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Aviation History
1910
1910 - 0618.PDF
I/O GHT AUGUST 6, 1910. the well-known Henry Farman machine of Grahame-White was in the aerodrome, and shortly afterwards the aviator set out with the intention of flying to Southport, in volving a flight across the Ribble estuary, the distance from town to town being 12 miles. He arrived there safely to the great jubilation of the holiday crowds assembled on the sands, and after spending about an hour in Southport, made the return journey in about 15 minutes, landing in the aerodrome shortly after I o'clock. Meanwhile there was no lack of interest in the aerodrome. Gresswell, a pupil of Grahame-White, came out on the " Blue bird," a cross-Channel type of Bleriot, with the fabric painted blue, and fitted with a three-cylinder Anzani engine. After amusing the assembled spectators with ground manoeuvres and several hops, he essayed a more serious attempt, when, in getting up speed, his steering proved faulty, one of the wheels buckling, with the result that the " Blue-bird" came down on one wing with disastrous effect. The pilot was in no way the worse for his accident, and managed to preserve the calm so necessary for the successful aviator. McArdle was next out on his Bleriot, flying in a series of undulations, giving one the impression of an invisible switch back. During his flight, which lasted 10 minutes, he ascended to a considerable height, and then, switching off his ignition, began a vol plane. When nearing the ground, however, McArdle apparently warped the wrong wing, with the result that he buckled the left wheel and suspension fork, besides damaging the framework carrying the motor, the wings, and smashing the propeller. The announce ment was now made that Drexel would take Grace as a passenger and fly round the Blackpool Tower in the two-seated Bleriot which Drexel purchased from Morane at the close of the recent Bourne mouth meeting. In conveying the machine across the hangar enclosure one of the tyres burst, and the flight was postponed, being finally abandoned. By this time the news of the fine flying had become known all over the town, and huge crowds entered the aerodrome in anticipation of further excitement. The sandhills immediately adjoining the ground were black with people, and quite a hundred thousand people took advantage of the opportunity of witnessing Four of the great flyers at Blackpool. From left to right—Cecil Grace, Armstrong Drexel, Claude [Grahame-White, and, in the Bteriot pilot's seat, McArdle, 6l6 A Gnome motor "set" for Henry Farman biplane, showing engine, propeller, oil and petrol tanks, pilot's seat, and foot control of vertical rudders. the flying from such advantageous positions. Chavez made his first appearance with his Bleriot at 2.30 p.m., and rising rapidly, delighted the crowd with a superb and masterly exhibition of airmanship, his- machine growing smaller and smaller until the hum of the motor was almost imperceptible. In descending, Chavez made a series of magnificent glides, bringing the machine to earth in a graceful- swoop. On referring to the recording barometer, the maximum height registered 1,200 metres, but this did not count for the- altitude prize as he was not over the aerodrome. The official height was given as 2,550 ft., quite sufficient to- secure him the altitude prize. After Chavez came Drexel and Grace on the two-seater Bleriot. Drexel proceeded to execute various manoeuvres in the air, turning in a very small circle, but flying very low. It was soon apparent that the engine was not pulling at all well, and after barely clearing the fencing of the enclosure, Drexel brought the machine to earth in a field outside the ground. Loraine and the racing Farman. became visible at 3 p.m., but no start was made until 3.15 p.m., owing to one of the wheel hubs seizing on its- spindle. A fresh wheel being substituted, Loraine started, and having made a circuit of the aerodrome went off in the direction of Lytham. Various- suggestions were made as to his ultimate goal, but it was not until a quarter past four that he was located, when a telephone message from Liver pool brought the news that he was flying over that city. A few minutes later we heard that he was rounding New Brighton town, and on his way back. Meanwhile Grace brought out his new Bldriot, and as this was his maiden attempt on the machine his flight was followed with great interest. He rose nicely, and for 8 minutes travelled over the aerodrome and sandhills, making a most successful landing. Some time later, in making: another attempt, he got into difficulties with the- steering, and, veering round suddenly, buckled the wheel, with the result that the aeroplane tilted over on one wing, and the propeller smashed. The cause of the smash was due to Grace's inability to locate- the switch, and he was in the unfortunate position of being in charge of a runaway aeroplane Chavez now went up for the duration prize, and as is his custom, rose rapidly to about 2,000 ft.>. flying out over the sea and the neighbouring district. Whilst Chavez was still flying Grahame- White ascended, and the two aviators made a pretty spectacle. Grahame-White proceeded to* qualify for the merit prize by a series of intricate displays, cutting figure eights with ease, certainty, and grace. Tetard, the Sommer pilot, was next in evidence, making his first flight in splendid style, and creating no little discussion amongst the spec tators as to the machine and its pilot. Although roughly built, the machine showed itself to be a very capable flyer. Shortly afterwards Tetard rose again, and attaining an altitude of over 1,000 ft., headed over Blackpool, rounding.
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