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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0161.PDF
MARCH 20, 1909. much depends on their forethought in matters relating to flight; similarily with the Short Brothers, who, because they wished to show that they could satisfy these •scrupulous Americans before they talked about it, sought to keep their work behind the scenes. Presently, when the first flyer is finished, there will be trials on the Aero •Club's private ground at Shellbeach, where, perhaps, Wright himself may one day show us " how it's done." Messrs. Charles Jarrott and Letts and the Wright , Flyer. ALL who know the useful and energetic work which Mr. W. M. Letts has, with Mr. Charles Jarrott, put into the automobile movement during the number of years that they have been associated with it, will learn with interest and pleasure that they have already closely associated themselves with the new flight industry by acquiring a concession from the Societe Astra in France, whereby they have the sole right of disposing in Great Britain and the Colonies of Wright flyers which are built dn France. The first delivery will consist of four machines, and no others can be received before October. The first pair of these will probably arrive in May, and on one of them an option has been acquired by an Australian ; the other will be offered to the Government. The third machine is expected to arrive in June and will be used for private experiments, and the fourth machine, expected in July, is still open for sale at a price of about £1,400, -which will include a guarantee that the machine will fly for 20 minutes. How amusing it will seem years hence to look back and read of a twenty minutes' guarantee of a flying machine ! Yet in the old days we knew of cars which could hardly have justified a better contract when taken out for trial on one of their bad days. Cowes a Port of Call. IT appears that the Havre Aero Club have been in further communication with the Cowes District Council •with a view to establishing facilities for the landing and repair of flying machines in the Isle of Wight; to this the Council have now replied that they will be pleased to render such assistance as they can. •Cross-Channel Landing Ground at Rye. BETWEEN Dungeness and Hastings there is a coast line giving an open stretch of sand in the vicinity of Rye, -which, it has been suggested, would form a very suitable place for aeroplanes to land when reaching this country from abroad. We trust that aviators in general, and invading armies in particular, will observe the courtesy of alighting on the spot thus selected for their reception. It is said that an aeroplane station is to be constructed at Camber, near Rye. Brescia Circuit. / .• ; : :,'^ ; ;;•%;• - " AN aerodrome has been acquired by the Mayor of Brescia whereon sheds will be erected for the benefit of those aviators who take part in the Brescia circuit. r; .Ligue Nationale Dinner. FIVE hundred members and friends attended the first official dinner held by the Ligue Nationale Aerienne, under the Chairmanship of M. Paul Doumer, at the Hotel Continental last week. L.N.—Rennes Section. ANOTHER new section of the Ligue Nationale Aerienne has been founded, this last having its head- •quarters at Rennes, under the presidency of M. Laurent. Society of Encouragement. AMONG the new members elected to the General Committee of the French Society of Encouragement of flying are Prince Leon Radziwill, Henry Desgrange, Michel Clemenceau, and Jacques Vernes. The Marquis de Roquefeuil has been elected a life member. Aeroplane Factories in America. IT is reported that a factory capable of turning out a hundred aeroplanes yearly is being established at Hammondsport, N.Y., where the first experiments with the " Silver Dart" were made. It is said that the head of the concern is Mr. C. F. Bishop, President of the Aero Club of America. The Napier Automobile Co. of America are also con- templating the construction of airships and aeroplanes at their factory at Boston, Mass. It is estimated that the dirigibles will cost from ,£1,600 to ,£7,000, according to size. Aviation in Texas. IF Texas does not become a centre of aviation during the summer it will hardly be the fault of Mr. E. H. R. Green, president of the Texas Midland Railway. He has ordered a Wright machine, which, it is said, will cost between $7,000 and $8,000, and he is organising a club among several of his friends, at least ten of whom will order aeroplanes for delivery during the summer. It is also proposed to have an aeroplane " tournament " in the autumn. Aviation in Parliament. ON Monday, in reply to Mr. Carlile, Mr. Haldane said that Mr. Cody's engagement with the War Office terminated on the 30th inst., but it was being extended to September 30th next. With regard to civilian engineers co-operating in the construction of balloons at Aldershot, permission for this could not be granted. As to a sub- stantial sum being included in this year's Estimates for experiments in aeroplane construction, Mr. Haldane had nothing to add to what he had said in introducing the Estimates. The Army Council propose during the ensuing year to consider the machines of private inventors, and to direct the attention of special officers to the study of the subject. What experiments may be made or . machines bought as the result it would be premature to forecast. Answering a question by Lord Winterton, Mr. Asquith said a communication had been received from the Canadian Government regarding the possibilities of the " Silver Dart," and it was at present receiving the atten- tion of the War Office. On Tuesday, in the House of Lords, Lord Montagu moved for a return showing the amount expended by the Great Powers upon aerial navigation for military purposes. He pointed out that in view of the rapid progress which was being made he hoped to use an aeroplane before long, in his visits to the House. In reply, the Earl of Crewe referred to the Army experiments, and said that last year France expended £470,000 upon balloon bat- talions, and Germany £133,751. For the present year ,£19,000 had been allocated, and if increased funds were found to be necessary they would be forthcoming. British Navy Airship. FURTHER experimental work is contemplated by the Government in connection with aeronautics, this time for the British Navy, but whether the new machine will 163
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