I've discovered that No.1 Squadron AFC operated a single Handley Page 0/400 bomber from September 1918 to the end of the campaign in Palestine. I'd like to feature it in a fictional action and have some ideas for a potential scenario, with it used as in the transport role with an escort of a couple of Brisfits.
According to Aeropedia:
"Although used for bombing operations by No 1 Squadron AFC, it seems after arriving in Heliopolis, in Egypt, as well as attacking Turkish means of communications between the Turkish Headquarters and the 7th and 8th Armies, one of the principal tasks of C9681 in the Middle East was to transport supplies to the advanced airstrip at Azrak in Jordan to assist Lawrence of Arabia in his activities, these including fuel, oil and spare parts for the Bristol Fighters operating in the area. It seems a number of flights were made carrying supplies'
A bit different and hopefully good fun.
Lawrence does mention it in Seven Pillars, where the Arab tribesmen called it the Mother of Airplanes. It's kind of odd to think that in a matter of a few decades there would be aircraft capable of dropping bomb weights equivalent to and exceeding that of a whole Vickers Vimy.
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