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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0629.PDF
JULY 13, 1912. I/JTJGHT LADIES' DAY, HENDON. " HENDON " weather was again responsible for some alteration in the arrangements for last Saturday's programme at the London Aerodrome. It was to have been a red-letter day for British . • ___^. .... . . ^H If JK » L 1 BSL • p~ KEuHF •J gj^OV 3 I * 1 T^f""' • 1 I^JB S^~ "Flight" Ccpyright. Mrs. de Beauvoir Stocks, the only lady pilot to fly at Hendon on Ladies' Day last Saturday. aviation, for special competitions had been arranged for lady pilots, the first ever held. These competitions, however, had to be cancelled, owing to the risky nature of the wind, especially for lady pilots. It was a pity, for there was a very good attendance, in spite of the great counter-attraction of Royal Henley. It is to be hoped, however, that the Women's Aerial League, under whose auspices the meeting was held, will be able to arrange another ladies' day for some future date. The principal part of the programme being declared off, however, did not prevent some very fine races from taking place by the men pilots. After a few trial flights by some of the pilots, including Hamel, who cut things rather fine in the banking line, a cross-c juntry event was started. The course was a double journey to Elstree and back, there being four starters :—Hamel, 50-h.p. Bleriot (scratch), Verrier, Maurice Farman biplane (I min. 33 sees, start), J. L. Travers, Grahame-White-Farman biplane (10 min. 50 sees.) and Turner, Howard Wright biplane (12 min. 14 sees.). This race proved to be another disappointment, for Haniel and Turner were the only ones to finish the complete course, although the former did not cross the finishing line properly and the latter fouled one of the pylons at the start. Verrier, for some reason or the other, was waved down as soon as he started, and Travers also came down after completing one circuit. In view of the above happenings, therefore, the race was necessarily declared void. The next event was a speed handicap in two heats of four laps each and a final of six laps. Three started in the first heat, viz., Hamel, Bleriot (scratch); Sabelli, Deperdussin (1 min. 36 sees, start); and Travers, Grahame-White-Farman (2 mins. 6 sees.). Hamel did not start un;il Travers and Sabelli were finishing their first lap. The finish of this heat was very close, Hamel passing Sabelli at pylon No. 3 and Travers at pylon No. 6 in the last lap, finishing 9 seconds ahead of Sabelli, who was second, having passed Travers just before the line—one second ahead. Turner on the Howard Wright, with 2 mins. 32 sees, start, and Verrier at scratch, flew in the second heat, which was won by the former by 33 seconds. The final of six laps proved to be one of the most exciting yet seen at Hendon. Hamel was scratch, Sabelli had 2 mins. 24 sees, start, and Turner 3 mins. 54 sees. Turner had covered two circuits before Hamel started, but the latter gained on his rivals very rapidly, and at the finish all three machines came down the straight together ; Turner first, Sabelli second, 1^ seconds behind, and Hamel third, 3 seconds behind Sabelli. Just before the final Verrier took up a passenger on the Maurice Farman biplane, and was up again after the speed contest had finished. Hamel also gave an exhibition flight. Then Mrs. Stocks made three circuits of the aerodrome on the Anzani-Bleriot. She flew exceedingly well, the monoplane being very steady indeed ; she made a good landing, too, though just a trifle " bouncy." This flight certainly deserved the round of applause accorded it at the finish. Another speed contest was then arranged, to take the place of the cross-country race, this time lady passengers being carried. There were two heats and a final of four laps each, the starters being Hamel (Bleriot), Desoutter (Bleriot), Sabelli (Deperdussin), Verrier, with Mrs. Stocks (Maurice Farman), Turner, with Mrs. Gates (Howard Wright), and Travers (Grahame-White- Farman). The first heat was flown by Verrier and Mrs. Stocks (scratch), Sabelli, on the 35-h.p. Anzani-Deperdussin (40 sees, start), and Travers (1 min. 20 sees.). Verrier came in fir=t in fine style, about 3 sees, in front of Travers. In the second heat, Turner, with Mrs. Gates, had 3 mins. 4 sees, start, and Desoutter, who was flying the Anzani-Bleriot, got 1 min. 56 sees., while Hamel was scratch. This heat went to Turner, Hamel losing by 21 sees., but getting a place in the final. Some amusement was then caused by Hamel, who instead of descending and lining up for the final, indulged in a little trick flying, while everyone who could get hold of a flag attempted to wave him down. When at last he did come down, and the final was about to start, out came Mr. Barber on the Valkyrie monoplane, and gave one of his old exhibitions of "hands off" flying—to the accompaniment of more flag wagging. At last a start was made for the final heat, which ended in a very close finish 629 " Flight • Mrs, Stocks flying on the Bleriot monoplane at Ladies' Day, and winning the Daily Mirror Copyright. Hendon on prize. C 2
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