The Beginnings of Army Flying

Army flying began officially in 1878 when the first gas-filled man-carrying tethered observation balloons were purchased by the War Office.

Before the industrial revolution of the nineteenth century, armies woud face each other on the battlefield, each standing and advancing in the open towards an equally exposed enemy. Infantry normally took centrestage, with cavalry waiting to one side, preferably out of sight. Artillery cannons would fire ball and grape-shot past the infantry, into the ranks of the enemy. The Commander positioned himself on a suitable hill to observe and control as best he could, particularly to try to spot the enemy reserves and what they were up to. Soldiers on horseback, called Gallopers, would dash between the Commander, sub-units and other observation points, delivering orders and obtaining the latest information for the next move to be decided. Without up to date accurate information, many mistakes were made and lives were wasted..

Among the technical developments of the industrial revolution was a much improved artillery field gun and more powerful ammunition. This allowed the Commander to fire an artillery barrage on the enemy reserves, to attempt to neutralise them before they could be committed. However, for this barrage to be effective it was necessary to see where it was falling and to direct it onto the target. Sending artillery observers out to a convenient viewing point to direct the gunfire was slow and not very effective.

Man-carrying balloons had been around since the end of the eighteenth century and had been developed over many years to become relatively effective observation platforms. However, their use on the battlefield was considered too cumbersome. Then, in the Confederate Wars of America and the Franco-Prussian War, the balloons were used to great tactical advantage. This resulted in their introduction to the British Army.

The most technical arm of the British Army at this time was the Corps of Royal Engineers, and they were given the responsibility for operating the balloons. The first tethered observation balloons were purchased, and the balloon school and sections opened, in 1878. During the next ten years, the balloon sections developed their techniques. A section was deployed successfully on an Army expedition to Bechuanaland and at the close of the century a number of sections operated with great, even decisive, effect in the Boer War. The use and value of the balloon section as a war fighting support unit was now well established.

However, as every child who has played with a toy balloon knows, they are not very effective on a windy day. So developments were made with the shape of the envelope - by elongating it into more of a sausage shape, it became more aerodynamic but it was still difficult to operate. The tethered kite alternative required wind to get aloft but it was very unstable. Experiments began to develop a man-carrying kite.

At this time a certain Mr Samual Franklin Cody, a horseman and showman, was touring the UK with his very popular stage and circus show. Born in Iowa in 1864 and poorly educated, Cody joined the Cattle Drive at the age of eleven and his first job was to assist the Chinese cook on the Chuck Wagon. The Chinaman was an expert in kite flying and after watching him make and fly various types of kite, Cody became fascinated and learned the art himself.

At various venues around the country, between performances of his shows, Cody met up with other kite-flying enthusiasts and through this he learned of the Army and Navy requirement to develop a man-carrying kite. Fired up by the idea, he experimented and created a man-carrying kite system which resulted in the procurement, by the Royal Engineers, of the Cody War Kite. These worked most effectively and Cody was taken on as the Army Kite Instructor.