British Military Aviation in 1929
1 March
The Observer Corps is transferred from War Office to Royal Air Force control,
under the command of Air Commodore E.A.D. Masterman.
The Observer Corps consists of volunteers, enrolled as special constables,
who are recruited to observe, identify and report hostile aircraft within
visual range. Following experience gained in the First World War, Observer
Corps personnel are to man posts sited at 5-mile intervals around the
United Kingdom. They are tasked with observing and reporting by telephone
the course and height of all aircraft seen or heard to group centres,
which in turn report to Royal Air Force Fighting Area Headquarters and
adjacent sector operations rooms.
30 January – 27 March
In response to raids by the Suhebi into the fertile Lahej region of Aden,
No.8 Squadron commence a punitive bombing campaign that aims to destroy
Suhebi crops and dwellings. The bombing is halted in March when the Suhebis
agreed to pay reparations.
Lady Maud Hoare, the wife of the Secretary of State for Air, Lieutenant Colonel
Sir Samuel
Hoare, lays the foundation stone of College Hall at RAF Cranwell.
April
Squadron Leader A.G. Jones-Williams and Flight Lieutenant N.H. Jenkins
fly in a Fairey Long Range Monoplane, non-stop between RAF Cranwell and
Karachi in India, a distance of 4,130 miles, in a time of 50 hours 48
minutes.
September
The Schneider Trophy competition is won for the second time by the Royal
Air Force (RAF). A Supermarine S6 of the Royal Air Force High Speed Flight,
piloted by Flight Lieutenant H.R.D. Waghorn take the trophy with an average
speed of 328mph.
7 September
Flying a Supermarine S6, Flight Lieutenant R.L.R. Atcherley of the Royal
Air Force High Speed Flight establishes a 100 kilometre closed-circuit
record of 331mph at Calshot.
12 September
A new world speed record of 357mph is established at Calshot by Squadron
Leader A.H. Orlebar of the Royal Air Force High Speed Flight, piloting
a Supermarine S6 seaplane.