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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 1081.PDF
DECEMBER 16, 1911. [/ycHf FROM THE BRITISH FLYING GROUNDS. Royal Aero Club Flying Ground, Eastchureh. STRONG south-westerly gales prevailed for the greater part of last week at Eastchurch, and prevented very much flying being done. On Wtdnesday there was an improvement, and Mr. V. A. Barrington Kennett (of the London Territorial Balloon Corps) made his first solo flight on the 70-h.p. Short biplane. After making several short straight flights he took the machine up to about 70 ft., and at that height put in a complete circuit of the ground, making his first turn in a very neat manner, and finishing with only the slightest of " pancakes" quite close to some trees on the outskirts of the ground. No further practice was possible until Saturday, when Mr. Alec Ogilvie, on his N.E.C.-engined Wright, and Mr. Frank McClean, on the Short twin-engine machine, were both out flying in a very strong wind, Mr. McClean carrying several passengers during the afternoon. At one time Ogilvie, who had risen to a height of some 600 ft., appeared from the ground to be quite stationary, having apparently s-truck a very rapid current of air from the south-west. Some excellent flying was witnessed on Tuesday. Lieut. Samson was out first on the Short twin-engine machine, and made a long flight in a wind of considerable force. Although the wind currents were somewhat gusty Lieut. Samson found the machine extremely steady in the air. In the afternoon the wind abated greatly, and by 4 p.m. a dead calm prevailed. At this time Lieut. Longmore, who was out on the B16riot, made an excellent flight of about 15 minutes duration, finishing with a very neat landing close to the sheds. The Short twin-engine machine was also out again, this time piloted by Captain Gerrard, with Lieut. Gregory as a passenger. The two officers made a long flight during which they passed over Sheerness harbour, and recognised many of the warships at anchor there. For the greater pirt of the flight Captain Gerrard kept the machine at an altitude of nine hundred feet without any appreciable variation, this height being checked by two aneroids, both of which read alike. Brighton-Shoreham Aerodrome. ON Wednesday, last week, Lieut. J. C. Porte gave a masterly demonstration on the passenger Deperdussin, after which Mr. Charteris had the pleasure of joining him for several turns round the aerodrome. In the Chanter school, De Villiers and Gassier were doing straight flights on Tuesday, and Wednesday saw Gassier putting in further similar practice. There has been some delay in connection with the engine for the Collyer-England biplane, but this machine should soon be on the wing again. Brooklands Aerodrome. KEMP, on Wednesday last week, was out first on the Vickers, and put in two or three circuits, but owing to one cylinder missing was obliged to come down en vol plant from 800 feet. Chataway, on the Deperdussin, went in for the first half of his ticket early, and the second half later, passing in quite good style. The Walton-Edwards machine was flying in still better form, managing to execute a half-circle round the sewage farm. Spencer and Raynham were also out doing circuits and taking passengers. The latter contrived to do this by removing the large petrol tank from the Viale-Avro, and making the passenger kneel facing him. Scarcely the most comfortable position for a long cross-country flight, but quite effective, and one which caused some amuse ment. Gilmour was out on the Martin-Handasyde, circling the ground at a good altitude. Sabelli took a short trip on the Deperdussin, which, after he had relinquished it, Wilkins succeeded in completely disintegrating on the river bank. PulJing it up off the ground rather too steeply for a machine of that power, he made a straight flight across the grass in a somewhat cabri position. Accounts vary as to the exact cause of the smash, but Wilkins himself thinks it was due to a remous. The machine fell only a yard or so from the stream, the pilot himself fortunately escaping without a scratch. Later, both Spencer and Lieut. Snowden Smith were in the air, the latter, as usual, on his Hewlett-Blondeau racing Farman. On Thursday the weather was too bad for any flying, as was also Friday, with the exception of a short period late in the afternoon, which Gilmour took advantage of by putting in several circuits on the Martin-Handasyde, while Raynham was up on the Avro. Saturday, too, was by no means an ideal day for flying, but the Avro, Bristol, Walton-Edwards, Spencer, and the Martin-I landasyde were all at work. The last-named was piloted as usual by Gilmour, who indulged in some " stunts " to amuse the crowd. This he did by banking at forty-five degrees, switchbacking, and diving. Raynham first took out the Avro, then Sippe, who did one circuit in very good style, landing faultlessly. On account of the terrific wind and rain, Sunday was too bad for any flying, Monday being fairly unpleasant also as regards wind. The Walton-Ed wards and the Avro, however, were out for engine- testing purposes, but did not leave the ground. On Tuesday morning Raynham was out first, as usual, on the Viale-Avro, taking it outside the track over Chertsey, followed by Sippe, who accomplished several circuits and figures of eight. Later in the morning the Walton-Edwards did straight lines up and down the ground. The Humphreys monoplane, which has spent a long period in its shed being repaired, once more made a reappearance. After a preliminary test of the 6oh.p. Green engine had ben made, the machine was taken out by Gordon Bell. Running down the ground on obviously less than half-throttle, the pilot and spectators were intensely surprised to see the machine rise from the earth and climb. Bell tried to bring her down again, but was unable to in the ordinary way, as the control was at the limit of its forward move ment ; so, on switching off the engine, the machine gently "pan caked " without any damage. Hunter then bravely volunteered to go as a passenger in order to bring the nose down somewhat, and took his seat accordingly, but without causing the desired effect, as the machine still insisted on rising when running at apparently well under 20 m.p.h. When Game also offered and was taken, together with Hunter, the machine still behaved in the same way, with the engine throttled down. This speaks well for the " beef" developed by the Green, and when the latter has been tuned up an attack on the existing three-passenger monoplane records is to be attempted. Grabame Gilmour in the biplane, in its latest form New Martin-Handasyde monoplane. In the background is the Walton-Edwards at the Brooklands aerodrome. This very substantial machine is now carrying out flights on the grounds. IO89
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