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Biggles of the RFC Trivia Quiz

Captain W.E.Johns' ace pilot first took to the air during World War One. All these questions are about those early stories. Will they shoot you down ?

A multiple-choice quiz by Philian. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Philian

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
128,590

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
10 / 15

Plays
263

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. What is the name of the commander of Squadron 169 which is Biggles' first aquadron in France? Hint

Major Mullen

Major Paynter

Major Williams

Major MacLaren

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Question 2 of 15

2. Biggles' first observer and gunner is called Mark Way. From which country in the British Empire did he come? Hint

New Zealand

Canada

Australia

India

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Question 3 of 15

3. Where is 266 squadron stationed both in "Biggles Learns to Fly" and other later stories? Hint

Maranique

Amiens

St. Omer

Rouen

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Question 4 of 15

4. At what time of day did Biggles decide to make the flight when he and Mark would photograph the railway sidings at Vanfleur? This story is in "Biggles Learns to Fly". Hint

In the afternoon

Just before dusk

In the early morning

During the night

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Question 5 of 15

5. What does Biggles decide to do about his week's leave after he shoots down von Kraudil? Hint

He will take it and go and see Marie.

He will reject it and go on looking for more German planes.

He will take it and go and see the injured Mark Way.

He will take it and go and visit his brother Charles.

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Question 6 of 15

6. In "The Rescue Flight" what is the plan that Fortymore comes up with that will assist in the war against the Germans? Hint

A plan for getting ordinary Sopwith Camels to fly higher.

A plan for recovering escaping British officers from behind German lines.

A plan for a new way to direct artillery bombardments.

A plan for a new way to bomb enemy aerodromes.

7. In "Biggles of 266" Biggles does several things to his Sopwith Camel in order to get it to fly higher in pursuit of the German plane with the camera. Which of the following does he NOT do? Hint

He gets the mechanic to fit a brand new engine.

He makes sure he has just the minimum of petrol.

He gets the mechanic to fit wing extensions.

He cuts back his ammunition belts to just fifty bullets.

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Question 8 of 15

8. In "Biggles of 266" what is the prize that Colonel Raymond offers to the pilot and squadron that drops the propaganda leaflets the furthest east over enemy territory? Hint

A new gramophone for the squadron's mess.

A week's leave in Paris

Twelve bottles of lemonade.

A weekend pass in Paris.

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Question 9 of 15

9. In "Biggles of 266" how does Algy divert Wilkinson when Biggles wants him out of the way? Hint

He takes him to the aerodrome garden to see his flowers.

He dodges in and out of the clouds.

He points his Sopwith Camel towards the sea.

He takes him into Amiens in search of some humbugs.

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Question 10 of 15

10. In "Biggles of the Camel Squadron" what is the nickname that the other pilots give to Henry Watkins? Hint

The Boob

The Piano Player

The Genius

The Professor

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Question 11 of 15

11. In "Biggles of the Camel Squadron" how does Henry think they can distract the gunners protecting the three balloons at Duneville? Hint

By launching a new balloon of their own.

By throwing empty bottles out of their aeroplanes.

By painting their machines the same colour as the Germans'.

By him drawing fire while the others attack.

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Question 12 of 15

12. What is the pet that is kept by Henry Harcourt, the pilot whom everyone suspects of being a coward? Hint

a dog

a cat

a duck

a goldfish

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Question 13 of 15

13. In "Biggles Flies East" who is the head of German Intelligence at Zabala aerodrome? Hint

Manfred von Zoyton

Erich von Stalhein

Lothars von Kraudil

Count von Faubourg

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Question 14 of 15

14. In "Biggles Flies East" what is the name of the German pilot that Biggles refuses to leave stranded in the desert? Hint

Mayer

Schultz

Lindt

Hess

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Question 15 of 15

15. In what way does Biggles first meet Marie Janis, the only love of his life? Hint

His engine fails and he makes an emergency landing near her home.

He meets her when he parachutes behind the enemy lines.

He is introduced to her at a squadron dance.

He meets her in Paris on weekend leave from the squadron.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the name of the commander of Squadron 169 which is Biggles' first aquadron in France?

Answer: Major Paynter

Biggles starts his first combat missions in F.E.'s and his exploits are described in "Biggles Learns to Fly"? Major Mullen is his commander in 266 squadron which he transfers to later in the war.

2. Biggles' first observer and gunner is called Mark Way. From which country in the British Empire did he come?

Answer: New Zealand

Mark has been in the R.F.C. for three months but he is already very experienced in air-fighting. It is thanks to him that Biggles makes such a good start as a combat pilot.

3. Where is 266 squadron stationed both in "Biggles Learns to Fly" and other later stories?

Answer: Maranique

After his posting to Major Mullen's squadron Biggles is given 1 week to familiarise himself with the area around his new airfield. This was really a luxury as the rate of attrition in the R.F.C. was so high that new pilots were constantly needed.

4. At what time of day did Biggles decide to make the flight when he and Mark would photograph the railway sidings at Vanfleur? This story is in "Biggles Learns to Fly".

Answer: In the afternoon

Biggles chose the afternoon because he knew that the Germans would be used to the routine of morning flights and would not expect one in the middle of the afternoon. Dusk and darkness are no use for photographs. It is a perfect example of Biggles' original thinking about things which other pilots treat as routine.

5. What does Biggles decide to do about his week's leave after he shoots down von Kraudil?

Answer: He will take it and go and see the injured Mark Way.

Von Kraudil is the man who deliberately shot up Mapleton's plane after he had landed. He killed Mapleton and caused Mark Way to lose a hand. Biggles sets out to get von Kraudil in revenge.

6. In "The Rescue Flight" what is the plan that Fortymore comes up with that will assist in the war against the Germans?

Answer: A plan for recovering escaping British officers from behind German lines.

Fortymore has himself been rescued by his younger brother and Biggles. With a few amendments Higher Command decide to adopt the idea of flying out key members of the British forces who have been captured and then made their escape from German prison camps.

7. In "Biggles of 266" Biggles does several things to his Sopwith Camel in order to get it to fly higher in pursuit of the German plane with the camera. Which of the following does he NOT do?

Answer: He gets the mechanic to fit a brand new engine.

The mechanic is encouraged to get extra power out of the existing engine but not to fit a new one. All his plans work but unfortunately in shooting down the aircraft he also puts a bullet through the special lens on the unique camera.

8. In "Biggles of 266" what is the prize that Colonel Raymond offers to the pilot and squadron that drops the propaganda leaflets the furthest east over enemy territory?

Answer: A new gramophone for the squadron's mess.

Biggles joins up with Algy to win the competition. Eventually he succeeds in dropping the leaflets on Brussels whilst the best that Wilks (Wilkinson) could achieve was the town of Mons.

9. In "Biggles of 266" how does Algy divert Wilkinson when Biggles wants him out of the way?

Answer: He takes him into Amiens in search of some humbugs.

This is one of the more light-hearted stories in the collection and shows both the intense rivalry and the deep companionship that existed between the different pilots and squadrons.

10. In "Biggles of the Camel Squadron" what is the nickname that the other pilots give to Henry Watkins?

Answer: The Professor

At first Henry believes that you can reduce combat flying to basic mathematics. Later he realises that in the heat of conflict you simply haven't got time to work things out. However he comes up with many ingenious schemes - some of which work well.

11. In "Biggles of the Camel Squadron" how does Henry think they can distract the gunners protecting the three balloons at Duneville?

Answer: By throwing empty bottles out of their aeroplanes.

According to Captain W.E. Johns the sound of a falling empty bottle is equivalent to a banshee screeching. The more bottles they dump from their machines the louder will be the noise.

12. What is the pet that is kept by Henry Harcourt, the pilot whom everyone suspects of being a coward?

Answer: a goldfish

In "Biggles of the Camel Squadron" Henry gets fighting mad when a German bomber kills his goldfish. He loses his cowardice and takes his revenge. Captain W.E.Johns repeats this story in the World War Two book "Spitfire Parade" where the pilot is still called Henry Harcourt but the pet has changed to a pig called Annie that actually survives.

13. In "Biggles Flies East" who is the head of German Intelligence at Zabala aerodrome?

Answer: Erich von Stalhein

Count von Faubourg is in fact the commander of the aerodrome and rather foolishly brushes aside von Stalhein's suspicions of Biggles. This is the first time we meet the German officer who is to dominate many of the stories in the "Biggles" series.

14. In "Biggles Flies East" what is the name of the German pilot that Biggles refuses to leave stranded in the desert?

Answer: Mayer

This is a clear example of Biggles' appeal to people of all nations. Humanity means much more to him than any hatred for the enemy. All his instincts are to help a man in distress no matter which nation he belongs to.

15. In what way does Biggles first meet Marie Janis, the only love of his life?

Answer: His engine fails and he makes an emergency landing near her home.

In "The Camels Are Coming" (also retitled as "Biggles Pioneer Air Fighter") Biggles falls disastrously in love with Marie who proves to be a spy for the Germans. The love affair is doomed and Biggles becomes even less inclined to look after himself during the air combats that take place as the war nears its end.

Source: Author Philian

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor minch before going online.
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