大象传媒

The unexpected.

A Very Pistol is a signalling pistol which was used for many situations ,when fired it sent a burning coloured wad similar
to a 'roman candle' several hundred feet. One situation could be to identify your aircraft to Airfield
Control when returning to base or to attract their attention should your normal method not be available due to enemy action or
some other hazard. The shells could produce various combinations of colours. This meant that different colours could be used
for identification. at different times or days. The basic colours were Red for for example 'don't land'.or Green for 'can land',should you ask for permission to land by some means or other.

When on operations or training flights the F/E was issued with
shells with the 'colours of the day'. The unused ones were returned to the issuing stores,after the flight.
One of the after flight duties of the F/E was to unload the Very Pistol and do this.Changing the'colours 'each day was security
a security measure to prevent un-authorized signals being used.

The Very Pistol was stored in a holster on the starboard side of the aircraft near the F/E's positon in my case. As soon as the aircraft had taken off
and was on course it was the practice to install the pistol in its operating position in the roof with barrel pointing through an aperture It would then
easy to quickly load the pistol if necessary.

On this particular day I had only several hours flying training but was now a fully trained F/E just needing the experience which could only be
gained 'in time'.

After we had leveled off and set course and the Skipper relieved me of my 'second pilot' duties required for 'take off'.
I returned to my position just behind he Skipper whereupon I removed the Very Pistol from its holster to install it into its operating position.
The Pistol immediately discharged and fired a round of its flaming contents directly into the front of the aircraft whereupon it set light to the blackout
curtains which enclosed the Navigaters position.He tried to beat out the flames with his hands at the same time beating a retreat to the rear of the aicraft, followed by the Bombaimer
who had been setting up his instruments.The interior of the aircraft was engulfed in thick white smoke. I grabbed the fire extingusher situated under the pilots seat
next to where I was standing and went towards the flames which were fortunately soon extingushed . For few minutes the Skipper kept control of the aircraft and was in effect flying in the dark
engulfed in white smoke. Windows were opened and the smoke dispersed. The Navigater and Bombaimer nursed their burnt hands
A request was made for our return to base which we did safely..

The subsequent enquiry established the the Very Pistol had not been unloaded after the previous trip this was confirmed by the shell being the colours of a previous day. Thus causing
an unexpected hazard which fortunately had no lasting effects.

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