Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Royal Naval Air Service Ev…

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Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Royal Naval Air Service Evolution of the Aircraft Carrier

AssociatedAssociated with Lord Mountbatten of Burma (Frogmore House, Windsor, England, 1900 - 1979)

Medallist John Pinches, Medallists

DateMay 2004

Object NameMedal

MediumSterling Silver

ClassificationsMedals

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS072500.82

Keywords

Commemorative

About MeThe outbreak of the First World War there were two distinct air services, the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps for the Army. The former operated airships and seaplanes, though the Admiralty showed little interest in either because of their limited range. There were, however, junior enthusiasts who foresaw the future of air power, in spite of the failure of the first air raid on Cuxhaven in December 1914.

Chief among these was Lieutenant C.R. Samson, who made his name in the Dardanelles operation. In 1912 he flew a Short biplane from a platform built on the forecastle of the battleship Africa and later from the Hibernia. A tanker, the Hermes, was converted to accommodate three seaplanes, but she was torpedoed in October 1914. There was also a converted cargo steamer renamed Ark Royal, together with three cross-channel steamers, of which only the Engadine saw active service at Jutland.

All these ships had flying-off platforms on their deeks, but no seaplane could land on them. Various forms of arresting gear proved ineffective for aeroplanes. However, on 3rd August, 1917, Commander E.H. Dunning, flying a Sopwith 'Pup' fighter, made the first successful landing on the deck of the Furious. She was a light battle cruiser with gun turrets fore and aft. The forward turret was removed to construct a flying deck 228 feet long. Dunning landed on this, but five days later he lost his life when his plane went over the side.

The necessity for a flight deck uninterrupted by funnels or bridge superstructure was obvious. This was first constructed on an ex-Italian liner renamed Argus (14,450 tons), providing a deck 550 feet long, but she was not commissioned until after the war was over. Only then was it possible to fly on as well as off in safety.

Although Lord Fisher had predicted that 'aviation will surely supplant cruisers' for reconnaissance, it was not until pilots of the RNAS (Royal Naval Air Service) had engaged Zeppelins and destroyed two airship sheds at Tondern in 1918 that the potential value of aircraft at sea began to be appreciated. Earlier that year, however, the Admiralty had lost control of its air service when the RNAS was amalgamated with the Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force.

The Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea, John Pinches Medallists Ltd.