The history of army flying began officially in 1878 when
the first gas filled, man carrying, tethered observation
balloons were purchased by the War Office.
Prior to the industrial revolution of the nineteenth century,
the armies faced each other on the field of battle, standing
and advancing in the open, towards an equally exposed enemy.
The infantry normally took centre stage with the cavalry
waiting to one side, preferably out of site, and the artillery
canons firing ball and grape-shot past the infantry, into
the ranks of the enemy. The commander positioned himself
on a suitable hill to observe and control as best he could,
particularly to try to spot the enemy reserves and what they
were up to. Soldiers on horseback called ‘Gallopers’ were
detailed to dash between the Commander, the sub-units and
other observation points, delivering orders and obtaining
the latest information for the next move to be decided. Without
up-to-date, accurate information, many mistakes were made,
the cavalry committed at the wrong time or at the wrong target
and many lives wasted..
Among the technical developments of the industrial revolution
was a much improved artillery field gun and more powerful
ammunition. This allowed the Commander to fire an artillery
barrage on the enemy reserves, to attempt to neutralise them
before they could be committed. However, for this barrage
to be effective it was necessary to see where it was falling
and to direct it onto the target. Sending artillery observers
out to a convenient viewing point to direct the gunfire was
slow and not very effective.
Man carrying balloons had been around since the latter half
of the eighteenth century and had been developed over many
years to become relatively effective observation platforms.
However, their use on the battlefield was considered too
cumbersome. Then, in the Confederate wars of America and
the Franco-Prussian war the balloons were used to great tactical
advantage and moves began to introduce them into the British
Army.
The most technical arm of the British Army at this time
was the Corps of Royal Engineers. They were given the responsibility
for operating the balloons and the first tethered observation
balloons were purchased, balloon school and balloon sections
established in 1878. During the next ten years the balloon
sections developed their techniques, a section was deployed
successfully on an army expedition to Bechuanaland and at
the close of the century, a number of sections operated with
great, even decisive effect in the Boar War. The use and
value of the balloon section as a war fighting support unit
was now well established.
However, as every child who has played with a toy balloon
will know, it is not very effective on a windy day. Developments
were being made with the shape of the envelope. By elongating
it to more of a sausage shape it became more aerodynamic
but it was still difficult to operate. The kite required
wind to get aloft but was very unstable, so experiments began,
to develop a man-carrying kite.
At this time a certain Mr Samual Franklin Cody, a horseman
and showman, was touring the UK with his very popular stage
and circus show. Being born in Texas in 1864 and poorly educated,
Cody joined the Cattle Drive at the age of eleven years and
his first job was to assist the Chinese cook on the Chuck-Wagon.
The Chinaman was an expert in kite flying and after watching
him make and fly various types of kite, Cody became fascinated
and learned the art himself.
At various venues around the country, whilst not performing,
Cody met up with other kite-flying enthusiasts and through
this he learned of the Army requirement to obtain a man-carrying
kite. Fired up by the idea, he developed some ideas and the
result was the procurement, by the Royal Engineers, of the
Cody War Kite. These worked most effectively and Cody was
taken on as the Army Kite Instructor.
In December 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first powered,
manned flight of an aeroplane and the race was on to develop
this type of machine. Cody obtained a French engine and attempted
to fit it to one of his kites, but this proved unsuccessful
and he started to build a copy of the Wright flyer.
Meanwhile,
back in 1901, the Germans had successfully flown their
first powered airship and there had been some work at Farnborough
to assemble a large, sausage shaped balloon, to make a British
version. Progress was slow but eventually Cody was enrolled
to the project and his engine was fitted in a boat-shaped
hull under the balloon. Nulli-Secondus, the first British
airship, flew from Farnborough to London and powered flight
in UK was born.
Cody continued to develop his aeroplane and became the first
man in UK to build and fly his own powered aeroplane. Wilbur
Wright was in France with a number of other enthusiasts,
Bleriot and Farman who was British, among them. A few officers
and other well-to-do gentlemen went to France, learned to
fly with them and purchased their own machines. By 1910 there
were a small number of aeroplanes owned and operated by army
officers and certain of these persuaded the War Office of
their importance as aerial platforms for observation and
reconnaissance.
A certain senior general stated words to
the effect that ‘the aeroplane would never be of use
in war’, but common sense prevailed and aeroplanes
were purchased. The training of army pilots began at Larkhill,
in fact the first hangars were approximately where the Stonehenge
visitors car park is now situated and the Bristol Aeroplane
Sheds are still hidden in the trees on the North side. Netheravon
was established as the first operational army airfield for
troops manoeuvring on Salisbury Plain and Upavon was opened
as The Central Flying School. The Balloon and Kite Sections
and Companies of the Royal Engineers were now joined by the
Aeroplanes and it was decided to create an Air Battalion.
Aviation was here to stay and on 13th May 1912 the Royal
Flying Corps (RFC) was born.
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Man carrying balloons had been around since the latter half
of the eighteenth century and had been developed over many
years to become relatively effective observation platforms.
However, their use on the battlefield was considered too
cumbersome. Then, in the Confederate wars of America and
the Franco-Prussian war the balloons were used to great tactical
advantage and moves began to introduce them into the British
Army.
At this time a certain Mr Samual Franklin Cody, a horseman
and showman, was touring the UK with his very popular stage
and circus show. Being born in Texas in 1864 and poorly educated,
Cody joined the Cattle Drive at the age of eleven years and
his first job was to assist the Chinese cook on the Chuck-Wagon.
The Chinaman was an expert in kite flying and after watching
him make and fly various types of kite, Cody became fascinated
and learned the art himself.
At various venues around the country, whilst not performing,
Cody met up with other kite-flying enthusiasts and through
this he learned of the Army requirement to obtain a man-carrying
kite. Fired up by the idea, he developed some ideas and the
result was the procurement, by the Royal Engineers, of the
Cody War Kite. These worked most effectively and Cody was
taken on as the Army Kite Instructor. 
Meanwhile,
back in 1901, the Germans had successfully flown their
first powered airship and there had been some work at Farnborough
to assemble a large, sausage shaped balloon, to make a British
version. Progress was slow but eventually Cody was enrolled
to the project and his engine was fitted in a boat-shaped
hull under the balloon. Nulli-Secondus, the first British
airship, flew from Farnborough to London and powered flight
in UK was born. 
A certain senior general stated words to
the effect that ‘the aeroplane would never be of use
in war’, but common sense prevailed and aeroplanes
were purchased. The training of army pilots began at Larkhill,
in fact the first hangars were approximately where the Stonehenge
visitors car park is now situated and the Bristol Aeroplane
Sheds are still hidden in the trees on the North side. Netheravon
was established as the first operational army airfield for
troops manoeuvring on Salisbury Plain and Upavon was opened
as The Central Flying School. The Balloon and Kite Sections
and Companies of the Royal Engineers were now joined by the
Aeroplanes and it was decided to create an Air Battalion.
Aviation was here to stay and on 13th May 1912 the Royal
Flying Corps (RFC) was born.
