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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0036.PDF
[/ycm] FROM THE BRITISH Brighton-Shoreham Aerodrome. MR. M. CHANTER continued the tests of his new monoplane, and put one of the Bleriots through its paces on Wednesday last week. At day-break the following morning, De Villiers was in the air with some good straight flights, and on Tuesday Mr. Chanter was testing a 40-h.p. Anzani-Bleriot which has been undergoing a complete overhaul; while Gassier and De Villiers were putting in more useful practice. On Monday we were hoping to see Mr. F. B. Fowler of East bourne, as it was arranged that he should alight here on his way from Beaulieu, but fate was against him, and he "landed" in the Solent. Next week we may be able to report his safe arrival here as we feel sure that his zeal is not damped, notwithstanding the ducking he experienced on Monday. Brooklands Aerodrome. ON Wednesday last week the wind was gusty and treacherous, and Fleming, after making a trial on the Bristol, decided that it was too bad for pupils. However, he took up Lieut. Smith in the passenger's seat for a while. Later, Pizey, who has returned from Salisbury Plain, took this pupil up again, Merrian also being up as passenger with Fleming. At the Deperdussin school, Sabelli put in two circuits on the brevet machine, and later Gill flew his first circuit in irreproachable style, his landing being exceptionally good. Cadet Wheeler then took the air for 20 minutes on the Bristol, at well over 2,500 ft., finishing with a good vol plane' and landing. After this there was no flying owing to the bad weather until Monday last, when it was calm and frosty. Quite an eventful day ensued as three pilots obtained their brevets. Sippe on the Avro got through in excellent style, passing the second half in under 5 mins. Game is another to the long list of the Bristol school's successes, and Graham Wood scores for the Hewlett Blondeau school. Percival was out on his biplane, ostensibly for the purpose of testing the strength of his wing construction, as on one occasion he brought the machine down on one wing tip. Great was the surprise of spectators on finding that only the end rib was damaged. This machine should fly very well indeed when fitted with a propeller which will allow the engine to turn at its normal number of revolutions, and when the warp has been made somewhat more effective than at present. Pizey was up with Lieut. Smith aj passenger, getting him accus- Sydney V. Sippe, who has just secured his certificate ion an Avro biplane. JANUARY 13, 1912. FLYING GROUNDS. tomed to altitude and S-curve vol plane's. Then he carried Merrian for landing practice, the latter afterwards making straight lines, and showing signs of improvement. At the Deperdu:-sin school, Gill and Sabelli both flew good circuits on the brevet machine, the latter having an unpleasant experience. When at about 40 ft. the engine seized, causing the bolts through the propeller-boss to shear. In consequence the propeller flew off, striking the landing-chassis en route. Sabelli, however, landed without further damage. Gill then put in two circuits on the 35-h.p. machine, which, by the way, has now been fitted with a new Y-type, Anzani. Weighing only 55 kilogs., it gives 35-h.p. at 1,450 revs., and is a great improve ment on the old type, while pilots are no longer subjected to "the little oil-bath " as before. It has also stood up to a 9-hours' test on the bench. Young and Setti practised on the Avro, the latter doing circuits. Kemp had the Vickers out for two circuits, then Fisher went for straight flights, as, after his long abstinence from flying,, he is not quite at home in the machine. Pizey went up again, this time with Lane and Nesham, for instruction in handling control lever. Merrian then did four straights, and afterwards four circuits,, coming down from 70 ft. en vol plant'. Wind and rain then put an end to the proceedings. On Tuesday, Gill flew some circuits on the 35-h.p. Deperdussin, and, continuing his progress, made excellent landings. Hunter was out on the Humphreys, which has been fitted with new empennage, and is flying better. Sippe was at work on the Viale-Avro, doing well, as usual, later Young doing rolling practice. A most regrettable accident occurred towards the end of the afternoon. Pullen, who has been working on the Humphreys monoplane for some time, had been attempting to start up the engine (which is- fitted with dual ignition) on this machine. After giving the propeller a swing he stood back for an instant, and apparently thinking that the pilot had switched on, but that the engine would not fire, stepped back again just as the pilot switched on. The propeller struck him on the arm and leg, most unfortunately breaking both limbs. Some spectators were luckily able to render first aid, and thanks must be given to the owner of the car in which Pullen was taken to the hospital, as difficulty was experienced in obtaining the loan of the car which is usually hired for taking people to the station. This accident unhappily proves that dual-ignition by no means does away with the danger attendant to propeller swinging, and shows the necessity for both pilot and mechanic to methodically repeat the words " contact " and " off " (or their equivalents) when necessary. In this case no blame whatever is due to the pilot, who could not see Pullen step forward to give another swing-over. Filey School (Blackburn Aeroplane Co.). SEVERAL pupils were away spending Christmas holidays, and so on the last day of the old year advantage was taken by Mr. Black burn to enjoy a few starts. He was out from 3 o'clock till dark, putting in some good short flights, handling the Isaacson Blackburn monoplane in grand style. Another Blackburn and two Bleriot monoplanes have been undergoing thorough overhauling by mechanics during pupils' absence. The New Year was begun by Mr. Blackburn and Brereton, the new pilot, late of the Bristol school, when some good manoeuvres were executed, some finishes in grand style being witnessed. The rest of the week was spent in overhauling machines in hangars, as the pupils had not returned from their holidays. School will be in full swing next week, when some good flying is expected. London Aerodrome, Collindale Avenue, Hendon. Grahame-"White School. — Although the weather has been consistently bad during the past week, the school has put in a fair amount of practice, several of the more enthusiastic pupils being in evidence each day, with a view to improving their mechanical and constructional knowledge in the works, among those always on hand being Raphaite and Biard, who, whenever there was an interval from the rain and wind, were practising rolling on the School Farman No. 3. Tuesday, however, showed a return to something like normal weather conditions and a pretty busy day was put in at the school. Clement Gresswell, the chief pilot, was out for a solo flight early in the afternoon on the school Farman No. 2, prior to taking up Biard in the passenger's seat for instruction, he being quickly followed by Fowler who put in some excellent straight flights with good landings, followed by Raphaite. During the afternoon, the new Sommer biplane, built by Messrs. Hyerman and Warren, fitted with 60-h.p. Aster engine, wa' in the hands of the engineers testing, the engine running well and the machine now looking in fine trim.i 1 This day, also, saw the arrival, from France, of Mr. Robert Lorraine's new 70-h.p., two-seater, Nieuport, and Mr. T. O. M. 36
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