Halse arrived at Kisumu at 7.24 a.m. (British summer time), having covered 4367 miles in 24 hours 23 minutes, and left at 8 a.m. for Salisbury. Scott and Guthrie and Llewellyn arrived at Khartoum at 5.45 a.m., and left together at 6 a.m.
Clouston landed at 2.45 a.m. (local time) and complained of engine trouble. It appears that he has run a bearing. It is doubtful whether he will be able to continue.
Halse was thus able to get a valuable lead, making is possible for him to arrive at Johannesburg at noon. Halse, who is an instructor to the Johannesburg Aero Club, took six hours to fly from Cairo to Khartoum, compared with Scott’s 6hrs 7in, and Llewellyn’s seven hours. Waller landed at Karma, 325 miles from Khartoum. His petrol was exhausted, but he is refuelling and continuing to Khartoum.
NEW ZEALAND COMPETITOR.
LIEUTENANT A. E. CLOUSTON
(Per Press Association.) NELSON, Sept. 30. Lieutenant A. E. Clouston, one of the contestants in the air race to Johannesburg, is aged 28 years, and is the son of Mr and Mrs R. E. Clouston, of Neudorf, Nelson.
Lieutenant Clouston was born at Motueka and went to school at Collingwood. At the age of 14 years he went to sea and he followed this calling for some time, until he suffered an illness. Returning to land, he became engaged in the motor business at Nelson and on the West Coast. He later took up flying at Blenheim, training under Mr N. Chandler, and after a few months, at the age of 21 years, he sailed for England, where he was with the Fairey Aviation Company for some months until he joined the Royal Air Force.
At present he occupies the position of test pilot to the Air Ministry and he has been given time off to take part in the race. -Ashburton Guardian, 1/10/1936.
FLIGHT TO N.Z.
PROSPECTIVE PLAN.
Flying-Officer Clouston May Come at Christmas.
INTENTION DISCLOSED.
(By Telegraph. — Own Correspondent.) NAPIER, this day.
The possibility that Flying-Officer A. E. Clouston, the New Zealander, who has been a conspicuous figure in the Portsmouth to Johannesburg air race, might fly to New Zealand next Christmas, is disclosed by his brother, Mr. F. N. Clouston, of Napier. Plans for such a flight had actually been finalised last year and Flying-Officer Clouston was ready to leave when he was offered the post as chief test pilot at the R.A.F. station at Farnborough.
"My brother had every intention of flying to New Zealand last Christmas and had actually asked me in an air mail letter to make preparations for a secret landing at Motueka," said Mr. Clouston yesterday.
"I dispatched plans of the landing ground at Motueka to England, and all preparations had been finalised for the flight to commence. On the day before my brother intended to set out, however, he was offered the position of chief test pilot at Farnborough and he accepted it."
Mr. Clouston added that his brother had postponed the flight to New Zealand, indefinitely but would probably undertake it next Christinas. In the flight as originally planned he intended to use his own two-seater de Soutter 'plane, but he had since received offers of machines with speeds in the vicinity of 200 miles an hour.
Mr. Clouston, giving a brief account of his brother's flying career, disclosed how an aerobatic display before Wing-Commander Grant Dalton, their Director of Aviation, paved the way for his entry to the Royal Force. His brother, he said, conducted a used-car business at Westport and later became associated with activities of the Marlborough Aero Club.
ONCE A SAILOR.
MR. CLOUSTON'S CAREER.
(By Telegraph. — Press Association.) NELSON, this day. Flying-Officer A. E. Clouston is 28 years old. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Clouston. of Neudorf, Nelson, and was born at Motueka. He went to school at Collingwood and at the age of 14 went to sea, which calling he followed for some time until he suffered an illness and returned to the land. Mr. Clouston took up flying at Blenheim, where he trained under Captain Chandler. After a few months, at the age of 21, he sailed for England, where he was with the Fairey Aviation Company for some months until he joined the Royal Air Force.
SCOTT'S LAST LAP.
Snatching 4 Hours' Sleep in Rhodesia.
NOW LEADER IN RACE.
(Received 2 p.m.) JOHANNESBURG, September 30. Mr. C. W. A. Scott, now the leader in the air race, landed at Abercorn, Northern Rhodesia, at 9.30 p.m. He is very tired and is sleeping until 2 a.m. (British standard time), when he will leave for here non-stop.
HIGH AVERAGE SPEED.
CAPTAIN HALSE'S FIGURES.
(Received 1.30 p.m.) JOHANNESBURG, September 30. Following a check-up on his time, it is discovered that Captain Halse covered 5450 miles in approximately 35 hours, at an average speed of 153.5 m.p.h. His total flying time was 32 hours and average speed for the time actually in the air 170 m.p.h.
FORTY ENTRIES.
South Australian Centenary Air Race.
CONTEST IN DECEMBER.
(Received 10 a.m.) ADELAIDE, this day. Forty entries have been received for the South Australian centenary air race from Brisbane to Adelaide in December. Nominations closed last night, but more telegraphic entries may be received.
ALTITUDE RECORD.
BRITISH 'PLANE SUCCEEDS.
British Official Wireless. (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, September 30. The successful attempt made yesterday by Squadron-Leader Swayne on the world's altitude record, was observed by officials of the Royal Aero Club and the height attained was communicated to the Air Ministry. The figures are subject to confirmation by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. The aeroplane and engine, constructed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, were ordered by the Air Ministry in 1934 with a view to the exploration of special problems involved in extreme altitudes. It is hoped that still greater heights may be attained by this craft.
The King, from Balmoral, sent a message of congratulations to Squadron Leader Swayne "on your fine achievement in breaking the altitude record with all-British equipment." -Auckland Star, 1/10/1936.
The “Flying Flea,” forbidden to fly in France pending wind tunnel tests, and distrusted in England until similar tests shall have been carried out at Farnborough, appeared at the municipal airport at Ramsgate in November in a number of variations, and was flown for exhibition and in a race. Eight “ Fleas” in all were flown, and one of them was the new cabin single-seater which M. Henri Mignet, the inventor, had brought from France. This new model was shown by Mr Mignet to have astonishing performance. Its engine, a Menguin (38 h.p.) twin, gives only 5 h.p. more than a Carden engine at its best, but the gain in speed is at least 15 miles an hour. The design is also improved and gives much better control. The two main lifting surfaces are more widely separated, and the tailplane has a small elevator on its trailing edge to afford fore-and-aft control when the front wing has been tilted to the full extent. M. Mignet said that its cruising speed is 95 miles an hour, its range 300, and its price in France will be 9,000 francs. The twoseater, designed on similar lines and fitted with a Salmson nine-cylinder (45 h.p.) engine, is to cost about 15,000 francs. The conditions of the race for “Flying Fleas” made the new model with its incipient elevator ineligible. The seven others which took part in the race were a mixed lot of British and French construction, flown by British and French pilots. There were four types of engine among the entrants," ranging from the 17 h.p. Aubier-Dunne of the first successful “Flea” to the 33 h.p. Carden fitted in two of the Abbott-Baynes models. Only one of the little engines failed, and that had already been throwing out so much oil that a gallon vanished in 20 minutes, and the pilot, Flight-lieutenant A. E. Clouston, muffled himself in three scarves and a big oilskin against the oily deluge. When they had got into their stride some of the competitors made good speeds. Mr S. V. Appleby in his Abbott-Baynes “Flea” (Carden engine) did 78 miles an hour in the second and third laps. Mr Claud Oscroft, one of the scratch men, made the third lap at 80 miles an hour, and M Edouard Brett, who managed to keep just ahead of Mr Appleby, at the last was flying at more than 70 'miles an hour, though his four-cylindpr Ava engine gave only 27 h.p. The successful performance of these eight “Fleas” in the hands of experienced pilots is not conclusive proof that the “Flea” may be trusted in any hands without careful checking of rig, centre of gravity, and loading, but the easy handling of all the machines suggested that the “Flea" is capable of being made a safe flying machine. M. Mignet’s exhibition in the new model, the H.M.18, suggested even higher possibilities. It took off after half the run needed by the ordinary “Flea,” it climbed at a remarkably steep angle, more like a fighter than a light aeroplane; it was obviously much faster than Mr Appleby’s “Flea,” which flew with it; and M. Mignet turned it, dived it, and banked it as though it had all the control surfaces of an orthodox aeroplane, instead of merely a tilting wing, a rudder, and a half-grown elevator. -Evening Star, 15/1/1937.
ARTHUR CLOUSTON
AN APPRECIATION
[To The Editor] Sir, — Allow me to express my greatest appreciation of Flying Officer Arthur Clouston through per medium of the “Nelson Evening Mail” for the way he broke the record from London to the Cape and back Home again. In to-night’s issue (Friday) of the “Nelson Evening Mail" I see that he intends to fly home and try and make some sort of a record from London to Australia if conditions favour, and also fly across the Tasman in the Comet in which Scott and the late Campbell Black won the Melbourne Centenary Air Race.
I say the best of luck with him and his companion. If, sir, this is achieved, which I hope and no doubt will be, it will mark a great incident to me by his landing in Motueka.
Some 14 or 15 years have passed now since I happened to be the bosun of the steamer of the Anchor Shipping Company that young Arthur Clouston joined, just a mere lad right off the farm, I presume at about the age of 14 years. He came round from Bainham to Motueka to join us. As bosun in those days, I had the handling, to a certain extent with the ordinary seamen as he was classed, so young Clouston began his seafaring career for a few months and sickness overtook him and forced him to retire to the land once again, but this time in the motor mechanic business. While he was with us he seemed to take a great interest in all seafaring classes of work, especially steering the ship. He liked the compass very well and splicing too. His mind was on his work the whole time he was with us, and he was liked by all he came in contact with on the ship.
If he succeeds with this flight to Motueka, it will recall his start as a boy of 14 years who started at sea, and was a Royal Air Officer a few years after. He will come now in a very much higher position. Trusting Arthur has a safe return home. — I am, etc., BOSUN -Nelson Evening Mail, 8/1/1938.
DARING AVIATOR
Arthur Clouston a New Zealander Will Fly Across the World
By AILERON
PROMISE of a great future in aviation for New Zealand is given by the outstanding performances of a number of Dominion-born young men, and at least one young woman, who have risen to prominence in the air. Jean Batten, an Aucklander, and Jack Burgess, who was born in the South Island, but is a Wellingtonian by adoption, have both made outstanding flights between England and their homeland. The latest New Zealander to plan such a journey is Arthur Clouston.
Organised in connection with the 150th anniversary celebrations now being held in Sydney, Flying-Officer Arthur Ernest Clouston's flight will be made in a world-famous monoplane which has already some great flights to its credit. Actually, the machine was not very far from New Zealand in 1934. She was flown from Mildenhall, England, to Melbourne, Australia, by C. W. A. Scott and the late T. Campbell Black, winners of the Melbourne Centenary air race. Instead of coming on to New Zealand, as had been hoped, she was taken back to England, and has since made many long-distance trips at high speed.
Definite Plans Until the recent announcement that Flying-Officer Clouston intended to bring the De Havilland Comet across the world again, there was little hope that the machine, which is famous in many lands, would ever be seen in New Zealand. Definite plans have now been made, however, and in a few days' time the little monoplane will take off to wing her way from England to New Zealand and back, seeking fresh records.
Only a fraction of the size of the huge flying-boat Centaurus which Captain J. W. Burgess recently brought to New Zealand, and very little bigger than Miss Jean Batten's little monoplane, the De Havilland Comet is none the less much faster than either the Centaurus or any other machine which has ever been seen in New Zealand. Her cruising speed is more than 200 miles an hour, and on full throttle she is capable of even higher speeds.
Variety of Names The little Comet has had a variety of names. She started life in 1934 as the Grosvenor House, the name of a famous London Hotel, and when she recently flew from England to Capetown and back in record time she was called The Burberry. For her latest venture she has been named Australian Anniversary, an appropriate name in view of the fact that her real mission is in connection with the magnificent celebrations now being held in Sydney.
One of the outstanding fliers at present serving in England, Flying-Officer Clouston belongs to a small band of highly-skilled experts employed by the Air Ministry as test pilots. To occupy this position a man must not only be a skilful flier. He must be the possessor of vast courage and resource, and it is a tribute to New Zealand aviation as a whole that he has been chosen from the many hundreds of capable fliers offering, to act as an Air Ministry test pilot. He has been granted special leave to make the flight to New Zealand and back.
His Home Town Since Motueka, in the South Island, is Mr. Clouston's home town, arrangements have been made for him to conclude his flight as near there as possible. Present plans indicate that he will actually land at Blenheim, where there is a large aerodrome, in time for breakfast next Friday morning, and he is expected to pay a visit to Motueka during the few days he remains in New Zealand.
Taking off from Croydon, the great English air terminal, next Monday, Mr. Clouston plans to make the journey half-way across the world with as few stops as possible. It is his intention to land at Damascus, Karachi, Calcutta, Singapore, Darwin and Sydney, concluding the first half of his journey at Blenheim.
Accompanying Mr. Clouston as copilot will be the aviation reporter of a London newspaper, Mr. Victor Ricketts, who is also an experienced flier. They will share the work of flying the little monoplane, which would be an almost impossible task for one man to undertake over such a long journey.
Aviator's Confidence In preparation for the flight, the Comet has been thoroughly overhauled and reconditioned. After test flights made at Gravesond airport, England, last week, Mr. Clouston expressed complete satisfaction with the machine's performance. He said the machine did everything asked of it, and after a flight at 214 miles an hour at 7000 ft., he appeared confident of the fitness of the monoplane to undertake the flight from England to New Zealand and back.
"We have decided to install new armrests in the cockpit for extra comfort, and extra flasks for beef-tea, tomato soup and orange juice." Mr. Clouston said at the conclusion of the first test flight. "In the next few days, we shall be tuning up the Comet with a series of flights to complete 10 hours' running in. It will then be necessary to take down, check and replace the engines, and we are ready for the flight south."
A Nelson Boy Born in Motueka, Mr. Clouston is 29 years of age. He learned to fly with the Marlborough Aero Club at Blenheim, and went to England with a short service commission in the Royal Air Force, serving from 1930 to 1935, when he left to become one of the four special civil test pilots with the Air Ministry. Mr. Clouston, who is recognised as one of the most intrepid living fliers, is 5ft. 9m. in height, strongly built, and in magnificent physical condition for the trial ahead of him. He is noted particularly for his ability to fly at high altitudes and in the most exacting conditions.
Shortly after his record-breaking flight to Capetown and back in November, Mr. Clouston married Miss Elsie Turner. She was before her marriage associated with the Air Ministry, and is apparently used to flying, as she says that her husband's daring exploits in the air do not cause her any anxiety.
The Comet in which the great flight is to be made is one of those specially built by the De Havilland Company for the Melbourne race in 1934. It is a low-wing cabin monoplane, powered by two six-cylinder Gipsy motors, and is one of the most beautifully-streamlined little craft ever produced. With its wheels retracted, it offers a minimum of resistance to the air, and in its screaming flights across the sky, has well earned the name Comet. -NZ Herald, 5/2/1938.
THE COMET
BRITAIN'S RECORD-BREAKING PLANE.
Referring to Clouston and Rickett's flight record from London to New Zealand and back, a writer in an English paper has some interesting things to say about the machine as well as about the pilot. About the Comet that they flew there is much to say, he says. It was built in 1934 for the Australia air race —which it won with Charles Scott and Tom Campbell Black, setting up a record that has never been beaten.
Since then it has had a varied life. It was sold to the R.A.F. and has been crashed several times. It was sold as scrap, rebuilt, and has been used for various stunt flights.
Clouston flew it in the Damascus race last year, and took the Cape-and-back records on it with Betty Kirby-Green — another great flight. It has been rebuilt so often that there is very little of the original machine left. In 1934 it was the fastest machine of its type. In 1938 it is still the only British-built airplane in the country suitable for a long-distance record. Our designers have done nothing since. Ricketts says that on their way to New Zealand they saw big air liners capable of passing them — and they were not British air liners.
As the "Aeroplane" says: "It is an old aeroplane, and the fact that such a shattering performance can be done in an ancient machine is the best possible proof of the need for a general shake-up and awakening of British civil aviation, such as the Cadman report advises."
We used to call Arthur Clouston the fittest physical specimen in flying. Now we say that he is the finest air navigator in the world. All the way on that gruelling flight he navigated by dead reckoning. He had no radio or outside aids. But when he said a certain point would show up at a certain time it did. He was never beaten. -King Country Chronicle, 1/6/1938.
It was shortly after his New Zealand flight that Clouston was approached by a "millionaire industrialist" and asked to name his price to kill Adolf Hitler. The suggested plan was for him to disguise his DH Comet and take off from a Yorkshire airstrip with two small high-explosive bombs aboard. He would fly over the North Sea, Denmark, then the Baltic Sea and turn south for Berlin. His arrival would be timed to coincide with a public parade, in which his target would be seated in one of the two leading open cars. After releasing his bombs Clouston would fly back on the same course, or divert to a Swedish airstrip in case of emergency.
Clouston's price, he decided, would be a million pounds, an impossible figure, he thought - worth one hundred times more these days. He was very surprised to have the sum accepted. He did not make the flight - in his autobiography he claims that he was unaware of what the nazis were doing in Germany at the time and he regarded the job as murder.
Clouston's potential backers were Jewish, and knew what was happening to German Jews. Who knows what might have happened if the job had been done.
Three More N.Z. Airmen Killed
[Per Press Association. Copyright.] WELLINGTON. This Day.
The following official casualty list has been issued:
Flight-Lieutenant Falcon Nelson Clouston, previously missing, now reported killed in air operations. His father is Mr R. E. Clouston, rural mail delivery, Upper Moutere, Nelson. Squadron-Leader A. E. Clouston, who is in England, is a brother.
Sergeant John Edgar Fuller, R.N.Z.A.F.. missing on air operations. His wife is Mrs J. E. Fuller. Grovetown. Blenheim.
Acting Flight-Sergeant R. A. J. Anderson. R.N.Z.A.F., killed in action, according to information received from the German High Command through the International Red Cross. His mother is Mrs Anderson, North Hants, England.
In January, 1939, Acting Flight-Sergeant Anderson was selected as a wireless operator to join a flight of Vickers-Wellington bombers which were to be flown from England to New Zealand.
He was reported missing, believed killed, on July 23. -Northern Advocate, 26/8/1940.
FASTEST AIRMAN
NEW ZEALAND PILOT EMPLOYED ON TEST WORK
(Times Air Mail Service.) LONDON, Oct. 4
I should rate Squadron-leader A. E. Clouston as the fastest man in the country at the present time, says a writer in the Evening Standard. I say that because he is testing new types of R.A.F. high-speed airplanes.
Clouston, tall, handsome, dark-moustached New Zealander, has been civil test pilot at the Royal Aircraft establishment at Farnborough since 1935, when he was transferred to the R.A.F. Reserve.
Such a job demands iron nerve and the highest degree of physical fitness. Clouston possesses both.
On that account he was selected shortly before the war to undertake the desperate work of flying into a balloon barrage and baling out.
Future Wife Watched Clouston had two breaks in his pre-war service as test pilot. On one he smashed the Cape record; on the other, the New Zealand.
A few minutes before he left on the Cape flight Clouston announced his engagement to Miss Elsie Turner, blonde, blue-eyed girl, who also was employed at Farnborough.
He had seen her at work as he walked each day to the pilots' room to take up a newly designed aircraft. And Miss Turner would sometimes leave her desk for a moment to watch him take off, to verify in the air the figures she had helped to work out on paper.
Both were 29 when they married nearly three years ago. A daughter was born to them last July. -Waikato Times, 30/12/1940.
IMPATIENT FOR ACTION
EAGERNESS OF AIRMEN
“Everybody is just breaking his neck to get into action, and judging by the work of the ground staff they could not have been a better lot — and my knowledge of our pilots and C. O., we will certainly put up a very good show when called to do so,” wrote Pilot-Officer F. S. Johnstone, an old boy of Timaru Boys’ High School, now stationed with the New Zealand Fighter Squadron at Singapore, in a letter to a friend in Timaru.
Wing-Commander A. E. Clouston, A.F.C. and bar, formerly well known in flying circles in the Dominion, is officer commanding the New Zealand Squadron at Singapore. The New Zealanders had one of the best Rugby football teams in that part of the world, said Pilot-Officer Johnstone. and there was promise of a good cricket team when the season began. The chief pastime was swimming, and quite a number played tennis.
“Taken all round, excessive sport of any sort is found to be pretty tough in this climate,” he said. Describing a tropical rainstorm, Pilot-Officer Johnstone said that about as much rain fell in half an hour as fell in Timaru in a week of rain. At least one inch of water fell in 10 minutes in Singapore, accompanied by heavy thunder and blinding flashes of lightning. After half an hour of the downpour, the drains and roads would be flooded, but the storm would end as suddenly as it had begun. -Gisborne Herald, 14/1/1942.
DANGEROUS TASK
NEW ZEALAND AIRMAN
LONDON, Aug. 16. Described in a broadcast as one of the Royal Air Force “back room boys,” Wing-Commander A. E, Clouston, the famous New Zealand long-distance flier, carries out the dangerous work of testing cables of barrage balloons. Wing-Commander Clouston’s particular job is to fly into various balloon cables to find out the type of cable, and the length, which will be most effective in cutting through the wings of Axis planes. Sometimes the cable being tested by him gets caught in the propeller, and whips round the fuselage of his plane with a force sufficient to decapitate a man. Wing-Commander Clouston wears a motor-cyclist’s crash helmet for his job. and his cockpit is covered in a steel mesh for added protection. -Gisborne Herald, 18/8/1942.
VALUABLE WORK FOR R.A.F.
WING COMMANDER A. E. CLOUSTON
FAMOUS AVIATOR NOW IN ENGLAND
The role being played in the war by a well-known New Zealand aviator, wing Commander A. E. Clouston, A.F.C,, is revealed in the current issue of the N.Z.R.S.A. magazine, "Review.'’ Achieving fame well before the outbreak of war. Wing Commander Clouston has latterly been a “mystery man” of the air. Actually he has been doing valuable work with the Royal Air Force in England in experimental flying.
Wing Commander Clouston's duties have included the testing under actual flying conditions of new types of aeroplanes. His duties are not those of an ordinary test pilot. Collaborating with the scientists and research staff on the ground, he has the task of seeing how the many problems met by service pilots can be successfully overcome. After he has tested out improvement to engines, propellers, and so on, his job is to suggest possible improvements which can be effected before the innovations go into mass production.
Before Britain set up her balloon barrage, it was necessary to find out just how effective the barrage would be. Wing Commander Clouston was commissioned to fly deliberately into the cables to which the balloons were attached. When the wires cut through the wings of his aeroplane, Wing Commander Clouston was forced to "bail out.” After repeated tests with various types of cable, and different arrangements of the wires, a system was evolved which Wing Commander Clouston was unable to penetrate. The ideal cable for the barrage had been found.
The problem of the icing-up of aeroplane wings, which presented one of the major difficulties of the first Allied raids on Germany, was also solved partly because of Wing Commander Clouston's experiments. At present he is helping in the development of night fighters. -Press, 31/7/1943.
In March, 1943, Clouston was promoted to Squadron Leader and posted to command No. 224 Squadron, flying long-range, four-engined Liberators over the Atlantic Ocean on anti-submarine patrols.
D.F.C. AWARDED
“GREAT GALLANTRY”
WING COMM. CLOUSTON
(By Telegraph — Press Assn. — Copyright.) (9 a.m.) LONDON, 0ct. 3.
The New Zealander, Wing Commander A. E. Clouston t who before the war broke the flying records to the Cape and to New Zealand, has been awarded the D.F.C. “for great gallantry and coolness in attacking and destroying an enemy submarine.’'
He was one of those chosen for the hazardous task of flying into balloon barrage cables to test their effectiveness. This involved risk of decapitation. Wing Commander Clouston wore a crash helmet and covered the cockpit of the plane with steel mesh. -Gisborne Herald, 4/10/1943.
U-BOATS FOILED
THE DESTRUCTION OF TWO.
WARSHIPS AND PLANES ATTACK.
NEW ZEALAND PILOT LEADS OFF.
(N.Z. Press Association — Copyright.)
(Rec. 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 17.
U-boats operating in the vicinity of Allied shipping in the North Atlantic recently were subjected to such relentless assaults by an escort group of the Royal Navy and by aircraft of the Coastal Command that the enemy was prevented from launching even one attack against two valuable westbound convoys. During these attacks British ships under Commander P. W. Gretton in the destroyer Duncan, destroyed two Uboats.
A communique says: “The actions began when a Coastal Command Liberator from squadrons commanded by a New Zealander, Wing Commander A. E. Clouston, was on an anti-submarine sweep about 15 miles from the convoy. This aircraft sighted and attached a U-boat, meanwhile signalling up the Duncan and the accompanying corvettes. As the ships approached, the Liberator reported that the U-boat was diving.
“The Duncan took up the hunt and about two hours later carried out two attacks with depth charges. These were followed by a series of deep underwater explosions. The Duncan and the corvettes made further attacks. Shortly afterwards a large quantity of wreckage floated to the surface. Pieces of wood, apparently from a writing desk, the linings of bulkheads and locker lids were recovered by the Duncan. Oil and wreckage were still rising when the ships left.
“Later a second U-boat was detected and after four hours of attacks by surface vessels there was a sound resembling a submarine blowing its tanks and later a number of muffled explosions and then large pieces of wood and other wreckage were picked up.
“The convoys proceeded to their destinations without further incident.” — British Official Wireless. -Ashburton Guardian, 18/12/1943.
LIVELY COMBATS OVER THE BAY OF BISCAY.
CLOUSTON CAPTAINS PLANE
PRAISE FOR GUNNERS
(N.Z. Press Association — Copyright.) (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 21.
Lively engagements against greatly-superior formations of enemy aircraft were fought in the Bay of Biscay by two Liberators operating under the Coastal Command.
A British Liberator captained by Wing-Commander A. E. Clouston, D.F.C., the New Zealander famous as a pre-war test pilot, when on anti-submarine patrol, was intercepted by four twin-engined aircraft believed to be Junkers 88’s, and had a 50-minute combat with them in half moonlight.
Clouston said: “My gunners saved the day for us by reporting the enemy's position smartly each time they attacked. At one time both our turrets were jammed and two members of the crew had to swing the top turret round by hand. The enemy attempted one formation attack after another, but because of fine work by our gunners none of them succeeded.” The combat was ended when the Liberator took evasive action in the clouds. It suffered only slight damage.
The other engagement took place when a Liberator of a United States naval squadron fought eight Junkers 88’s. The Liberator after 15 minutes’ combat left one diving towards the sea, smoking heavily. The Liberator sustained neither casualties nor damage. — British. Official Wireless. -Ashburton Guardian, 22/12/1943.
AWARDED THE D.S.O.
WING-CDR. A. E. CLOUSTON
Rec. 12.15 p.m. LONDON, April 14. The New Zealander Wing Commander A. E. Clouston, of the R.A.F., who before the war made a record-breaking flight from London to New Zealand and back, has been awarded the D.S.O. for service with a squadron operating against U-boats.
Wing Commander Clouston, who already holds the D.F.C. and Bar, was one of the pilots who, wearing protective helmets daily crashed planes into barrage balloon wires to perfect Britain's air defences. -Evening Post, 15/4/1944.
N.Z. BEAUFIGHTERS ATTACK ENEMY SHIPS
Daring Raids On Vital Nazi Supply Lines
N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent. Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, May 22. Now on a station in the east of England, the New Zealand Beaufighter torpedo-bomber squadron is continuing its successes against enemy shipping off the coast of Holland. The New Zealanders operate with an Australian Beaufighter squadron, and both squadrons on the station are commanded by Group-Captain A. E. Clouston, D.S.0., D.F.C., A.F.C. and bar.
The New Zealanders are continuing the same role which they performed so conspicuously while in Scotland, when they sank many ships off the Norwegian coast. Their work falls into three categories. They carry out reconaissances in pairs along the shipping lane off the Dutch coast, seeking convoys. When one is sighted the squadron takes off with a proportion of the Beaufighters loaded with torpedoes and others act as escorts, going in to "beat up" the flakships which escort the merchantmen.
Australians Co-operate
The Australian squadron, which concentrates entirely on this role, not dropping torpedoes, accompanies the New Zealanders as anti-flak escort. The Beaufighters fly at a very low level as they roar out over the North Sea in formation. They get as low down to the water as possible, often flying only seven or eight yards over the sea, and once a convoy is sighted the anti-flak Beaufighters go on ahead and strafe the ships, while the torpedoers pick out their targets, climb to about 50ft and release their "torps" from about 1000 yards.
This coastal traffic has become increasingly important to the Germans as a result of the disruption of land communications, and in the words of one New Zealander, the Germans are so "fond" of these merchantmen that they provide at least three flakships as escorts for each merchantman. The result is that Beaufighters expect to meet a wall of fire as well as a balloon barrage when they go in to the attack — unless they manage to surprise the enemy, which frequently occurs. But the fact that they are flying so low makes it one of the most dangerous operations, for if their aircraft is badly hit it crashes into the sea immediately, giving the crew little or perhaps no chance of baling out.
Among the officers in the New Zealand Squadron is Flying-Officer W. A. Fraser, D.F.M., Auckland, who is a newcomer. He won his D.F.M. in North Africa, where he carried out many attacks in torpedo-carrying Wellingtons. Squadron-Leader L. A. Robertson, Auckland, who previously flew with Group-Captain Clouston's Liberator squadron, is at present filling the post of wing-commander (flying) on a station.
Since January the squadron attacked 120,000 tons of enemy shipping off Norway and Holland, of which they either sunk or damaged 35,000 tons. -Auckland Star, 23/5/1944.
FAMOUS FLYER
MOTUEKA AIRMAN
Group-Captain Clouston's Colourful Career
N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent. Rec. 12 .30 p.m. LONDON, May 22.
Promoted Group-Captain at the age of 36, the famous Motueka airman A. E. Clouston, D.S.0., D.F.C., A.F.C. and bar, now commands a station with a truly Anzac atmosphere, for both New Zealand and Australian Beaufighter squadrons are based on it. Group-Captain Clouston was promoted and given his present appointment after commanding a Liberator squadron for one year. His wartime record is as distinguished as his peacetime career.
He entered the R.A.F. in 1930 and served a short service commission in Fighter Command until 1935, when he became one of two Air Ministry civilian test pilots at Farnborough. During the four years preceding the war he tested many new types of aircraft, including the Spitfire and Wellesley, and he also experimented with barrage balloon cables, first flying into a thin string suspended from toy balloons, then using thicker and thicker string, then fine wire and thicker wire with larger balloons until the present standard balloon and cable was decided upon.
Recalled to RAF for war.
On the outbreak of war he was recalled to the R.A.F. and given the rank of squadron-leader. He continued his work as test pilot. It was while testing a Spitfire during the Battle of Britain that his attention was attracted by flak bursts. He flew towards them and sighted a Messerschmitt 110, which he attacked, damaged and chased to the Channel, where it was last seen descending to the sea. During the chase he also saw a Heinkel 111, which he attacked and definitely destroyed.
In October, 1940, he was posted to a Beaufighter night fighter squadron and flew for 52 hours seeking German raiders during the London blitz. In December, 1940, he was transferred to the personal staff of Sir John Salmond, at the Ministry of Aircraft Production and became engaged in the development of radio location. In the following year he was promoted wing-commander in command of the squadron. During that period he helped to form nine new squadrons.
Decorations for Service
For his work in testing balloon cables he was awarded the A.F.C., and for his part in the development of night fighters he was awarded the bar to the A.F.C. In February, 1943, at his own request, he was transferred to Coastal Command, where he commanded a squadron of Liberators engaged against submarine patrols over the Atlantic between England and Gibraltar and testing new devices, including the Leigh light.
Once he sighted a U-boat seven miles away through his binoculars and immediately ordered an attack. The U-boat greeted the Liberator with an accurate burst of fire from its anti-aircraft gun, holing the Liberator in 36 places, but accurate depth charges sent the U-boat under the surface, on which oil and air bubbles showed for 20 minutes. The Admiralty subsequently assessed the U-boat as destroyed.
On another occasion four Junkers 88 were attacked by his Liberator and a running fight followed for 50 minutes, the Liberator finally eluding them with only six cannon shell holes in the rudders.
4035 flying hours.
In his long flying career, which began in Marlborough, where he learned to fly a Moth, paying £3 an hour, and continued during his record-breaking flights to the Cape and New Zealand, Group-Captain Clouston has flown no fewer than 183 different types of aircraft, while his flying hours are 4035. He is very proud of his Anzac squadrons, particularly, of course, the New Zealanders. "You are going to hear a lot of them," he said. -Auckland Star, 23/5/1944.
After the war, in February 1947, the New Zealand government appointed Clouston to the post of Director of Civil Aviation.
Current Notes
Mrs Clouston arrived in Auckland on Monday with her husband, Group Captain A. E. Clouston, and their two small daughters. They have been living for the last year in Buckeburg, near Hanover, where Group Captain Clouston was stationed. -Press, 3/9/1947.
OUT AND ABOUT
Flying In Wellington
After nine years’ absence on war service, the sport of flying returned to the notice of the public of Wellington recently. The occasion was the first post-war field day of the Wellington Aero Club, held in ideal conditions at the Paraparamu aerodrome. A splendid crowd saw a show ranging from a Meteor display by Group Captain A. E. Clouston, one of the most experienced and able airmen New Zealand has produced, to landing competitions in little Tiger Moths flown by pupil pilots with only a few hours’ flying experience. -Bay of Plenty Times, 28/11/1947.
MR NASH FLIES NEW AIRCRAFT
(P.A.) AUCKLAND. June 12. The Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) was looking pleased, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer) relieved, when they stepped out of the aeroplane which brought them from Wellington this morning before their departure for Sydney. Inquiries showed that the pilot of the aeroplane — a brand new De Havilland Dove delivered yesterday at Ohakea — as it circled Whenuapai airfield had been Mr Nash.
“I took her off.” said Group Captain A. E. Clouston. “and then handed her over to Mr Nash. He flew all the way from then on — kept her on course, too — flying at about 1000 feet. The only trouble was that although he was well clear of the hills he insisted on climbing over them.”
Mr Nash looked modest and admitted that his only previous flying experience was piloting an aeroplane through a rainstorm in the Pacific. “I think Mr Nordmeyer was worried,” he added. -Press, 14/6/1948.
General News
Special Guest Air Commodore A. E. Clouston, who, with Victor Ricketts, set a long-distance flight record in the mid-30s between the United Kingdom and New Zealand in a de Havilland Comet, is to be guest of honour at the Marlborough Aero Club’s fortieth anniversary vintage pageant at Easter. Air Commodore Clouston, now in England, is an honorary member of the club. -Press, 30/1/1968.
Arthur Clouston retired to Cornwall in 1960 and died there in 1968.
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