FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1910
1910 - 0644.PDF
f/PGHT AUGUST 13, 1910. BLACKPOOL FLYING CARNIVAL-co^/W By OUR SPECIAL Wednesday, August 3rd. THE first part of the Blackpool Flying Carnival concluded to-day, the weather being ideal. During the morning Grahame-White's daring flight on the previous evening and the possibility of Loraine's flight to Douglas were eagerly discussed by those more intimately connected with the machines. The majority of the machines were ready, Grace's Bleriot and Roe's triplane having been refitted. The latter machine was the first to make its appearance on the flying ground about three o'clock, and Roe was announced as a competitor for the duration prize. Some little trouble ensued in getting the engine started, but this was managed, and the machine started along the ground, covering about half the course before lifting. Keeping very low, Roe succeeded in making two circuits, and then came down rather heavily, damaging the axle of a pair of suspension-wheels. During the meeting Grahame- White has been demonstrating the value of the aeroplane from the military point of view, and it was in connection with this that he made his first flight. England having been invaded by an enemy, a brigade of British infantry was supposed to have been cut off and surrounded at the Club House, necessitating the carrying of despatches to the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces at Lytham Hall, four miles away. In accordance with the pre arranged plan Grahame-White travelled across the ground to the Club House, receiving there the despatches. Rising rapidly he made a straight course for Lytham Hall and was soon lost to view. As Grahame-White was leaving, Tetard came out on his Sommer biplane and began circling the aerodrome at a very low altitude. Grahame-White presently returned and set off again with other despatches, taking with him a photographer for the purpose of photographing the intervening country. Some little time afterwards, the Bleriot machine of Chavez was hauled into the aerodrome, and it was taken for granted by the crowd that Chavez was going for the Altitude Prize. Such proved to be the case, and speculation became rife as to the height he would attain. Carrying the sealed barograph suspended from his neck, Chavez gave the signal for his mechanics to let go, and making a short get-off rose rapidly above the aerodrome, flying in wide circles. It was soon obvious that his previous altitude of 2,550 ft. which he made on Monday would be beaten, and after some minutes the possibility of the world's record being broken was mooted. Rising steadily he reached his highest point in about a quarter of an hour, and then began to descend. His descent was COMMISSIONER. a far finer spectacle than his ascent, consisting of a series of magnificent vols plane, the machine diving downwards at an angle of 400 to 500. He reached the ground after a flight of 24 minutes, complaining of the cold he had experienced, and also mentioning the difficulty he had in locating the aerodrome from above. The barograph recorded l,'8oo metres, and after correction the height was given as 5,887! ft., thus breaking the record with the exception of Brookins' Atlantic City flight of 6,175 ft-> and superseding Tyck's made on Bank Holiday at Brussels. Chayez had to repeatedly acknowledge the applause of the crowd on passing out of the aerodrome. Drexel, on the Bleriot two-seater, followed Chavez, being announced as entering for the Altitude Prize, but was evidently deterred on hearing the height Chavez had attained. Instead of going for the Altitude Prize Drexel gave a magnificent exhibition of flying, handling his machine with consummate ease and grace, carrying out a series of evolutions to the delight and admiration of the spectators. Loraine's Henry Farman machine was wheeled into the aerodrome whilst Drexel was flying, but trouble with the tail caused the aviator to come down after a very short flight. Having finished the despatch carrying, Grahame-White turned out for the Duration Prize, flying well within the limits of the aerodrome. As Grahame-White finished, Drexel again went up, and it was evident that the Duration Prizes would be won by these two. About five o'clock Roe, who had made two attempts pre viously, started again and succeeded in getting off the ground much quicker than before. In turning at one of the mark towers, how ever, he was caught by the wind and headed straight for the mark tower. To avoid it he brought the machine down suddenly on its nose, breaking several struts, the propeller, and one section of the planes. Roe himself seemed none the worse for the sudden descent. After more flying by Grahame-White and Drexel, Grace came out just after 6 o'clock for a trial spin. He got off the ground in fine style, but as soon as he rose began to turn, just clearing the Club- House, the machine having a definite list. Clearing the buildings, he made another circuit, and then began to descend, switching off his engine, but the list beeame so great that he started the engine again when near the ground, coming down heavily on one wheel, which buckled, then lifting again, and finishing by coming over on the buckled wheel, breaking the landing-chassis, propeller, and one wing, but escaping injury to himself. Grace stated that the unusual behaviour of the machine was caused by the faulty adjustment of the two halves of the main plane. About 7 o'clock rain began to Comrades in flight at Blackpool Aviation Meeting, waiting for the wind to drop. From left to right: Messrs. Cbampel, McArdle, Grahame-White, Cattaneo, and Drexel. Behind, Messrs. Duray and Chavez. 642
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
