The Brighton Boys with the Flying Corps eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 168 pages of information about The Brighton Boys with the Flying Corps.

The Brighton Boys with the Flying Corps eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 168 pages of information about The Brighton Boys with the Flying Corps.

“I guess so.  If they are all as good as the three I have already I can do with them.”

“Well, it’s rather irregular, the whole business.  But they began with us when we came here, and they are just the sort of stuff, as far as I can see, that we want in this game, so the sooner we push ’em along the better, I think.”

Thus it was settled.  The Brighton boys were one step further on their way to membership of an air squadron at the front, far off as the front seemed to them.  With Fat Benson in the stores and the other seven boys in the hangars, they felt themselves truly part and parcel of the airdrome.  This feeling of responsibility was aging them, too.  Already they looked years older, every one of them, than they had looked on that day in the previous spring when they had decided to study aeronautics in concert.

CHAPTER III

IN THE AIR

Bob Haines was the first of the Brighton boys to go up in an aeroplane.

It was due to no planning on his part.  It was not to please him that he was taken as a passenger.  One of the pilots was trying a machine new to him and came down complaining of its lack of stability on the turns.

“Any little puff that catches her sudden makes her wiggle herself in a way I have never seen another plane do.  I suppose these chasers have little habits of their own, but it would take my attention off what I was doing, to have her monkeying around that way.  What do you think it is?”

The instructor addressed was unable to answer.  “You have been up in her.  You know more than I do about her.”

“Perhaps a passenger would help her,” suggested another pilot.

“I don’t see how.”  The flier shook his head.  “Anyway, I would like to see how she climbs with two up.  From the little I tried her out, I think she is the fastest climber I have been in anywhere.  Come up for a bit, John.”

“Can’t,” said the pilot.  “About ten minutes ago the major sent word he wanted to see me at once.  If I don’t get a move on I will catch it.”  He started off in a hurry.

“Come on, Fanshaw,” said the pilot, turning to the instructor.

“Not me,” was the reply.  “I have a swat of work.  There is ballast for you, though, over there by the shed.”  Bob Haines was the ballast indicated.  He was putting the final touches on an aeroplane propellor to which he had administered a coat of varnish.

“What lot?” queried the pilot.

“Bunch of young fellows from about here.  Sort of volunteers.  Idea of the colonel’s, I think.  Nice lot of boys.  Young, but getting on fast.  I have seen one of them, a French boy, quite a bit lately, and if they are all as good at locating engine trouble as he is they will go far in this game before they are old men.  Ask the tall youngster.  He will be tickled to death.  I don’t suppose he has been up before, but he will be a good passenger.  Be careful and don’t scare him.  Don’t try any stunts.  Shall I sing out to him?”

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Project Gutenberg
The Brighton Boys with the Flying Corps from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.