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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0572.PDF
f/QGHT JULY I, KJIL THE GORDON-BENNETT AVIATION CUP. THE thoughts of most keen aviation enthusiasts will be turning towards Eastchurch to-day, Saturday, in view of the fact that some of the world's best flyers will be competing there for the blue ribbon of the air. This is the third International Competition for the Gordon-Bennett Aviation Cup, the first having taken place at the Rheims meeting on August 28th, 1909, when it was won by Glenn H. Curtiss for America, and the second at Belmont Park, New York, on October 29th last year, when the winner -was Claude Grahame-White for Great Britain. Hence this year the battle for the trophy is to be fought on British soil, the race, as our readers are already aware, taking place at the Royal Aero Club's ground at Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, and where it is timed to start shortly after 11.30 a.m. In the contest on Saturday Great Britain will be represented by Messrs. G. Hamel, Alec Ogilvie and Graham Gilmour, while Messrs. J. Radley, J. Valentine and O. C. Morison have been nominated as reserves. Mr. Hamel will fly a new Bleriot machine. Mr. Ogilvie will use a Baby Wright biplane similar to that on which be secured third place in the competition last year, while Mr. Gilmour will probably pilot a Bristol monoplane. The race is over a distance of 150 kiloms., roughly speaking about 94 miles, and the circuit will be about between three and four miles round. The French team consists of MM. Leblanc, Nieuport and Chevalier, the first-named using a Gnome-Bleriot machine, and the second and third Nieuport machines fitted respectively with Nieuport and Gnome engines. Aubrun (Deperdussin), Vedrines (Morane), and Gibert (R.E.P.) have been nominated as reserves. Chevalier qualified at Mourmelon on the 20th ult. by flying 150 kiloms. in ih. 43m. 35s. On the same day Aubrun set out to qualify for the French team, but being unable to start until late in the afternoon, he came down after covering 70 kiloms. As, however, he had attained a speed of 125 kiloms. an hour, he was at first included in the French team, only to be displaced by Chevalier when the news of the latter's trial became known. Weymann, using a Nieuport monoplane, has been nominated to represent the United States. In the first competition at Rheims the distance flown was only 20 kiloms., being two rounds of a 10 kilom. circuit. On that occasion there were five competitors, France being represented by- a full team of three, L. Bleriot (Bleriot), H. Latham (Antoinette), and Lefebvre (Wright). Glenn H. Curtiss (Curtiss) upheld the colours of the United States, and G. B. Cockburn (H. Farman) represented Great Britain. The winner was Curtiss, who com pleted the two laps in 15 mins. 50f sees., Bleriot being second in 15 mins. 56^ sees., and Latham third in 17 mins. 32 sees. In last year's competition there were eight competitors, America being represented by Brookins (Wright), Drexel (Bleriot), and Moisant (Bleriot). Great Britain had a full team of three, consisting of C. Grahame-White (Bieriot), J. Radley (Bleriot), and A. Ogilvie (Wright), while France relied upon Leblanc (Bleriot), and Latham (Antoinette). The course was 5 kiloms. round and had to be covered 20 times, and curiously enough, as in the first contest, the first competitor to make the attempt proved to be the winner. Grahame-White completed the 20 laps in ih. im. 474s. Only two others completed the full distance, these being Moisant, whose time was ih. 57m. 48-855., and Ogilvie, who owing to ignition trouble which caused a 54 min. stop, took 2h. 6m. 36s. Leblanc, after making the speediest flight over 19 circuits, was put out of the race owing to his machine fouling a telegraph post. After the meeting, it was suggested that the next competition for the Trophy should be held over a cross-country course ; but after full consideration had been given to the proposal by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, it was decided, for this year at least, to hold the race over a closed circuit, the distance, however, being increased to 150 kiloms. To witness the race at Eastchurch to-day, it should be noted that a special train will leave Victoria, S.E. and C.R., at 9.30 a.m. calling at Heme Hill at 9"40 a.m. and arriving at Eastchurch at 11.10 a.m. For those who prefer to travel by road a route map was published in our last issue showing the roads to Eastchurch, and arrangements have been made on the ground for an enclosure for motor cars from which an uninterrupted view of the whole race can be obtained. Special arrangements have been made for the supply of refreshments, the catering for which is in the hands of the Army and Navy Stores. At the close of the race it is proposed to give an informal dinner to the competitors, when the Cup -will be presented to the winner. ® ® ® ® BRITISH NOTES Our Prize Model Scheme. A FURTHER contribution has been received in connection with our Prize Model Scheme from Samuel Smart, Jun. Some of the Indian Coronation guests at Brooklands Flying Grounds.— This group of Indian officers are much interested in an extempore lecture by a British officer in mufti. OF THE WEEK. Further Prohibition Orders by the Home Secretary. A FURTHER order was issued the other day by the Home Secretary under the Aerial Navigation Act prohibiting the navigation of aircraft of every description within four miles of the city of Norwich on the 28th ult., when the King visited the Royal Agricultural Show, ami-also within four miles of Windsor Castle to-day, July 1st, whenThe ,^ H King and Queen go to Windsor. Legislation Against Aerial Spies. IN reply to a question by Mr. Perkins as to whether it was proposed during the present Session of Parliament to initiate any legislative proposals for the better protection of arsenals, military camps, powder magazines, and fortifications against aerial alien espionage, Col. Seely said the subject was receiving the consideration of the Government, and the measures required, providing the necessary security, will be taken at the earliest possible date. A South Wales Aeroplane. INCREASING success is now being attained by Mr. Ernest Sutton, who, during the last week, was able to make several promising flights on his monoplane. Endeavours are being made to procure the use of a suitable flying ground in the neighbour hood of Swansea, so that the public may be enabled to witness some of the flights. Parcels Delivery by Aeroplane. AN interesting experiment was arranged by the General Electric Co. to take place at Brighton on Thursday evening last. Briefly, the idea was that Mr. H. Barber should carry from the G.E.C. Worthing depot to the Hove Marine Park a parcel of Osram lamps for delivery to a Brighton customer. It was also proposed that the machine should be- illuminated by Osram lamps. 574
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