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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0325.PDF
APRIL 15, 1911. (/ycHT) MODELS AT OLYMPIA AND A PRIZE SCHEME. THIS year, as on former occasions, a display of models at Olympia was organised by the Royal Aero Club assisted by the Automobile Association and Motor Union, which bodies voted a sum of money to constitute a prize fund that was distributed by the judges as follows :— For flight capacity, as demonstrated by actual trial :— 1st Prize, £4 4s., to W. H. Sayers for the Ding-Sayers model biplane No. 49. 2nd Prize, £3 3s., to M. Gordon Jones for the model biplane No. 35. For good workmanship :— 1st Prize, £4 4s., to G. P. Bragg Smith for the model biplane No. 50. 2nd Prizes, of £2 2s., to each of the follow ing competitors :— W. Birkinger, for the scale model Bleriot No. 6. G. T, R. Hill, for the model biplane No. 31. W. J. and H. E. Startin, for the model Antoinette type monoplane No. 52. Special Prize of £3 3s. to H. Burge Webb for the working model whirling table. No awards were made for originality in design. Of the above statements the last is the most significant and the least satisfactory, for it must be confessed that individually and collectively the models at Olympia were disappointing in this matter of originality in design. From some points of view we are inclined to think, however, that as much is not done as might be done to encourage this particular aspect of the Exhibition along lines that would be more readily appreciated by the com petitors themselves. Since the very first Show at Olympia, we have most strongly advocated the classification of models on show into one or other of three definite categories, and our reason for doing so has been mainly because such an action on the part of the organising bodies would have, we imagine, a strong influence on the nature of the work submitted. The arbitrary classification that appears to us desirable, at any rate by way of a start, is to regard a model as being either :— 1. A toy built primarily for the purpose of amusement by its capacity for actual flight ; 2. A scale model built as a miniature replica of some well- known machine, and exhibited primarily for its high-class workmanship ; 3. An original design, built on a small scale in order to afford a working model of some mechanism or other special feature that it is desired to illustrate in a more satisfactory manner than can be done by drawings. It is always in respect to this last category that most confusion prevails, for nominally almost every exhibit at Olympia would appear to belong to it according to the generally vague descriptions of the exhibitors themselves. It is this absence of a definite and clear purpose in the nature of the models exhibited that is the most unfortunate feature of the latest and past model shows, and it is in the direction of encouraging definite purpose that we consider the organ ising bodies can do most useful work, primarily, as we have suggested, by announcing in advance that competitors must enter their exhibits under one or other of some definite series The Ding-Sayers small biplane, which took first priz: for living, and Is capable of rising from the ground under its own power. of categories. As a matter of fact, the judging of the exhibits for the award of prizes has proceeded more or less in accord ance with the above suggested principles on these last two occasions ; but the fact that the model-makers themselves are not bound to enter in a definite category naturally intro duces difficulties and tends to frustrate the best efforts of the organising bodies in their desire to give really useful encouragement to this important, if second, line in a great movement. Next year we shall hope to see something of this sort put into definite practice. But that in order that we may do our part without delay in trying to prepare the ground, we have decided to institute a prize scheme of our own for ideas, full particulars of which will be given next week. Primarily, the model exhibits at Olympia, when judged under the "Flight" Copyright. Scale model of the G. P. Bragg Smith automatic stability biplane. This model was awarded the first prize for workmanship. "Flight" Copyright. 1| in. scale model of an Antoinette monoplane, constructed by W. J. and H. E. Startin, which received second prize for workmanship. 327
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