“One of the first gun-carrying aircraft” (BRDW 1/2/51)

Photograph of WSC [as First Lord of the Admiralty], in dark naval coat and peaked cap, in the centre of the image, stepping away from a Short Type S.38 Biplane, No. 66, fitted with a maxim gun, during a visit to the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps at Eastchurch, Kent. Two groups of other men on either side stand looking at the aircraft, including on the far right, with a beard, Commander Charles Samson [commanding officer of the Eastchurch flying school], who is captioned as being one of the first four naval officers to fly.

29 Nov 1913