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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0658.PDF
I/DGHTJ just over two hours to get to the Scottish capital. No others succeeded in completing the second section on Monday, and the fourth position in the contest was held by Hamel, who rested at Newcastle overnight. After leaving Hendon he had been delayed at Melton Mowbray with inlet-valve trouble. He came down in a very rough field not far from where Pizey had landed. He had no spare inlet-valves with him, but fortunately was able to borrow a couple from Pizey, who also assisted him in fitting them. He said that he had been much bothered by fog and on starting again for Harrogate the mists were also very trouble some. He, however, arrived there safely, although fatigued, and after a rest of four hours re-started for the north. Mists again made the finding of his way a difficult task, especially in clearing chimneys and such like bric-a-brac, which would loom up suddenly out of the haze. On arriving in the vicinity of Newcastle he lost his bearings, and in coming down to find his way broke a wire or two. Procuring a motor car he drove to the control, from there carrying back his mechanics with him, soon completed the repairs, and flew over to the official station. The next position was occupied by Cody, who had had various troubles. A water tube had burst when near Rotherham, and he had to land for 20 mins. to make repairs. Then within 20 miles of Harrogate a petrol tank burst at a height of 1,500 ft., and shutting off his engine Mr. Cody had to plane down. Putting this right he once more ascended, but on reaching Harrogate missed his way, JULY 29, 1911. at Streatley, but unfortunately he chose a cornfield to land in, the skids being caught in the stalks, caused the machine to trip up, with resultant damage to the chassis. Hucks was also in trouble with his engine, and landed at Barton, near Luton. Lieut. Bier was another who was early in difficulties, owing to a defect in the radiator. He came down at Codicote, six miles north of Hatfield, damaging the chassis very severely in the process. Lieut. Reynolds was delayed at Hendon until the evening of Monday, when he was able to get as far as Edlington, near Doncaster, where he had to land for petrol. The only other starter was Audemars, who, after getting to Bedford found the fog too thick and flew back to Hendon, a second trip ending with the same result, after which he decided to retire. Tuesday- Proceedings started early on Tuesdav morning, it being about ten minutes past three when " Beaumont" was timed away from Edin burgh,andaquarterof an hour later he wasfollowed by Vedrines. Both had a trying time in getting to Stirling, the rain and wind over the Pentland Hills making the journey very trying and unpleasant. Both pilots, however, reached Stirling safely, but in view of the persistent rain decided to wait there to see if things would improve. As a matter of fact it was not until twenty-five minutes past seven tha " Beaumont " was once more on his way, Vedrines following him fiv minutes later. On landing at Paisley, " Beaumont" said that the wind and rain, the mountains and the mists had made his journey The first arrival at Edinburgh. Vedrines planing down over the Timekeeper's hut and had perforce to land again in order to obtain his direction. He arrived at Harrogate at 9.42 p.m., and then decided to stop until his petrol tank was repaired. Of the others who failed to complete the control from Hendon to Harrogate, Pixton came down at Spofforth about six miles short and besides badly smashing his machine, so that he was forced to retire, also injured himself slightly. Weymann, who was confused by the railway lines when leaving Doncaster, calculated by his time and speed that he must have passed Harrogate, but on coming down found he was north-east of Leeds. Unfortunately a large crowd quickly assembled and in trying to restart and avoid the people a wheel was broken and so the Gordon-Bennett winner was put out of the running. Lieut. Cammell came down in a wheatfield eight miles east of Wakefield owing to a burst cylinder. Difficulty was experienced in landing and the machine overturning was so much damaged that Lieut. Cammell decided to renounce. De Montalent lost time in leaving Hendon, and landed at Melton Mowbray for petrol. He was further delayed there for a long time, and on starting again only got as far as Wetherby, where he lost his way, and in coming down broke his propeller. Pizey landed at Melton Mowbray in order to change his propeller, but in trying to restart, damaged the chassis of his machine, thus delaying him for the rest of the day. Astley, finding difficulty in getting along owing to fog at Bedford, decided to descend, and landed at Kempston near that town for breakfast. On resuming, the bad buffeting which his machine experienced, brought on sickness, and he landed again therefore at Irthlingborough. Blanchet experienced engine trouble near Luton, and came down most difficult one. Vedrines came in sight of the aerodrome veJy soon after "Beaumont," but apparently did not recognise the ground. To the consternation of his mechanics he flew past. With a view to trying to attract his attention they emptied a can of petrol and started a bonfire, but it was all to no purpose. Having overshot his mark he found great difficulty in getting back, and had to land no less than three times before ultimately reaching the Paisley Race course. In this way he lost 50 minutes, the delay causing him the bitterest disappointment. As if to emphasise his bad luck, just as he was descending " Beaumont " was timed away. After waiting about three-quarters of an hour Vedrines set out on his trail. At Carlisle a great crowd had assembled by 6 a.m., who for over five hours patiently waited, being rewarded at a quarter past eleven by the arrival of " Beaumont." Forty minutes later Vedrines was in sight, and this was the signal for " Beaumont," who had been lying down, snatching a brief rest, to take his place in his machine, and get ready for re-starting. The motor, however, was in a fractious mood, and for eleven minutes refused to start. At length, however, " Beaumont" was away, and heading for " Cottonopolis." Taking the Midland Railway as his guide he got to the east of his proper course. Then, finding his engine was not doing her best, he decided to come down, and was somewhat surprised to find that his landing-place proved to be Settle, in Yorkshire. After making some slight adjustments he was quickly in the air again, reaching Manchester at a quarter to five. Little more than half an hour after "Beaumont had left Carlisle Vedrines started, and he too also lost his way through getting off his course, although his 660
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