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Aviation History
1910
1910 - 0487.PDF
JUNE 25, 1910, BRITISH NOTES Ae.C.F. Honours the Hon. C. S. Rolls. AT their meeting of the 9th June the Committee of the Aero Club de France decided to have a silver-gilt medal struck to com memorate the cross-Channel voyage of Mr. C. S. Rolls. This medal will have the date of the flight firom Dover to Calais and back by aeroplane engraved on it. Teaching British Army Officers to Fly. AT last an official start has been made with the instruction of British Army officers in the art of flying. On Monday evening the Hon. C. S. Rolls visited the balloon factory at Farnborough, and explained to a number of officers of the balloon companies of the Royal Engineers the working of his Short-Wright machine, which has been at the balloon factory for some time. The instruction was continued early on Tuesday morning, and although no attempt at flight was made the motors were started up and the method of handling the machine was demonstrated. A starting-rail has been laid down on Jersey Brow, and it was anticipated that practical flying would be commenced at the end of this week. Rapid Progress by Mr. Colmore. ALTHOUGH he had never been in an aeroplane before, Mr. Colmore on Sunday, using one of the new Short machines, after twenty minutes' trial on the ground, commenced the trials for his pilot's certificate. He accomplished 2f circles of about four miles circumference each, when he was forced to come down for an adjustment to his engine. On Monday he made flights in very gusty winds, and handled his machine magnificently. His engine again failed him when at an alti tude of 100 ft. However, he brought the machine down quite safely and without any damage. The rapidity with which Mr. Colmore has learnt to manipulate the machine constitutes a record. Mr. Gibbs in England. AFTER his exciting experiences in Sunny Spain, Mr. Lancelot D. Gibbs has returned to Great Britain, where he hopes to compete at the important meetings during the summer. On Tuesday of last week Mr. Gibbs was flying his new Sommer biplane at Eastchurch, and although it was his first trial, a successful flight of about a mile was made. Subsequently the biplane was packed and sent to Brooklands, where Mr. Gibbs hoped to have flown on Saturday, but the machine was not quite ready. Mr. Gibbs has taken business premises at 166, Piccadilly, and is opening an aviation school, where, in addition to the Sommer machine, a Henry Farman of the newest type will be available. " Gamma " Out Again. HAVING had the damage sustained during the recent gale repaired, the army airship "Gamma" was out for atrial run on Saturday afternoon. Piloted by Lieut. Broke Smith, R.E., with Lieuts. Cammell and Reynolds and Mr. Green as crew, the dirigible manoeuvred successfully over Farnborough Common for forty minutes. The only incident was the stampeding of some horses belonging to the Oxford University Territorials, which were apparently frightened by the whirr of the motor as it passed over them. Admiralty and Bournemouth. IN the House of Commons last week, Mr. McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, said the Admiralty had not found themselves able to assist the Bournemouth meeting by providing a destroyer to patrol the Solent during the principal International race. On being reminded of how they manage these things better in France, Mr. McKenna said the Admiralty saw no reason why they should do so here. Prices at Blackpool. IT is very probable that a prize of .£500 will be given for a flight from the aerodrome at Blackpool to Southport and back again, and it is likely that if the Blackpool Tower Company are willing to repeat their offer of a £500 prize for a flight from the aerodrome round the tower and back again, the Lancashire Aero Club will be able to include this in their programme. A Meeting for Ireland. UNDER the auspices of the Aero Club of Ireland, an endeavour is being made to organise a two days flying meeting to be held at Leopardstown, near Dublin, on August 29th and 30th, which is during the Horse Show week. To cover the expenses, which are estimated at £2,000, an appeal was issued on the 16th for a fund to guarantee this amount, and on the following day over half of it had been subscribed. Definite arrangements have been made with Mr. Claude Grahame-White, and it is hoped that Mr. Ferguson and others who have been making good progress lately will attend. 1/LWHfJ OF THE WEEK. Presentation to Hon. C. S. Rolls. AN interesting little function took place at the Royal Aero Club on Tuesday afternoon, when the Hon. C. S. Rolls was presented with the Club's gokl medal for his flight from Dover to Calais and back recently. Mr. Roger Wallace, chairman of the Club, presided, and among those present were Sir Charles D. Rose, Mr. John Dunville, Mr. Griffith Brewer, Mr. Mortimer Singer, and other prominent members interested in aviation. In making the presentation the chairman referred to Mr. Rolls' record as a motorist, and also his fine feat in flying over the sea at Nice. He said the flight from Dover to Calais and back would always be remembered because of its sporting nature, there being no prize to be won. MM. Ruinart had, however, given a very handsome cup, which Mr. Wallace on behalf of the donors presented to Mr. Rolls as a souvenir. In replying to the toast of his health, the Hon. C. S. Rolls expressed his thanks to the Club, and said the machine rendered the feat comparatively simple. He was therefore bound to couple with the honour done to him the name of the Wright Brothers. Capt. Dawes at Dunstall Park. WHILE flying at a greater height than he has hitherto attempted, Capt. Dawes met with a mishap on the 15th inst. at Dunstall Park. He had almost completed one circuit of the Park, and had just passed over some trees, when the machine swooped down and then shot up again, only to fall sideways from a height of 50 ft. The machine was considerably damaged, but Capt. Dawes escaped unhurt. Morals from the Worcester Accident. IN view of our leader of last week on " Accidents and their Morals," it is satisfactory to observe the line that has been taken by the jury at the inquest which followed the unfortunate aeroplane accident at the recent Worcester Agricultural Show grounds. Their verdict expressed a strong sense of the inadequacy of the inquiries made by the Show authorities as to the course selected for the exhibition flights, and also as to the qualifications of the aviator, while they further censured both "Captain" Clayton and his assistant Beresford for attempting to fly in public when insufficiently expert in the art. Incidentally, in the course of the proceedings, Captain Clayton admitted that the title of "Captain" was simply adopted for business purposes; and it also transpired that the amount of money which he stood to make by the demonstration depended upon whether a successful demonstration were made or not, and also upon whether or not any actual flights—as distinct from "jumps"— were effected. Another important feature of this inquest was that the Royal Aero Club were adequately represented at the special request of the coroner. Both Mr. John Dunville, as a member of the committee, and Mr. H. E. Perrin, the secretary, made it clear that although the Royal Aero Club had no desire to arrogate to themselves the complete control of such exhibitions, and although they did not suggest that an airman could only be properly qualified to fly when he became the possessor of one of their certificates, yet in the opinion of the Club the space available on this particular occasion at Worcester was inadequate to ensure safety, and the Club had no official knowledge of either of the men who were engaged. Everything, in fact, at this inquest has tended to uphold our contention of last week, that the organisers of all exhibition flights and flying meetings ought to insist upon every competitor holding some internationally recognised pilot's certificate before permitting him to perform. A Novel Model Competition. A VERY original competition has been arranged by the Central Novelty Co., of Coventry, for the benefit of their customers. Eight classes have been arranged as follows :—1. For models illustrating original ideas. 2. Best scale model of existing type of machine. 3. Best flight by biplane. 4. Ditto by monoplane. 5. Models, except direct-lift machines, making best flight from ground. 6. Best direct-lift machine raising most weight in relation to size. 7. Best-designed and constructed model made by competitor under 15. 8. Best flight by model weighing less than 30 ozs. A coupon entitling the purchaser to enter one model will be sent to each purchaser of $s. worth of goods. The competitions will be held on September 23rd and 24th, under the auspices of the Birmingham Aero Club, and full rules and conditions can be obtained from the Central Novelty Co. Prize Winning Model Aeroplanes. IT is of importance to note that the sole selling rights of the Gordon-Jones dihedral biplane, which won the Birmingham Aero Club's challenge shield at the Botanical Gardens on the loth inst., and of the G. P. Bragg Smith automatic aeroplane, winner of the
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