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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0049.PDF
JANUARY SI, ign. The London Aerodrome. Aeronautical Syndicate School.—At various times during Satur day the Valkyrie machines were out, and two of the pupils, Mr. Benson and Lieut. Dimmock, made good solo flights, while several visitors were given trips on the passenger-carrying machine. Ad vantage was taken of the fine weather on Sunday, when the "Valkyrie pilot was kept busy with the request for trips on the passenger-carrying machines. Among those who were favoured were the Hon. Mrs. Assheton Harbord, Mr. O. 1. Napier, and Mr. H. J. Walford. Mr. B. G. Benson and Lieut. Dimmock were also out flying on the Valkyrie machines. A good deal of work was also put in by the Valkyrie machines on Monday, and among the passengers carried were Mr. R. N. Studd, Mr. F. J. Krause, and Mr. C. C. Turner. The pupils also made some good trials, while the Aeronautical Syndicate's pilot gave a fine demonstration of sharp turning on the small type " A " machine. Bleriot School.—Seveial good flights were made on Saturday by Mr. Prier on his Blei iot before a number of Japanese military officers. Mr. Prier was flying at a good height, and also carried out several skilful manoeuvres. Grahame-White School.—Work is already quite brisk down Hendon way. On Saturday, the 7th inst., Greswell, one of the school pilots, made a solo flight of 10 minutes on Farman No. 4, afterwards taking up Carr for a short flight. Hubert attempted a short straight flight without much success, and was then taken up by Greswell for four circuits. Resuming after lunch, Greswell did three circuits, and on descending Mr. Grahame-White made a lengthy flight over the surrounding country, terminating with a splendid vol plane from an altitude of about 800 ft. Lieut.- Commander Stuart and Mr. Martin were given passenger-flights, following which M. Hubert had another trial. Greswell after wards took up four more pupils in succession, Messrs. Turner, Martin, Shaw, and Lieut.-Commander Stuart, thus completing a very full day's flying, he having been in the air altogether for 3^ hours. Monday was a blank, owing to the continuous rain. The next day proved better and Greswell by 11 o'clock was out with Farman IV just for a single circuit. Finding the wind trouble some, he descended. At 3.15 he made another solo flight of three circuits, followed by passenger flights of about io minutes each with Messrs. Shaw, Hubert and Martin respectively. With Hubert as passenger, Greswell set out at 4 o'clock, this time remaining up for 35 minutes, descending only owing to the approaching darkness. Climatic conditions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday proved too abominable for any attempt at air work, but on Saturday last, punctually at 10 o'clcck, Greswell brought out Farman IV and flew three circuits in a fog dense enough to render the hangars invisible from a distance of a quarter of a mile. On alighting he took up the following pupils, Messrs. Shaw, Hubert and Martin, for flights of about 10 minutes each. During the flight with Hubert the engine stopped, forcing a vol plane, from a height of 100 feet. Lieut.-Commander Stuart then followed as passenger for his third lesson, whilst other passenger flights were with Messrs. Tyrer and Tohnstone, after which Commander Cumming was given an extended flight. At this stage Hubert took charge of the machine and made some straight line flights. Lieut.-Commander Stuart then thrilled everyone by flying to the end of the aerodrome. Having attained an altitude of 50 ft. he made a splendid turn to the left, and finished up opposite the sheds by attempting a vol plant from a height of 40 ft., landing none too gently. This being only his fourth time on an aeroplane, and his first trial alone, his performance was very promising. After lunch Martin, an American pupil, mounted the machine or the first time alone, and to the astonishment of everyone rose at an alarming angle, and made for the far end of the aerodrome. Rising still higher, he flew right outside the ground, circled the Government Lymph Laboratory, and returning, passed the hangars, then making another lap and landing in good style. This premier exploit on an aeroplane caused considerable trepidation amongst the " school " people and left them in a gasping condition for some considerable time. Mr. Grahame-White, by way of a change, then took over the machine and after circling the aerodrome, flew away over Finchley. Returning, he landed with a pretty vol plane from a height of 400 feet. It was a great pity that an accident occurred to mar an otherwise excellent day's flying. Lieut.-Commander Stuart flew the Farman for one circuit in quite good style, but landed heavily, carrying away the under chassis, and wrecking the machine. He sustained injuries to the extent of a dislocated elbow and sundry small cuts about the face. He was hurried away to the hospital and we hear that he is making good progress. He has our warmest sympathy, and we wish him a very complete and rapid recovery. New Forest Aviation School, Beaulieu, Hants. DURING the week there has been a good deal of practice here. Those who saw his initiation work, are expressing regret that Mr. Kempton Cannon has decided to give up flying on getting married, as he had the requisite touch and eye necessary to become an expert airman. Mr. Wilson was out doing long laps, whilst Mr. Poggioli was indulging in small circular flights as well. Mr. Tinline's Howard Wright biplane was doing straight flights. There is one great advantage of this ground, that is, there pre two long straights at right angles, both of which diverge into the circular course, so that no matter which way the wind blows the machine can always be at it. On Saturday morning Mr. A. Aitken made two flights of a couple of circuits each, but during the second he took too sharp a turn at the height and came down on one wheel, which promptly buckled up, but doing no other damage. On Sunday he made a very pretty flight, covering three circuits in about 5 minutes. He hae now quite got rid of the habit of keeping the tail down. The E.N.V. engine on the Howard Wright is now running in first-class form, pulling better than she has ever done before, with the result that nice long steady hops are frequent; when in flight her lines are particularly graceful. Mr. Poggioli was out again, flying for one circuit and landing in quite the approved style. Salisbury Plain. THE closing days of last week up till Saturday were blank, as far as flying was concerned, owing to the weather. On the Wed nesday, Lieut. Cammel, R.E., was supervising the finishing touches of the repairs to Col. Capper's monoplane, and on the following day Mr. Carter was busy tuning up the 8-cylinder engine fitted to his biplane illustrated last week. Saturday opened with a fine frosty morning, and Tetard was out early with the Bristol biplane, accompanied by Versepuy, the Demoiselle pilot. He flew around Bulford Camp for a distance of between 8 and 10 miles, and landed by a fine gliding flight. Later he eclipsed all his previous performances by taking up two passengers, Versepuy and Mr. L. Wright. He was using one of the ordinary type Bristol machines without extensions, and also carried 60 litres of petrol and oil. He rose to a height of about 120 ft., and steered the machine very easily. Later in the day he made several other passenger fi;ghts, including one around Stonehenge and Amesbury Village at a height of about 1,000 ft., and another in which his passenger was a lady, who was highly delighted with her experience. Mr. Cockburn was also out on his Farman machine and made a fine flight of about 5 miles, during which he kept his machine very close to the ground. Afterwards his pupil, Lieut. Conner, made several straight line flights, sometimes getting to a height of 40 ft. The lessons were brought to a conclusion through a slight accident, as a result of which two struts were broken as well as a stay wire, which became entangled with the propeller, smashing it. Apart from this, however, the damage was not very serious, and the pilot was unhurt. Mr. Carter was also out on his biplane, but could not make any extended flights as his engine was not pulling properly. Sunday morning was again fine, and Tetard took advantage of it to give some of his pupils a lesson. Monday morning was also frosty and fine, and Tetard was out at early work. Accompanied by Versepuy he made a wide circle round Fargo Camp, and then headed off in the direction of Devizes at a height of 1,200 feet. Arrived there he circled round the Wilts County Asylum, and owing to the fact that his carburettor had frozen up he was forced to land in a field near Monument Hill. It was the first biplane seen so close to Devizes, and naturally a large crowd quickly assembled coming on foot and in motor cars and motor cycles from all parts. In landing the propeller was some what damaged owing to striking a large stone, but otherwise the flight was eminently successful. Mr. Carter had his biplane out once more, but as the engine still remained obdurate he decided to save time by taking it back to the works at Birmingham for certain alterations to be carried out. On the completion ot these he will once again return to Salisbury Plain, as he considers that it is one of the finest flying grounds in the kingdom. Col. Capper's machine was also in evidence, and with the engine running splendidly made several hops along the ground, as a result of which several slight alteratiors were decided upon. Having fitted a new propeller to his machine, Tetard on Tuesday flew back to Salisbury, arriving over the grounds at a height of 600 feet. He afterwards took up several pupils for lessons. Col. Capper was also out trying his monoplane, while Mr. Cockburn, having completed the repairs to his biplane, tested it by a couple of circular flights of $k miles each, and afterwards Lieut. Conner resumed his lessons and progressed so far as to be able to make ome really good turns. 51
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