45-437: The Supermarine Nighthawk or P.B.31E was a First World War British aircraft, designed by Noel Pemberton Billing and built at Woolston, Southampton after Pemberton Billing's company became Supermarine Aviation Works Ltd. The P.B.31E, as with its predecessor the P.B.29 "Battle Plane", was an anti- Zeppelin night fighter . It was operated by a crew of three to five, and was designed to fly for 9 to 18 hours. The prototype of
90-538: A Lewis gun was in an enclosed position above the third wing. The P.B.29E was delivered to the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) station at Chingford , Essex , where it underwent tests on 1 January 1916 and received a somewhat critical report. Shortly after the completion of the RNAS trials, the aircraft accidentally crashed at Chingford. After it was written off , the wreckage was returned to Woolston. The design of
135-507: A lieutenant . He was involved in the air raid on Zeppelin sheds near Lake Constance made in November 1914. He was able to sell his share in the aviation firm to Scott-Paine in early 1916, who renamed the firm Supermarine Aviation Works Limited after the company's telegraphic address. As a man of means, Billing contested the Mile End by-election in 1916 as an independent candidate , but
180-519: A quadruplane aircraft according to the recommendations of Air War: How To Wage It , which was designated as the P.B.29E. The quadruplane configuration was required, as the wing surface area needed to be large enough to lift the aeroplane to the same altitude of a Zeppelin. It had two cockpits (in front and behind the wings) that had dual controls, as well as a tailplane and three rudders . The two propellers were driven by 90- horsepower (67 kW ) Austro-Daimler engines . A crew member armed with
225-545: A Lidl supermarket (opened February 2019) with flats above. The ABC radial aero engines of the World War I period were extremely advanced for their time, and were initially thought to be very promising indeed. Unfortunately they were all more or less plagued by problems – and although a number of types for the Royal Air Force were designed around ABC engines (especially the ill-fated Dragonfly ) none saw squadron service with
270-564: A booklet. Billing emigrated to Australia after the First World War. It was in Australia that he patented a recording system intended to produce laterally-cut disc records with ten times the capacity of existing systems. Billing's "World Record Controller" fitted onto a standard spring-wound gramophone, using a progressive gearing system to initially slow the turntable speed from 78 rpm to 33 rpm and then gradually increase rotational speed of
315-460: A clear-view arc of fire above, in front and below. All the above requirements are within the capacity of any competent aeroplane designer. Pemberton Billing, who owned the small aircraft company based at Woolston, Southampton , was asked by the British government to design and build a slow aircraft capable of attacking an airborne Zeppelin. He responded to the government's request by personally designing
360-546: A duel by boxing in public for charity, but Archer-Shee declined. Following a disagreement over parliamentary procedure and with Billing refusing to sit down while "Germans are running about this country" Billing was ejected from the House of Commons and suspended as an MP on 1 July 1918. Because Billing refused to leave the chamber even after the House had voted to suspend him, and the Serjeant at Arms had then asked him to leave, he
405-408: A home defence fighter, the heavily armed and searchlight-equipped " Supermarine Nighthawk ", was built in prototype but had insufficient performance to be of any use against Zeppelins. In late 1916, Billing founded and edited a weekly journal, The Imperialist . The journal supported his parliamentary campaigns, also advocating equal voting rights for men and women and electoral reform . The journal
450-541: A new second chamber should be created, appointed from representatives of trades and professions. He also argued that there should be a separate "Women's parliament" dedicated to "domestic" matters. He stood in four by-elections, most notably in Hornsey in 1941 , but he was unable to win a seat in parliament at any of them. In 1903, Billing married Lilian Maud (died 1923), daughter of Theodore Henry Schweitzer, of Bristol ; they had no children. Billing died on 11 November 1948 at
495-423: A speed of 75 mph (121 km/h) and attained a landing speed of 35 mph (56 km/h). The Nighthawk's lack of power meant that it took an hour to attain an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,000 m). It finally became obsolete when it was found that Zeppelins could be destroyed using explosive bullets fired from a more lightly armed aircraft, which caused the oxygen-rich hydrogen bags to ignite. The Nighthawk
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#1732855827612540-567: The Royal Aircraft Factory and its products, raising the question in typically exaggerated terms once he entered parliament. His prejudice against the Factory and its products persisted, and was very influential. He called for air raids against German cities. In 1917, he published Air War and How to Wage it , which emphasised the future role of raids on cities and the need to develop protective measures. His own eccentric quadraplane design for
585-579: The telegraphic address Supermarine, Southampton for the company, which soon acquired premises at Oakbank Wharf in Woolston, Southampton , and started construction of his flying boat designs. Financial difficulties soon set in, but the onset of the First World War revived the fortunes of the business. In 1914, Billing joined the Royal Naval Air Service and in October was granted a temporary commission as
630-561: The Bolsheviks in Russia. After the war, he suffered increasingly from health problems, which contributed to his temporary retirement from politics in 1921. He dramatically resigned his seat in parliament, urging his constituents not to vote in the consequent by-election . However, he continued to remain active writing literary works and producing films. In 1927, Billing wrote a play, High Treason , inspired by Fritz Lang 's film Metropolis . It
675-694: The Brotherhood of Man". The journal's most famous articles were largely written by Spencer, but under Billing's name, in which it was claimed that the Germans were blackmailing "47,000 highly placed British perverts" to "propagate evils which all decent men thought had perished in Sodom and Lesbia ". The names were said to be inscribed in the "Berlin Black Book" of the Mbret of Albania . The contents of this book revealed that
720-538: The Century , claimed that the Maud Allan libel case was part of a plot by generals to stop Lloyd George from making an early peace with Germany. While air power was his main overarching concern Pemberton Billing's primary political campaign was for the establishment of a committee of nine Independent politicians who would watch over the government in the House of Commons. He was highly critical of party politics believing it
765-455: The First World War as a critic of the conduct of the war. He advocated the defeat of Germany by bombing alone, and the defence of Britain by a system of spaced light-beams directed upwards, which would confuse enemy bombers. Billing also proposed a post-war reform of the British constitution , arguing that general elections should be abolished in favour of a rolling programme of by-elections and that
810-474: The Germans planned on "exterminating the manhood of Britain" by luring men into homosexuality and paedophilia . "Even to loiter in the streets was not immune. Meretricious agents of the Kaiser were stationed at such places as Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner . In this black book of sin details were given of the unnatural defloration of children ... wives of men in supreme positions were entangled. In Lesbian ecstasy
855-490: The P.B.29E was thought by the RNAS to be good enough to be developed further and an order to construct two improved machines was given. The improved version of the P.B.29E was called the P.B.31E. Drawings of the new aircraft dating from July to November 1916 have the initials of Reginald Mitchell , who become its chief designer. Mitchell is best known for designing racing seaplanes such as the Supermarine S.6B and for leading
900-655: The P.B.31E flew in February 1917. It quickly became obsolete when it was found that Zeppelins could be more easily be destroyed by igniting their hydrogen bags using explosive bullets. Only a prototype aircraft was built. The Nighthawk was developed to counter the threat of bombing raids by German Zeppelins against the UK during the First World War. In 1916, the British Member of Parliament and aviator Noel Pemberton Billing published Air War: How To Wage It , which included promotion of
945-521: The RAF. ABC also made a large number of engines for electrical generators and other purposes – mostly with a flat twin cylinder layout and unusual exhaust-over-inlet valve configuration. These smaller ABC engine have the distinction of being possibly the first airborne APUs - the Coastal class blimp (first flown in 1916) had a 1.5-horsepower unit installed to provide electricity for the onboard wireless set, whilst
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#1732855827612990-497: The actress Maud Allan , then appearing in a private production of Salome organised by Ross, was a lesbian associate of the conspirators. This led to a sensational libel case, at which Billing represented himself and won. Lord Alfred Douglas , a former lover of Oscar Wilde, testified in Billing's favour, as did Billing's mistress Eileen Villiers-Stuart. Villiers-Stuart claimed to have seen the "Black Book" and even asserted in court that
1035-665: The age of 67, aboard his motor-yacht, Commodore , at The Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch , Essex. The novelist Pat Barker 's award-winning First World War trilogy – Regeneration , The Eye in the Door and The Ghost Road – was set against the backdrop of Billing's libel case, with several characters mentioning his ominous black book. The middle novel, in particular, deals with the psychiatric treatment of soldiers torn between patriotism and pacifism, and between homosexuality and heterosexuality. ABC Motors ABC Motors Limited ("All British (Engine) Company") of Hersham , Surrey , England
1080-457: The firm that became Supermarine and promoted air power , and held a strong antipathy towards the Royal Aircraft Factory and its products. He was noted during the First World War for his populist views and for a sensational libel trial. Noel Billing was born in Hampstead , North London , youngest son of Charles Eardley Billing, a Birmingham iron-founder, and Annie Emilia, née Claridge. He
1125-587: The form of a bunk. The Admiralty ordered two aircraft of the type but only number 1388 , was built. The Nighthawk (as it became known) first flew in February 1917, eight months after Pemberton Billing Ltd. had been sold to the airman and entrepreneur Hubert Scott-Paine and renamed the Supermarine Aviation Works Ltd. The aircraft was tested by the American test pilot Clifford B. Prodger. During trials at Eastchurch , Kent , Prodger managed to reach
1170-524: The instigation of a camarilla of International financiers". During the First World War, he was notable for his support of air power, constantly accusing the government of neglecting the issue and advocating the creation of a separate air force, unattached to either the British Army or the Royal Navy . During the so-called " Fokker scourge " of late 1915 and early 1916, he became particularly vocal against
1215-412: The judge, Charles Darling , was in the book. Billing's victory in this case created significant popular publicity. He later indicated he had never believed such a book existed, but that the whole matter had been "to frighten off those in prominent positions whose sexual tastes could have led to them being blackmailed by German agents". Michael Kettle in his book, Salome's Last Veil: The Libel Case of
1260-451: The most sacred secrets of the state were threatened." He publicly attacked Margot Asquith , the wife of the prime minister, hinting that she was caught up in this. He also targeted members of the circle around Robbie Ross , the literary executor of Oscar Wilde , who supported and introduced homosexual poets and writers. He published an article, "The Cult of the Clitoris", which implied that
1305-563: The name World Record (Australia) Limited. The plant was in Bay Street Brighton , a suburb of Melbourne , from where he produced his 78 rpm to 33 rpm discs. The plant was also the base for radio station 3PB , which he established in August 1925 for the purpose of broadcasting the company’s recordings. It was a limited "manufacturers' licence", a type which was only available during the first few years of wireless broadcasting in Australia. 3PB
1350-562: The obsolete acoustical process. In 1936, Billing designed the miniature LeCoultre Compass camera. In 1948, he devised the "Phantom" camera to be used by spies. It never entered production, but its rarity led one to sell for £120,000, a record price for any camera, in 2001. Shortly before the Second World War , Billing claimed to have invented an uncrewed flying bomb , but the design was not pursued. In 1941, Billing attempted to return to politics, seeking to replicate his success during
1395-669: The potential of powered aviation, he founded a flying field with extensive facilities on reclaimed marshland at Fambridge in Essex in 1909, but this ambitious venture did not prosper, British aviation activity becoming centred at Brooklands . In 1913, he bet Frederick Handley Page that he could earn his pilot's licence within 24 hours of first sitting in an aircraft. He won his bet, gaining licence number 683 and £500, equivalent to more than £28,000 in 2010, which he used to found an aircraft business, Pemberton-Billing Ltd, with Hubert Scott-Paine as works manager, in 1913. Billing registered
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1440-422: The record as it played, so that the linear speed at which the recorded groove passed the needle remained constant. That allowed over ten minutes playing time per 12-inch side of the records, but the high cost of the long-playing discs (10 shillings apiece), the fact that the speed varied, and the complexity of the playback attachment, prevented popular acceptance. In 1923, Billing set up a disc recording plant under
1485-506: The team that designed the Supermarine Spitfire . The P.B.31E incorporated the quadraplane wings and tailplane of its predecessor. It was powered by two 100 hp (75 kW) Anzani 9- cylinder radial engines. It was designed for long-lasting flights, with patrols occurring at low speeds whilst a Zeppelin was being hunted. It had a trainable nose-mounted searchlight to detect enemy aircraft. A 1½-pounder (37 mm) Davis gun
1530-456: The use of aircraft as a defensive measure against Zeppelins. He wrote: [Each machine must].. also carry a searchlight driven independently of the engines. It must have at least a speed of 80 m.p.h. [130km/h] to overtake airships... It must be able to carry fuel for 12hr cruising at low speed to enable it to chase an airship to the coast. It must be able to climb to 10,000ft in not more than 20min... The engines must be silenced. The pilots must have
1575-596: Was a "disease" which made all governments "corrupt". The name was explicitly in reference to the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance . He then created a Vigilance Society to stand in the elections. The society was disbanded in 1919 as Billing became disillusioned with Spencer, Beamish and Clarke. Following the Russian Revolution , Billing began to express strong anti-communist viewpoints, and, in 1919, he supported British military intervention against
1620-493: Was a manufacturer of cars, aircraft, motor scooters, and engines for road and air. Established by Ronald Charteris in Hersham, Surrey in 1912, its chief designer was the young and talented Granville Bradshaw . It was absorbed into Vickers in 1951 and the factory finally closed in the 1970s. Last occupied by Ian Allan Publishing as Hersham's Riverdene Industrial Estate, the factory was demolished around 2017-2018 and redeveloped as
1665-581: Was a sci-fi drama about pacifism set in a future 1940 (later changed to 1950), when a "United States of Europe" comes into conflict with the "Empire of the Atlantic States". In 1929, Maurice Elvey made a film of the play, using the same title . It was released in two versions, one silent and the other an early "talkie", but neither proved successful. He stood again for Hertford in the 1929 general election , coming second. In 1938, he registered his protest against Neville Chamberlain 's Munich Agreement in
1710-576: Was at the Relief of Ladysmith , but was later invalided out. Billing returned to Britain in 1903 and used his savings to open a garage in Kingston upon Thames . This was successful, but he became more interested in aviation, which was then in its infancy . An attempt to open an aerodrome in Essex failed, so he started a short-lived career in property, while studying to become a lawyer. He passed his exams, but instead moved into selling steam yachts . Convinced of
1755-582: Was automatically suspended for the rest of that parliamentary session , rather than the usual five days. At the 1918 general election , he was one of the few candidates to beat a Coalition Coupon candidate and he doubled his majority. He resigned his seat in 1921 by accepting the Stewardship of the Manor of Northstead , citing that the House of Commons had been rendered "unwholesome and unfair" by Lloyd George "at
1800-480: Was educated at the high school at Hampstead, at Cumming's College, outside Boulogne , at Westcliff College, Ramsgate , and at Craven College, Highgate . Billing ran away from home at the age of 13 and travelled to South Africa. After trying a number of occupations, he joined the mounted police and became a boxer. He was also an actor when he took the extra name Pemberton. He fought in the Second Boer War , and
1845-425: Was mounted above the top wing with 20 shells and it carried two .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis guns. Power for the searchlight was provided by an independent petrol engine -driven generator made by ABC Motors , possibly the first instance of a recognisable airborne auxiliary power unit . The comfort of the crew was considered in the design; the cockpit was enclosed and heated and sleeping quarters were provided in
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1890-723: Was not successful. He then contested and won the March 1916 by-election in Hertford . In parliament, Billing consistently advocated the creation of an air force, retaliation against German air raids , that action be taken against war profiteering and that action be taken to lessen the influence of Germans in Britain. In asking awkward questions of the government he was usually supported by Arthur Lynch . In 1917, after an altercation in parliament, Noel Pemberton Billing offered Martin Archer-Shee MP
1935-591: Was only on the air for four months. The first recording made by World Record (Australia) was released in July 1925, and featured Bert Ralton’s Havana Band, then performing at the Esplanade Hotel in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda . A further musical invention, the "Duophone" unbreakable record, appeared in 1925, but was discontinued in 1930 as its material rapidly wore out needles and most Duophone recordings were made by
1980-718: Was renamed Vigilante in 1918 to reflect his campaign for a Vigilance Committee. In 1918, Captain Harold Sherwood Spencer became assistant editor and the journal was increasingly left in Spencer's hands. John Henry Clarke and Henry Hamilton Beamish began to write for Vigilante , and promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories , claiming "the British war effort was being undermined by the "hidden hand" of German sympathisers and German Jews operating in Britain". The journal included attacks on "Jews, German music, Pacifism , Fabianism , Aliens , Financiers, Internationalism , and
2025-529: Was scrapped in July 1917. One of the aircraft's propellers is preserved at Solent Sky , an aviation museum in Southampton. Data from The British Fighter since 1912 General characteristics Performance Armament Noel Pemberton Billing Noel Pemberton Billing (31 January 1881 – 11 November 1948), sometimes known as Noel Pemberton-Billing , was a British aviator, inventor, publisher and Member of Parliament for Hertford . He founded
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