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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0674.PDF
[fiwn CIRCUIT OF BRIIAIN.—Vedrines "at rest" during his compulsory stopping time at Shoreham, before the last lap to Brooklands. There were many people who said it was very wonderful all this flying, but what was the use of it ? The same people said just the same thing in the past with regard to cars, but they had all proved wrong, and they would probably prsve wrong again in regard to flying machines. In this connection M. Vedrines had reminded him of the use of aeroplanes in the recent French manoeuvres, which had entirely revolutionised warfare by the invention of machines that enabled an army to know what their enemy was doing and vice versa. The French nation were undoubtedly leading in this respect as they also led in regard to dirigibles. They were the only people who had invented an airship which had travelled at 62 k.p.h. and sailed out to its destination and returned again, as previously arranged. People were apt to exaggerate the dangers of aviation, as they had exaggerated motor dangers, but in both cases the accidents were rather due to mistakes of inexperience than to defects in the machines. He hoped now that the practicability of the machines had been demonstrated, the Government and authorities would put themselves more into line with the French in the work of developing the science on practical lines. In happy words, Lord Northcliffe compared flying men, as typified by Lieut. Conneau AUGUST 5, 1911. and M. Vedrines, who were working side by side in aviation. Conneau's science and naval training had served him in splendid stead, as, for instance, in the fog that they struck soon after the start. Vedrines as the mechanic type was the heart of the whole movement as in the early car races. _ It was the marvellous and untiring vitality, mechanics, and judgment of what to do that enabled the Frenchmen to win nearly all the races. The makers, by working on tried lines, had evolved a really efficient flying machine, and the one thing they had still to do was to learn how to fly the machines slowly. He was happy to say that no accidents to speak of had occurred in connection with the Circuit, and the whole race had given magnificent evidence of the perfect organisation of the Royal Aero Club. Many difficulties stood in the way of aviation in England, not the least—prejudice to anything new. The French were always ready to investigate new ideas; in England anything new invoked the query " What's wrong with it?" The same occurred in the past with the screw, the iron ship, and many other innovations. In time no- doubt that would be got over. The great lessons taught by the Circuit had been the future type of machine which might be expected to predominate and that a scientific training was a huge advantage in the game. It behoved England of all nations to see that they utilised to the greatest the best scientific talent which they possessed to ensure the future paramount position in aviation. Lieut. Conneau, in reply, spoke in English, and expressed his sincere thanks and admiration to the Daily Mail and Lord Northcliffe for their great help to aviation, and the Royal Aero Club for their splendid organisation of so difficult a circuit. By his reception by King George the previous day a great honour had been done to aviation rather than to him personally. Although the French, he said, commenced things, it was the English who in their practical way improved upon that work and perfected what they had commenced. M. Vedrines, who spoke in French, had nothing but praise for his rival, in spite of the fact that he had done him so much monetary harm, although there was nobody by whom he would sooner have been beaten. They had flown over mountains, against wind and rain together, and had been at work from dawn until night time. He was not in the least envious, but at the same time he wished he had won the prize, for the sake of his little girl. As it was, he only wished to join hands with M. Conneau as brothers at the termination of their great journey. M. Conneau also spoke further with similar sentiments, this time in French. The toast of "The Daily Mail" coupled with the name of Lord Northcliffe, was proposed by Mr. Roger Wallace, K.C., and briefly replied to by Lord Northcliffe. CIRCUIT OF BRITAIN.—Hamel leaving Chryston on his Bleriot. 676
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