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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0938.PDF
(/OGHT OCTOBER 28, 1911. ITISH NOTES OF Mr. Pixton Flies from Amesbury to Hayling Island. ON Saturday week last Mr. Pixton made a trip on a Bristol biplane to Hayling Island, mainly with the object of making some flights over the sea. Starting from Amesbury at 2 p.m, with Lieut. Burney, R.N., as passenger, they arrived at Hayling Island at S o'clock, having stopped at Durley, near Eastleigh, for lunch. In addition to the stop for lunch, ihe aviators were handicapped so ar as speed was concerned by a very strong head wind, which they had to battle with. When nearing the sea, the gustiness of the wind contiderably moderated, and the change to a steady current was particularly helpful. After Mr. Pixton's arrival the weather remained so persistently gusty that he was only able to fly on three occasions, the wind going steadily from bad to worse. During all this time the machine was simply tied down on the shore, surrounded by a few bathing machines, as seen in our photograph, a fact which speaks volumes for the high-class workmanship put into the Bristol machines by the constructors. The New Paterson Biplane Makes its D^but. ON Wednesday of last week Compton Paterson tested his new biplane in a field near the Welsh Harp. It rose after a run of 20 yds., and seeing that the balance was perfect Paterson decided, without descending, to take the machine for a trip across country. This, however, was prevented by the petrol-supply pipe becoming choked, which, as he had then attained little height, let him down en pancake on the top of a hedge. Beyond carrying away the landing-chassis and bending the elevator, no damage was done to the machine; and it says something for the strength of the wing construction that, although the machine pulled up on its lower plane, only three ribs went. The machine is again ready for test, and, as he knows the balance to be perfect, Paterson intends flying it straight to Brook lands. Mr. Hucks' Exhibition Tour. DURING his three months' tour, which started on August Bank Holiday, Mr. Hucks has visited Taunton, Burnham, Mine- head, Western-super-Mare, Cardiff, Newport, Cheltenham and •Gloucester, and, notwithstanding the varying state of the weather, upon only two days of the thirty advertised for flying was it found to be too bad to get up, and this in spite of the g< neral unsuitability of the ground from which Mr. Hucks had to start. Altogether about 90 separate flights were made, covering an estimated distance of 1,000 miles. The Gnome engine ran throughout, without as much as a misfire, with the exception of a stop 1,000 ft. up at Cheltenham through want of petrol, owing to the oversight of a mechanic. A fair amount of cross-country work was also put in during the tour, as four of the towns visited were reached by way of the air, beside several point-to-point jaunts and thn e trips across the Bristol Channel. The tour amply demonstrated the general excellence of the B'ackburn monoplane as a machine to really stand hard wear, WEEi while the whole performance reflects great credit upon Mr. Hucks as an aviator. The Ferguson Monoplane. MR. HARRY FERGUSON has now transferred his reconstructed monoplane to the shore of Strangford Lough, a short distance below Newtownards. During some trial flights on the 17th mst. the machine behaved splendidly, and Mr. Ferguson was able to take up several passengers, including a lady. The Wrecked Naval Airship Inquiry. THE work of the Committee of Inquiry as to the cause of the disaster to the Naval airship was concluded on Wednesday of last week, and the Committee will draw up a confidential report for submission to the Admiralty. It is impossible to get any idea as to the nature of the report, but there is a most persistent rumour at Barrow that another airship is to be built. Boots by Aeroplane. ALTHOUGH, of course, it is nothing new for boots to be carried by aeroplane, the first actual parcel of boots to be so carried was taken by Mr. W. B. R. Moorhouse from Huntingdon to Hendon last week. With a parcel containing a dozen pairs strapped on his machine, Mr. Moorhouse left Northampton, to which place he had flown on the previous day from Huntingdon, to fly to Hendon, but when between Fenny Stratford and Bletchley he was obliged to land owing to thick fog. The conditions did not improve during the day, and so he had to wait till the next day, when he completed the journey in fine form. To Aid the Purchaser. MESSRS. MARKHAM AND PRANCE are making a speciality of buying and selling aeroplanes, and are prepared to plice their services at the disposal of anyone wishing to purchase an aeroplane. They also make arrangements to supervise any tests or trials. Their address is Dudley House, Southampton Street. New Model Aeroplane Clubs Suggested. MR. F. W. HALL is taking steps to form a model club in Newcastle, and will be pleased to hear from anyone interested at 100, Cardigan Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Tne recent visit of Mr. Hucks to Cardiff has awakened considerable interest in that district in aviation, and it is proposed to form a model club. The preliminary arrangements are in the hands of Mr. A. C. Moreton, 55, Stacey Road, Roath, Cardiff. A junior model club for members under 16 years of age is being formed at Bristol. Full particulars can be had from Master J. Cavill, 26, Southfield Road, Cotham, Bristol. Mr. E. Howard Pixton and his "Bristol" biplane, which he recently flew from Amesbury to Hayling Island, where he subsequently made some flights under the somewhat trying conditions of the gales which have been blowing in that district. The left-hand view shows the machine just starting for a flight in front of the Royal Hotel, with Lieut. Burney, R.N., and Mr. Farnall Thurston, of the Bristol firm, as passengers. The float under the seat should be noted, which is provided in case the machine should descend into the sea. The right-hand view shows the machine "camped" out for the night between a house and some bathing machines. 940
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