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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0675.PDF
AUGUST 5, 1911. [/OCHT more realism. The " Baby " flew particularly steadily, considering the velocity of the wind—this being undoubtedly due to the co incidence of the centres of thrust and head resistance on this biplane of Grahame- White's. After the flights, which were of the usual exhibition order, the three aviators were kept busy for some considerable time signing autographs. The incident which led up to this occurred with great suddenness, changing a scene of utmost tranquillity into one of great animation. " Beaumont " and Vedrines were seated at a table outside the refreshment tent. The aviators were conversing quietly together, and a throng of people had gathered silently around. Outside the ring an energetic compatriot of the two Frenchmen was disposing of picture post-cards, and his oft-reiterated cry, " Bo-mon Vedrten po-car" sounded monotonous in the hot air, when a little girl in white made her way quietly to the side of the aviators, and placed before each a post-card of himself with a copying-ink pencil, request ing an autograph. Instantly the scene was all animation. There was no longer any necessity for the post-card man to call out, a rush was made by all and sundry, including many French visitors who were there in honour of their countrymen. The aviators good- naturedly complied with many of the requests, whether in autograph albums, on post-cards, leaves from notebooks, and even white gloves, until they became so numerous that they were forced to flee. During the afternoon Mme. Clara Butt presented to " Beaumont " and Vedrines, on behalf of the Aerodrome officials, silver cups in commemoration of the event. Whilst the presentations were made Vedrines held fast to a copy of FLIGHT, which later was taken care of by Mme. Vedrines, a petite lady in black. In addition to his cup, Vedrines " benefited " to the extent of over ^800, proceeds of the afternoon's exhibition, including a cheque for 100 guineas pre sented by Mr. Mortimer Singer. Lieut. Conneau and M. Vedrines, the two great rivals in the Circuit of Britain, at tea together at Hendon Aerodrome on Saturday last. VEDRINES' BENEFIT AT HENDON. BOTH from a financial and a spectacular point of view, Vedrines' benefit at the London Aerodrome was a great success. It was a happy thought on the part of Mr. Grahame-White, this benefit pro posal (although we should like to have seen it extended to some of the other very deserving pilots), and from the crowd that gathered to witness the flights one could readily estimate the amount of public appreciation Vedrines had earned by his plucky fight with " Beaumont "for the Daily Mailprize. No doubt Vedrines goes back to France with a better opinion of the English public's enthusiasm for flying than he possessed after his arrival at Hendon in the Circuit of Europe. Fully 50,000 must have witnessed the display, for not only were the enclosures comfortably filled, but every point of vantage in the district was black with spectators. Vedrines' arrival from Brooklands on his Morane aeroplane just after 4 o'clock was received with rounds of cheers—and no wonder, for nothing could have been more appropriate for the occasion than this flight in reminiscence of his previous Saturday's display. In spite of a tricky wind, which averaged 30 miles an hour, both " Beau mont" and Grahame-White flew mag nificently. The former made use of Audemars' Gnome-Bleriot with the " 3 " of the No. " 13 " painted on its wings obliterated in order to introduce a bit "Beaumont" Received by the King. SINCE his accession to the Throne King George has shown in several ways his great interest in all departments of scientific progress, and it was therefore hardly surprising, although very gratifying, that he should send for the winner ot the Daily Mail prize. In response to the King's message, Lieut. Conneau visited Buckingham Palace on Thursday morning, and on being conducted to the King's presence by Major Clive Wigram, the Equerry- in attendance, spent some twenty minutes in describing to His Majesty various incidents of the flight. VEDRINES' BENEFIT AT HENDON AERODROME ON SATURDAY LAS r.—Vedrines receiving the commemorative cup from Mdme. Clara Butt. Immediately beyond Vedrines are standing Mr. Harold E. Perrin, the Secretary of the Royal Aero Club (left), and Mr. C. F. Pollock, one of the Royal Aero Club Stewards. Note that Vedrines did not relax his hold of FLIGHT even when receiving the trophy. 677
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