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Aviation History
1910
1910 - 0933.PDF
NOVEMBER 12, 1910. •ease. M. Blondeau then went aloft for the benefit of a pupil, who had part control most of the time. Mr. Sopwith was doing exceedingly well on his Warwick Wright monoplane, flying stronger than before owing to a change of pro pellers. At times he reached an altitude of quite 200 ft. Mr. Pixton, on the Roe triplane, attained about the same altitude, but while over the sewage farm the machine began a rapid descent on an even keel, but taking a spiral path. In the inevitable smash the petrol tank became ignited, and much damage was done to the machine before the fire could be extinguished. Mr. Pixton escaped unhurt, and he was quite unable to give any reason for his fall. Mr. Low made circular flights on the Bristol biplane, followed by M. Edmond, who carried passengers. Mr. Grahame-White's Farman, piloted by a pupil, made several straight flights. Mr. Collier brought out his monoplane, now fitted with a 20-h.p. J.A.P., but in a very short space of time he was in difficulties. Owing to an axle breaking, the machine swung round sharply, smashing one of the tail outriggers, but doing no serious damage. After most of the flyers had retired for the day, Mr. Gilmour took out the Martin-Handasyde monoplane, now fitted with the Bleriot controls. While coming up from the far end of the aero drome, a wheel buckling caused the machine to turn round on a wing tip, and finally stand on its nose. Mr. Gilmour was thrown from his seat, but luckily his foot catching in a wire prevented him from going further than the plane. A propeller, one wing, and the front skid proved the sum total of this little episode. London Aerodrome. ON Tuesday of last week, a 50-h.p. Bleriot-Gnome having arrived, M. Prier was soon out with her, and flew over the surrounding country at a height of about 700 ft., remaining up about 15 mins. The difference in the way he rose in the Gnome- engined machine compared with the Anzani was most noticeable, and at the end of the flight the engine was little more than warm. Wednesday and Thursday proved blank days, owing to the boisterous weather. Friday afternoon turned out bright and sunny with a crisp air, and saw M. Prier leave the aerodrome upon a visit to Mr. Willows at Wormwood Scrubbs. At exactly 2 p.m. M. Prier climbed into the new 50-h.p. Bleriot-Gnome, and examined her; everything being satisfactory, at 2.5 he started the engine and left the ground. Flying at a height of about 1,200 ft., he accomplished the journey to Wormwood Scrubbs in 7\ mins., alighting directly in front of Mr. Willows' garage. Here he remained some three-quarters of an hour chatting to Mr. Willows, whom he wished "good luck " on his voyage to Paris, and then again climbing into his aeroplane he returned to the London Aerodrome in 7 mins., attaining a height of some 1,300 ft., from which he descended in one long vol plant. He was thus absent from the London Aerodrome about an hour, while his actual flight had taken exactly 144 mins. An interesting fact is that the machine used is the first of its kind to be sold on the ground of the London Aerodrome, while it is the first in existence to be purchased for a purely commercial reason, since it was purchased in connection with the laying of oil pipes across a desert in Persia. Saturday proved another glorious flying day—bright and windless, though a trifle keen. In the morning Mr. Weir, the Bleriot pupil — if one who has made such wonderful progress can be termed pupil—flew brilliantly several times, making complete circuits of the ground, at an average height of 30 ft. The astonishing way in which Mr. Weir has learnt to fly should convince even the veriest unbeliever that flying—at any rate, as taught by M. Prier— is within the scope of anyone who wishes to learn. In the afternoon there was a double attraction; Mr. Weir obtained his R.Ae.C. pilot's certificate as the result of five lessons ! He flew the usual test of three flights of 6 mins. each, coming down in a given space of 150 yards. At times he rose to about 100 ft., and at others to some 30 ft. ; but, wherever he flew, the wonderful steadiness of the machine was most marked, and very few people, not knowing that he was a pupil, would have guessed that he had only five times previously been in an aeroplane. A wonderful ® ® Mr. Haldane Ventures Aloft. REALLV things are coming to a pretty pass when the British War Minister actually visits Aldershot to see what is being done in the way of aeronautics there, and not only so but ventures aloft in a dirigible. It is high time, however, that the authorities did do something to encourage the enthusiastic officers at Farnborough who have for so long been endeavouring to make "bricks without straw," and it is to be hoped that as a result of this visit the ballooning establishment there will be placed on a more liberal footing. After inspecting, on Friday week, the Morning Post National Fund Airship, which is undergoing repairs in the big •balloon shed at Farnborough, Mr. Haldane witnessed some short [^JGHT] performance, which proves emphatically the boast of the Bleriot firm that flying can be easily taught i»si\ lessons ! After Mr. Weir's first flight M. Prier gave a wonderful display of fancy flying in a 50-h.p. Gnome-Bl^riot ; he flew in short circles for some time, and then gave the crowd a taste of his powers by circling the ground, and ending in vol planes which apparently looked like a sudden and tragic end to machine and pilot. During this week the " Valkyrie II " has been undergoing altera tions. The big three-seated machine is a source o( interest to many, and the impressions regarding her capabilities are many, so that it will be interesting to sec the result of her trial. The small machine is nearly finished, and two more are on the way. New Forest Aviation School. DURING the three fine days at the end of last week, Barrington Kennett, Cook, Wilson, and Kempton Cannon were busy on the School monoplanes, the first-named couple making excellent flights which would have enabled the pilots to pass their tests for certificates had they arranged for an official observer to. be present. On Friday evening Lord Montagu—one of the honorary observers appointed by the Royal Aero Club—motored up, and Cook at once started off to attempt one of his qualifying flights. Unfortunately, the motor got obstinate, and despite every effort to keep his machine in the air, the gallant Major was obliged to make a sudden landing after having covered about 2 miles. As is so often the case, the spot where he came down was the only place within hundreds of yards that is not entirely free from " hazards." Just in front of him was a gaping dry pond : the machine actually ran in and out of it again, despite the fact that the banks are 3 ft. high and extremely steep, ere coming to a standstill with a smash. Considering all things it was extraordinary that only the propeller and a longitudinal of the fusellage were broken, but the delay made it too late for another trial to be attempted before sunset. Kempton Cannon has more than realised the expectations expressed in these notes three weeks ago, for from the first moment he got into a machine he seemed to get the " touch " of the control and rudder. Exactly following instructions he used very little helm, got his tail up nicely, and for his first essay made a roll of about half a mile in a perfectly straight line. He seems to have experienced no difficulty in either keeping his head or in keeping the machine straight, and on the second day he was doing straight hops. Given a little more fine weather, his rapid qualification as a pilot-aviator looks certain. There is little doubt that his thorough knowledge of motors stands him in good stead, but light hands, ready resource, and quickness of action inherent in a good jockey, probably contribute more towards his astonishing aptitude for aviation than anything else. Salisbury Plain. ON Wednesday Mons. Tetard, the noted French pilot, was flying the Bristol biplane with E. N. V. engine, making several fine circuits of about 10 miles, afterwards flying on the Bristol No. 9 (Gnome engine). Mons. Jullerot also made two good circuits with the E.N.V. biplane. Mr. McDonald, one of the school pupils, then made several flights. He has improved so steadily that he is now quite ready to take his certificate any suitable day. On the 4th inst. he made seven separate flights with the Bristol E.N.V., covering in all about 60 miles. His longest single flight without touching the ground was 16 miles, flying towards Devizes and back to the hangars, a good cross country flight, finishing with a vol plant: and landing from about 50 ft. M. T^tard was also out on this day early in the morning on No. 9. On the 5th inst. McDonald was at 6.30 a.m. out again, making a few short flights, but the cold was terrible, there being a very hard frost during the previous night, preventing him staying in the air for more than 5 minutes at a time. M. Tetard flew with the No. 9 machine at 12.30, being up for 15 minutes, and reaching an altitude of 1,000 to 1,200 ft., and landing with a very pretty vol plant. He also complained of the intense cold. It must be gratifying to the constructors of the Bristol to know that both M M. Jullerot and Tetard speak highly of the stability and flying qualities of the machine, and of their great confidence when flying this machine. ® ® flights by the airship " Beta," and so impressed was he that he decided to make a short trip himself. Changing his frock coat and " topper" for a more workmanlike coat and a cap, he took his place beside Capt. Broke-Smith, while Mr. Cox took charge of the engine room. On being released the vessel rose to a height of about 400 ft. and cruised over Laffan'ii Plain for about 20 mins., various manoeuvres being carried out to demonstrate the control of the vessel to Mr. Haldane. On returning to terra firma Mr. Haldane expressed his pleasure at the experience, and said that although it was a peculiar sensation at first he was surprised at the lack of dizziness. Although he was unable to look over a precipice without experiencing this sensation, yet when the airship was 500 ft. up he found no discomfort in looking over the side. 931
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