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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0911.PDF
OCIOBBR 21, 1911. FROM THE BRITISH Brooklands Aerodrome. FOG has been much in evidence at Brooklands during the past week, preventing any attempts on the Michelin Cup by the pilots who have been holding themselves in readiness down here. Thurs day was one of those fine still days which we look forward to in the autumn, but was marred, unfortunately, by the accident to E. V. Fisher and Johnson on the Vickers monoplane. There was just a slight haze after breakfast when Fisher brought his machine out for a spin. It flew very nicely for a few circuits, and Fisher decided to try and take a passenger. Accordingly Johnson climbed into the passenger seat and they started off. The machine did not seem to rise very quickly, and was only about 50 feet when it was necessary to turn. Those watching saw the machine bank over heavily, slide in and dive on to its nose, completely wrecking itself. Fisher was taken off the ground unconscious, but I am glad to be able to report that he is progressing very favourably now, having sustained a slight concussion, whereas Johnson is about again as lively as a cricket. Kemp was out on the Flanders monoplane flying circuits at about 60 ft. He intended going for the Michelin, but it was found that various adjustments were required, and so the only fine day of the week was unfortunately lost. Raynham on the Avro was flying about 500 ft., but was not satisfied with the propeller, as the engine was revolving too quickly. Chataway, of the Deperdussin School, was making good straight flights, and Baldwin and Sabelli were follow ing on the taxi. The Elephantoplane was making half circles over the river, but had to adjourn owing to a broken valve rocker. Pizey, the Bristol pilot, was giving instructions to Capt. Harrison and afterwards to Maj. Benwell, and Lieut. Harford made some good straight flights. Mrs. Hewlett and Blondeau were flying on their British-made Farman, the latter at about 10 ft. off the ground in his usual style. Longstaffe, the Howard-Wright pilot, rose to about 500 ft. on his machine, going very strongly. In the evening the Deperdussin School swarmed out, Capt. Richey, Game and Chataway doing circuits in fine style. Chataway had rather an exciting experience. After flying a circuit he attempted to land, but found that the short-circuiting wire to the magneto had broken loose, so that he could not switch off. Seeing the sewage farm looming up before him, he was struck by the brilliant idea of crawling inside the body and turning the petrol off. He was lucky ; he brought the machine to rest about 1 ft. off the farm ! Lieut. Chinnery made some good straight flights ; we expect to see him doing circuits soon. Raynham took the Avro biplane out for a spin, and afterwards handed the machine over to S. V. Sippe, who flew a few circuits at about 300 ft. Kemp came out with the Flanders monoplane, and flew for some time. The Elephantoplane essayed a circuit, but, unfortunately, when over the sewage farm, the engine dropped a few revolutions. Blackman valiantly tried to keep the machine up, but it was no good, and it settled down, luckily on a fairly dry patch. However, practically no damage was done, only a couple of wires being broken. This says a good deal for the soundness of construction and strength of the machine. Maurice Ducrocq came out, and disappeared in the direction of Weybridge, returning later, after having made a big circuit over the surrounding country. Friday was very foggy, but this did not prevent Ducrocq and Raynham from testing their machines. Later on in the day the fog grew very thick, but Ducrocq took a passenger round several circuits. The machine was quite invisible at about fifty yards. The Birdling monoplane was having an engine test, and was not running at all satisfactorily. v Saturday morning was rather misty. Raynham wanted to go to Hendon to start for the Michelin, so went up 1,000 ft. to see if the fog was too bad for cross-country work. He decided it was, and so came down to wait for it to lift. Sad to relate, the fog steadily grew worse. Spencer was out flying several circuits, and afterwards Frank Ballard made some good straight flights. Pizey took up Major Benwell and Capt. Harrison, and Kemp flew a few circuits on the Hardens. During the morning Lieut. Harford, one of the Bristol pupils, was told by his instructor, Collyns Pizey, that he could attempt a tum. He went up, and after making one circuit decided to do a figure 8. This he successfully accomplished in good style, though he was rather low. Owing to the weather, Sunday and Monday were, so far as flying was concerned, dies non. • •" —^) Tuesday was very windy until about 5 o'clock in the evening, when Fleming, of the Bristol school, made a couple of circuits. Afterwards Capt. Harrison had some rolling practice. Rippen brought out the Hanriot for the first time for a month or so, but it was rather dark, and the smoke from the engine got in his eyes, and 0O5HT) FLYING GROUNDS. he finished up on the sewage farm. However, no damage was done, and the machine was got out in about 10 minutes. Bell did some circuits on the 28-h.p. Deperdussin in the evening, and on Sunday morning Raynham flew a few circuits on the Avro biplane. The latest departure of the Deperdussin firm made its appearance this afternoon. It is more or less a pocket edition of an aeroplane, having an exceedingly small span and length. It is fitted with the latest 28-h.p. Anzani, and is credited with a speed of 70 m.p.h. Mr. A. V. Roe has decided to dismantle the Farman, which has carried off so many prizes this year, and fit the Gnome engine into the Avro biplane which will be built to suit it. T. Sopwith's Howard-Wright has arrived from America, and his Bleriot two- seater and Wright are expected shortly. It is expected that he will go for the Michelin distance prize. Filey School (Blackburn Aeroplane Co.). ON Tuesday last week Mr. H. Scott, who has recently joined the Filey School, made his first trials alone. He was out doing useful rolling practice for about 3 J hours continuously. Altogether he put in a very good day's work, at the termination of which he could keep a straight course at full speed with tail well up. Wednesday opened out an ideal day, flying being in progress for no less than 5 hours. At 10 a.m. two of the school 'buses were brought out, one being Mr. H. Oxley's passenger machine on which pupils make their first passenger flights with the instructor. The seats on this machine face each other, so that the pupil can watch all the movements of the instructor. Mr. R. J. Weiss was the first passenger with Mr. Oxley. It will be remembered that Mr. Weiss was a pupil some time ago, but after a very short stay, he had to leave the school on business. He has now returned to resume his tuition course. Mr. R. Blackburn (the designer of the Blackburn mono plane) next went up as a passenger, and took some very interesting photographs whilst flying at a height of 100 to 150 ft. Scott then made one or two trips with Oxley, after which he went out alone on the other machine. He put in about three hours' rolling practice, which may be considered a fair time for one day's work. Oxley made fourteen passenger trips in all, carrying Mr. Metcalf, a 913
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