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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 1112.PDF
C/0 GHT DECEMBER 23, 1911. PROGRESS OF FLIGHT ABOUT THE COUNTRY. NOTE.—Addresses, temporary or permanent, follow in each case the names of the clubs, where communications of our readers can be addressed direct to the Secretary. We would ask Club Secretaries in future to see that the notes regarding their Clubs reach the Editor of FLIGHT, 44, St. Martin's Lane, London, W.C., by first post Tuesday at latest. Blackheath Aero Club (196, BROCKLEY ROAD, BROCKLEY, S.E.). ON Saturday last many members indulged in a little practice at the Kidbrooke Aerodrome and a new tractor-screw model made its debut, and occasioned a great deal of surprise on account of the wonderful lateral and longitudinal stability possessed by this model, and its constructor, Mr. Rippon, is to be heartily congratulated. The longest distance flown, about 140 yards, does not compare favourably with the long flights made by the twin-propeller models, but,_ nevertheless, it is exceedingly good for this type of machine, equipped as it was with a landing chassis and wheels. The 2\ oz. Victor monoplane flown by Mr. Clark ascended to high altitudes, and it repeatedly flew out of the ground, but the best results obtained with this model were at Blackheath and Lee. At the former ground it covered the J-mile on several occasions, eventually flying a distance of 1,653 ft- '•> however, later on at the Lee Aerodrome it made a splendid flight of 2,265 ft., which is a record for the club. Mr. L. Brough's hydro-monoplane was under test over one of the Blackheath ponds, and although the model was content with a "hop, skip and a jump," the information gained during the experiments should prove valuable, and numerous alterations will be made in the new *' hydro " models now under construction. Messrs. Hunt, Whitworth, and Scott were experimenting with " tractors," and Messrs. Brough, Pizey, Egelstaff, Dodd, and Trask made many excellent flights with the more popular type monoplanes, whilst a biplane made several beautiful ascents ; this being the first biplane to appear at any B.Ae.C. meeting, the change was very much appreciated. To-day (Saturday) there will be impromptu competitions for " distance" and " point-to-point." On Bank Holiday there will be a " duration " event, and another " point-to-point" contest, and flying will commence at 3 p.m. to-day (Saturday), and at 2 p.m. on the 26th inst. In the " p.-to-p." contests competitors will have to fly their models to and from the three points of a triangle—total distance about 500 yards—and the member who returns to the starting point in the least number of flights will be declared the winner. The above competitions will be held at the Kidbrooke Ground, and the usual practice flying will take place at Blackheath and Lee. The secretary (Mr. Clark) will present a rose-bowl to the constructor of the " tractor - screw" model (single and twin screws are eligible) which flies the greatest distance in one flight on any day during the Christmas holidays. The distance will be measured in a straight line from start to finishing point. The following new members were elected:—Mr. W. Drew, of Camberwell; Mr. C. B. Holland, of Brockley ; and Mr. G. Vance, of New Cross. Will members please endeavour to get their "Show" models ready for the Exhibition to be held at the Central Hall, Peckham, on January 4th, and if they will inform the secretary how many and the approximate size of the machines they propose to exhibit, it will greatly facilitate the necessary arrangements. The secretary will supply further particulars to anyone making written application to the above address. Bootle and District Aero Club (late Liverpool Model Aero Club) (39, BROOK ROAD, BOOTLE). AT the general meeting held on the 13th inst., it was decided to change the name of the club as above, owing to the increasing number of members who reside in Bootle and district, and to the fact that more facilities from local people can be obtained by the change. First class certificates are to be issued as under :— Practical.—1,000 ft. straight flight, 40 seconds duration. Both to be completed same day and observed by same person or persons. Theoretical.—I. How does an aerofoil lift? Its action on the air ? 2. Find the pitch of an 8 in. diameter propeller when the angle of the blade at the tip is 45 degrees. State working. 3. Explain what a propeller is. Its action and the difference between a true helix and an ordinary bent wood propeller. 4. Give reasons for supposed instability of a model aeroplane and how would you overcome same ? 5. What is " torque "? What means would you employ to overcome same ? 6. Explain the theory of your own latest model. 7. What is "camber"? State the theory of a cambered surface and why it is a better lifter than a flat plane. 8. What is a " remous " ? On Friday, 15th inst., the Hon. Sec. gave the first public lecture on aviation before a Bootle audience at the Town Hall, his subject being illustrated by a working model of his " Cathedral," fitted with landing chassis and controls, after the Farman type. The lecture was much appreciated, and several gentlemen promised to interest their sons in flying. The model now reposes in the Bootle Museum permanent collection. The Librarian has asked the Hon. Sec. to prepare a list of aeronautical books suitable for the Library, so Bootle members will soon be able to learn a lot without expense. The Brothers Malins have completed the fuselage of a full-sized glider notable for its solidity, strength, and lightness of construction. Brighton and District Model Ae.C. (36, LITTLE PRESTON ST.). A SPLENDID afternoon's flying was experienced at the Brighton- Shoreham Aerodrome on Saturday last. Members mustered strongly in spite of somewhat adverse weather conditions. The club's eight- year old member opened the proceedings with a 50 yard flight on a " Baby " model built by himself. Congratulations to little Sanderson. Bate, who turned up with about a dozen models of different sizes, began by sending one up to a tremendous height. Several times he covered over 300 yards. Von Wichmann, after tuning up competition model, did a 310 yard flight. Knowles also did well. White flew a strange little monoplane, reminding one of Lanchester gliders. Wiedmann nearly terrified some of the members by flying something which sounded like a 50-h. p. Gnome. Altogether too fast to see what it was. Burghope, as usual, flew his 21-ounce " 'bus," getting regular 250 yards spins. He also did over 300 yards with a very fast light model. The afternoon's sport wound up by a sonorous crash —without breaking anything—of a 21-ounce 'bus. Flying to-day (Saturday, 23rd) at Shoreham. Also on Boxing Day. New-year members apply to Mr. A. von Wichmann, " Kingsleigh," Kingsway, Hove. The club has the finest flying ground in Home Counties. No trees at all. Croydon and District Aero Club (129, HIGH STREET). A COMPETITION will be held on Christmas Day on Mitcham Common at II o'clock. There will be three events, viz., height, distance, duration; an entrance fee of 3d. per model will be charged, and three attempts will be allowed. The club are holding meetings every Saturday on the Common at 3 p.m., and the Secretary and members will be pleased to see any prospective members on these occasions. The subscription is is. per month or 3d. per week, which includes use of workshop. Join now, and have some models ready for the Spring competitions. Dover and District Model Ae.C. (21, GODWYNE ROAD, DOVER). A MODEL aero club was started on December 16th, when it was decided to hold the first general flying meeting to-day (Saturday), weather permitting. New members will be welcomed and anyone interested in model aeroplaning should communicate with the hon. secretary, D. Davis, as above. Model aeroplane makers are invited to send catalogues to the secretary. Paddington&DistrictsAe.C.(i33,BucHANANGDNs.,HARLESDEN) FOLLOWING last week's announcement as to change of secre taryship, Mr. A. Hurlin, our late secretary, was unanimously elected to fill the post of competition superintendent, and the following gentlemen were elected to constitute the committee of manage ment :—Messrs. Brooks, Canning, Carter, Weston, and Woolley, the secretary and competition superintendent being ex-officio members of the committee. Messrs. Brooks, Hurlin, Waller, and Weston have offered substantial prizes for models constructed in the club workshop: (1) For model rising under own power and flying greatest distance on last Saturday in April; (2) for the best long distance flyer, points awarded for construction prior to awarding points for flight, on last Saturday in February ; (3) for a duration model competition for same on last Saturday in May; (4) for the best scale model of any full-sized aeroplane, to be judged at end of March. Four new members were elected at last week's committee meeting, which is promising for the close season, and augurs well for keen friendly encounters in the new year. Owing to shortness of daylight and length of journey to flying ground at Parkside, Sudbury, little actual flying is being done, but the club do not intend to let members' interest wane during the winter, which is evinced by Mr. Hurlin's announcement to give a lecture (with demonstrations) to members early in January on "Constructional Details as applied to present-day Models." Results of committee meetings and other important notices are posted in the workshop every Thursday—members please note. Putney & "Wandsworth Flying Club (3. GROVE COTTAGES.S. W,). THE gathering on Saturday last was not very well attended, 1120
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