Air Observation Post Officer c1941

Peter Hicks Ltd > Statuettes > Army > Royal Regiment of Artillery > Air Observation Post Officer c1941

Air Observation Post Officer c1941 Ref: 524

The Origins. In the late thirties Captain HC Bazeley RA, an enthusiastic amateur pilot and Secretary of the Royal Artillery Flying Club, advanced the idea that artillery could be best directed from the air by artillery officers trained as pilots, rather than by RAF pilots flying aircraft which had other combat roles besides observing for the guns. They would fly simple, unarmed light aircraft, depending for survival on being agile and inconspicuous and by flying, as far as possible, over areas held by friendly forces, but using height and freedom of movement to look into areas not visible to ground observers.

Bazeley’s ideas gained the support of Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) JH Parham and Brigadier HRS Massey, two other like minded members of the Flying Club. In 1939 Massey was Brigadier Royal Artillery Southern Command and was able to add weight to the Army’s case for the ‘Flying OP’ as it was called, in the face of some scepticism and opposition from the Air Ministry.

After tentative trials in 1938-1939 a flight was established for the purpose in 1940 (D Flight RAF). Bazeley, who had already been seconded to the RAF as an Army Co-operation pilot, was given command.

The figure has also been used by the Army Air Corps (AAC). Picture show Electroform Hallmarked Silver on Square base. See Sterling silver option

Price for Bronze Resin: £81.60 (Including VAT at 20%)

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Peter Hicks Ltd > Statuettes > Army > Royal Regiment of Artillery > Air Observation Post Officer c1941

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