Norman Spratt
Encyclopedia
Norman Spratt, a native of Durban, Natal, was an officer of the Royal Flying Corps
during the First World War who was involved in much aircraft testing at the Royal Aircraft Establishment
, Farnborough
, United Kingdom. He later served as a group captain in the Royal Air Force
. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire
in 1925.
On 7 December 1913, Spratt, as factory test pilot, crashed Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2a, 235, at the Farnborough
Aerodrome, pilot surviving.
In 1914, Spratt set a new airspeed record in a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.4
, at 134.5 mph, bringing the speed title to the U.K. for the first time.
On 14 May 1914, Norman Spratt set a British altitude record of 18,900 ft. while flying one of two Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.5
reconnaissance designs, the fifth and sixth machines, which were produced as single-seat 'height machines', with long strut-braced extensions on the upper wing, which gave it a span of 57ft 2.39in.
On 12 August 1914, the sole Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.4
, 628
, crashlanded at 1145 hrs. while being flown by Lt. Spratt when one of the wheels collapsed, airframe overturning, sustaining such extensive damage that it was abandoned.
The first dog-fight is believed to have taken place on 28 August 1914, when Spratt, flying a Sopwith Tabloid
, forced down a German Albatros C.I
two-seater. This was an amazing achievement as his Sopwith was not armed.
The prototype Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3
was first test flown by Spratt in 1915.
Spratt served as a Group Captain during World War II, but died from ill-health in 1944.
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
during the First World War who was involved in much aircraft testing at the Royal Aircraft Establishment
Royal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
, Farnborough
Farnborough Airfield
Farnborough Airport or TAG London Farnborough Airport is an airport situated in Farnborough, Rushmoor, Hampshire, England...
, United Kingdom. He later served as a group captain in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1925.
On 7 December 1913, Spratt, as factory test pilot, crashed Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2a, 235, at the Farnborough
Farnborough Airfield
Farnborough Airport or TAG London Farnborough Airport is an airport situated in Farnborough, Rushmoor, Hampshire, England...
Aerodrome, pilot surviving.
In 1914, Spratt set a new airspeed record in a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.4
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.4
|-See also:-References:*Bruce, J.M. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. London:Putnam, 1957.*Bruce, J.M. War Planes of the First World War: Volume Two Fighters. London:Macdonald, 1968, ISBN 0 356 01473 8....
, at 134.5 mph, bringing the speed title to the U.K. for the first time.
On 14 May 1914, Norman Spratt set a British altitude record of 18,900 ft. while flying one of two Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.5
Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.5
|-See also:...
reconnaissance designs, the fifth and sixth machines, which were produced as single-seat 'height machines', with long strut-braced extensions on the upper wing, which gave it a span of 57ft 2.39in.
On 12 August 1914, the sole Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.4
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.4
|-See also:-References:*Bruce, J.M. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. London:Putnam, 1957.*Bruce, J.M. War Planes of the First World War: Volume Two Fighters. London:Macdonald, 1968, ISBN 0 356 01473 8....
, 628
United Kingdom military aircraft serials
In the United Kingdom to identify individual aircraft, all military aircraft are allocated and display a unique serial number. A unified serial number system, maintained by the Air Ministry , and its successor the Ministry of Defence , is used for aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force , Fleet...
, crashlanded at 1145 hrs. while being flown by Lt. Spratt when one of the wheels collapsed, airframe overturning, sustaining such extensive damage that it was abandoned.
The first dog-fight is believed to have taken place on 28 August 1914, when Spratt, flying a Sopwith Tabloid
Sopwith Tabloid
|-See also:-References:* Bruce, J.M. "". Flight. 8 November 1957. pp. 733–736.* Bruce, J.M. "". Flight. 15 November 1957. pp. 765–766.* Bruce, J.M. "". Flight. 29 November 1957. pp. 845–848....
, forced down a German Albatros C.I
Albatros C.I
|-See also:-Further Reading:*Cowin, H.W. German and Austrian Aviation of World War I. Osprey Publishing Ltd, 2000 ISBN 1-84176-069-2*van Wyngarden, G . Early German Aces of World War I, Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84176-997-5...
two-seater. This was an amazing achievement as his Sopwith was not armed.
The prototype Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3
Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3
-See also:...
was first test flown by Spratt in 1915.
Spratt served as a Group Captain during World War II, but died from ill-health in 1944.