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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0491.PDF
AUGUST 14, 1909. SHELLBEACH STILL EXPANDING. Panorama of the enclosure on the Aero Club's flight grounds at Shellbeach, showing Short Brothers' factory in the centretwo of the Aero Club's sheds on the right, and a couple of private sheds on the left in course of erection, between which is a tiny little bungalow. Messrs. Harbrow have, in fact, been completing their buildings so quickly that, like mushrooms,they almost spring up in a night. BECAUSE it happens that little has yet been done in the way of practical flight at Shellbeach up to the present time, some people have been led to a totally erroneous impression that there is a temporary " slump" in activities. Nothing, as a matter of fact, could well be wider of the mark than any such idea, and the accom- panying photographs, one of which is a panorama of the Aero Club's enclosure, taken about three weeks ago, may, perhaps, serve to convey a conception of the realities to those who are unable to find time to get down and see for themselves. More particularly should this be the case if a comparison is made with a corresponding view which appeared only so recently as May 15th, for even at a cursory glance there has evidently been a very remarkable eight weeks' work. Further progress has since been made, the unfinished buildings having been completed and others commenced. An even busier time is expected during the next few weeks, as Orville Wright is due in a few days to test the Wright flyers built there. He will also, it is reponed, make, some tests with his latest invention for auto- matically regulating the planes to suit varying winds. Owing to the delay in getting the engines, however, Orville Wright may go to Germany before actually flying here. Tests have been carried out by Mr. Frank McClean on the biplane built for him by Messrs. Short Brothers, and another machine, of which something may be heard very shortly, is that designed by Lieut. Dunne, with which experiments were carried out in secret in Scotland. This is now at Shellbeach, and in a few days' time Mr. Gibbs hopes to have it in the air. Another aviator actively at work at Shellbeach is Mr. A. E. George, of Messrs. George and Jobling, Newcastle, who will be remembered as a driver of Argyll and Darracq rars in the Isle of Man races. He has quite recently purchased Mr. Moore-Brabazon's " Bird of Passage " (a description of which appears in this issue), and is familiarising himself with its working before actually attempting to fly. He, however, hopes to become proficient very quickly. Messrs. Short Brothers have extended their sheds, as we said some time ago they intended to do, and still they have not room enough for their work in hand, although they are temporarily occupying two of the Aero Club's sheds, Interior of Short Brothers' principal erecting shop, where the British-built Wright flyers are in course of construction.Although hardly established three months in their new premises, Messrs. Short are already employing 80 men. The above shop is 140 it. long by 45 ft. wide. 493
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