Tied together aeroplanes
 

Did they really, really do this?

I wonder how strong the rope or knots were. But in any case, would YOU be prepared to entertain such an activity under any circumstances other than as spectator?


Aerobatics Tied Together! - British Pathé

Strings or no strings, that is a fine piece of flying!

Tiger Club used to do it with Tigers and Turbs, and may still do so. Their rope is some form of tape and breaks quite easily - think they used to break it before landing.

I'm pretty sure the pre-war 'formation drills' were attached by a single thickness bungee cord.

My first ever airshow was a Tiger Club display at Ramsgate Airport in the late 50s.

Three Tigers did a tied-together display, although I don't remember them looping. I also remember a solo Turbulent display with the pilot dressed as a "city gent", who doffed his bowler to the crowd during a low fly-by. :ok:

"Tied together" flying, at least when practiced by the RAF in between wars displays, used ribbon AFAIK .

I can imagine a recoiling snapped bunjee doing some serious damage.

This clip shows that it was probably real rope though the point and strength of attachment is not clear...

I would have thought that even if the connection was only strong enough to ensure the rope does not fall off unintentionally, it could still lead to circumstances requiring at the very least, an undesired need of a change of underwear. Or what of the rope separating at a critical moment and being drawn into an adjacent prop!?


Not withstanding that they were brave men in those flying machines in those days back then...


Flying Display At Hawkinge - British Pathé

Somebody's going to claim that was all faked any time now

A brief history of tied-together flying: Tied-together aerobatics was pioneered at the 1930 Hendon Display by the Siskins of 43 (F) Squadron. Three flights of three aircraft, which all had their wingtips attached with lengths of rubber cords, performed a succession of loops with flights in line abreast and completed their display with a Prince of Wales Feathers at the top of a loop, thereby breaking the cords. Following their success at Hendon, three of the squadron's Siskins were sent to air meetings in Belgium and Holland in September to repeat the demonstrations.

Further demonstrations by squadron “Chain Gangs” included 25 (F) Squadron with its Furies in 1933/1934 and 19 (F) Squadron with its Gauntlets in 1936. Two years later, 87 (F) Squadron's Gladiators achieved international success when it represented the RAF at the French National Air Display, Villacoublay, in July 1938 with a display of “tied-together” formation aerobatics.

In May 1931, No.43 (F) Squadron at Tangmere became the first squadron to receive the Hawker Fury and went on to demonstrate the increased performance of their single-seat interceptor fighter at that year's Hendon Display. Together with 1(F) and 25 (F) Squadrons, the squadron gave displays of synchronised and tied-together aerobatics by three-man teams at numerous events, both at home and on the Continent. In 1934, No.1 (F) Squadron toured Canada and further represented the RAF at the Zurich International Air Meeting at Dubendorf in August 1937 Display.

Although demonstrations of linked flying were later carried out by the CFS Prentice team from South Cerney and various Tiger Moth teams from the Reserve Schools during the early post-war period, mention should be made of the Vampires of 16 Squadron at Gutersloh in 1950 who became the first jet team to complete an aerobatic routine with their wingtips attached by rubber bungees. On 28 April 1950, four Vampires flown by Sqn Ldr Lambert, Flt Lt Simpson, Flt Lt Wilson and Fg Off Shaw took off and completed several loops, rolls and stall turns with quadruple 'bungee' cords attached to the wingtips, before declaring the venture to be a success. The decision to perform with the Vampires "tied-together" would be a first for a jet formation team and was demonstrated to great effect in front of a large audience at the second BAFO display, held at Gutersloh on 21 June 1950.

Well thank you Mr.Vampire. The repository of PPrune knowledge is once more demonstrated even if while surreptitiously sinking its teeth into the jugular!

For those of you who have not seen the site and have a few hours spare time for surfing, www.britishpathe.com has a absolutely superb collection of historical clips about many subjects including aviation. Well worth a visit...

Seven CAP232 tied together :ooh:

Royal Moroccan Air Force Marche Verte.