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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0107.PDF
FEBRUARY 3, 1912. biplane, and Partridge making hops on the school " Dep.", was showing great progress. Pizey was out giving instructions to Lieut. Carfrae for 15 mins., while Weeding did 8's, and Smith, Lane and Nesham flew straights. Raleigh was up later with Pizey, then Weeding did solos, and Merrian 8's. In the afternoon the sudden appearance of Cody on his machine caused great interest. After gliding down for some distance at a very fine angle, he switched on his engine, as he was not certain of reaching the aerodrome and did not want his propeller to stop turning. Everyone was anxious to examine his machine, which is the old one he had at the Lanark meeting, but which has been fitted with a 120-h.p. Austrian Daimler engine. On coming to ground it was found that he had again stripped some of the fabric from one of the rudders, through the terrific propeller draught. While this was being remedied, Sopwith took his 70-h.p. Gnome-Bleriot out, and flew circuits in fine form with Cody as passenger, giving exhibitions of the diving and climbing powers of his machine. When Cody's rudder was repaired he started off, making the machine climb at an appallingly steep angle. It certainly is an incongruous sight to see a big heavy-looking biplane climb more steeply than any light single- seater monoplane. It was no freak angle owing to abnormal speed on the ground, but continued until he was about 400 ft. up, when he throttled the engine down and turned, coming back over the heads of the spectators. He then dived slightly and left hold of the controls. On returning to ground, a discussion arose between Cody and Sopwith on the speeds of their respec tive machines, so a most interesting trial ensued. It then appeared that the Cody machine was actually faster than Sopwith's, which does about 65 m.p.h., so the biplane's speed must very nearly approach 70 m.p.h. Cody next proceeded to simultaneously take as passengers three of our best known pilots, namely Gilmour, Sopwith and Valentine, who appeared to thoroughly enjoy their trip. He then set off home with Young as passenger, getting his altitude in a very short while. We hear later that he got to Farnborough in eight minutes ! There was a rival attraction to flying to-day, namely, skating. A few enthusiasts were on the ice till midnight, one of them, Pizey, having the misfortune to fall in up to his neck. A change of clothes, however, was procured from the Heath Club, when he resumed skating. The arrival of Lang's wind waggon, fitted with Gnome and propeller, proved a great success and gained laurels as a passenger carrier, going round the track with five up at alxnit 55 ni-P-h. On Tuesday, Partridge was flying straights on the Deperdussin, having made remarkable progress ; also Gill, on the other machine. All the Bristol pupils were out, Merrian flying his figures of 8 for his tests, but failing on the landing. When Partridge was over the sewage farm his engine failed him, causing him to drop into that salubrious spot. Luckily the frost had hardened the surface, and the only damage was a broken strut. Mr. Frank McClean in flight at the Royal Aero Club's Eastchurch flying grounds on his Short tractor biplane. [/JJGHT Giovanni Fabelli and the 3CMi.p. Anzani-engined military Deperdussin racing monoplane. Signor Sabelli is the first Italian to secure his brevet at Brooklands. His vol planes are executed in exceptionally fine style. Freshfield Aercdrom?. near Liverpool. AFTER a seemingly interminable succession of gales and storms, a few fairly calm clays during the lasl week have enabled Planes, Ltd., to continue their experiments with their new type of monoplane. With Fenwick at the wheel the machine gives every indication of being as uccess. Though nothing sensational has been attempted, altogether considerably over a hundred miles have been flown without any faults developing, and the numerous starting and landing tests show that the simple chassis and entire machine are thoroughly up to their work. Although up to the present the trials have as far as possible been kept secret, something is likely to be heard of this machine in the near future. London Aerodrome, Collindale Avenue, Hendon. Grabame-White School.—Very windy weather on Wednesday last week kept the pupils in the workshops all day. A splendid day followed on Thursday, the school being at work from early morning till dusk, three of the school machines doing continuous work. Most of the pupils were present morning and afternoon, under the direction of Lewis Turner, who started the day's work on biplane No. 2, followed by Biard doing good straights on No. 3, Fowler doing circuits on same machine, but had to descend for ignition plugs to be changed. Turner then took up the machine for test, found engine running well, so turned it over to Kaphaite for rolling practice ; and at intervals during the day the machine was used for straights by Lieut. Stopford, Major Liles, and Biard. Fowler and Turner also had biplane No. I out, the former making straights and Turner testing the engine and making circuits at intervals. In the afternoon Turner was out on No. 2 machine, taking up in turn Major Liles, Lieut. Stopford, Biard, and Fowler for instruction in making right and left-hand turns. Theoretical instruction only was given on Friday, and next day was too gusty for air work, Sunday was a fine day, and Turner and Gates were early upon the scene with biplane No. 1 for a couple of hours, Turner making some fine circuits, and Gates straights with good landings. Grahame Gilmour arrived during the afternoon, and taking out the Martin- Handasyde made some splendid flights, banking in fine fashion. Lewis Turner was out making circuits on Monday morning on No. 2 biplane, but had to discontinue owing to rising wind, and the school then adjourned for theoretical work. In the afternoon, however, the wind dropped somewhat, and Clement Gresswell, chief instructor, had biplane No. 2 out for several circuits, flying at a height of about 400 ft., afterwards taking up as a passenger, for three circuits, Miss Campbell. He was followed by Fowler, who continually flew circuits till dark. During the afternoon Raphaite, Biard, Major 107
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