Lawrence Coombes (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Captain Lawrence Percival Coombes began his career as a World War I flying ace
credited with 15 aerial victories.
He joined the Royal Naval Air Service
in July 1917. He was posted originally to No. 12 Squadron RNAS, but was transferred into No. 10 Squadron RNAS a couple of weeks later. He scored his first kill on 24 March 1918, setting an Albatros D.V
aflame with machine gun fire from his Sopwith Camel
. He scored steadily through 31 July 1918. On 3 August, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Also in August, he was rotated back to England to serve as an instructor in No. 204 Squadron for the remainder of the war.
After his discharge in March 1919, Coombes was a barnstormer for the summer. He then returned to school and earned an engineering degree. Employment with the Royal Aircraft Establishment
followed. He served as a technical advisor for 1927's Schneider Trophy
Team.
In 1938, he moved to Australia; he established the Aero Research Laboratory in Melbourne. In 1960, under the auspices of the United Nations, Coombes was instrumental in India's establishment of its aeronautical research labs.
Lt. (T./Capt.) Lawrence Percival Coombes.
This officer displays conspicuous bravery and skill in attacking enemy aeroplanes. During the last three months he has accounted for five.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with 15 aerial victories.
He joined the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
in July 1917. He was posted originally to No. 12 Squadron RNAS, but was transferred into No. 10 Squadron RNAS a couple of weeks later. He scored his first kill on 24 March 1918, setting an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
aflame with machine gun fire from his Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
. He scored steadily through 31 July 1918. On 3 August, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Also in August, he was rotated back to England to serve as an instructor in No. 204 Squadron for the remainder of the war.
After his discharge in March 1919, Coombes was a barnstormer for the summer. He then returned to school and earned an engineering degree. Employment with 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...
followed. He served as a technical advisor for 1927's Schneider Trophy
Schneider Trophy
The Coupe d'Aviation Maritime Jacques Schneider was a prize competition for seaplanes. Announced by Jacques Schneider, a financier, balloonist and aircraft enthusiast, in 1911, it offered a prize of roughly £1,000. The race was held eleven times between 1913 and 1931...
Team.
In 1938, he moved to Australia; he established the Aero Research Laboratory in Melbourne. In 1960, under the auspices of the United Nations, Coombes was instrumental in India's establishment of its aeronautical research labs.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)Lt. (T./Capt.) Lawrence Percival Coombes.
This officer displays conspicuous bravery and skill in attacking enemy aeroplanes. During the last three months he has accounted for five.