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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0693.PDF
AUGUST 3, 1912. I/JIGHT THE MILITARY AEROPLANE COMPETITION. AT last the actual event, so long awaited, is upon us, and all eyes in the world of flight are diiected, metaphorically speaking, towards Salisbury Plain. That place has at any rate been the Mecca of the modern aeroplane during the last few weeks, and assembled on its green turf is the best of what the brain of man been struck by the fact that army officers themselves were in no way unanimously decided as to the precise aspect or aspects that properly should be most encouraged in the military aeroplane. It was, after all, hardly to be expected that this should be otherwise, for it is only the ignorant who are fearless of laying down the law of opinion THE MILITARY COMPETITIONS.—The pilots' quarters on Salisbury Plain. "Flight" Copyright. has thus far devised in the way of flying machines. It means a great deal, this contest, and its importance is hardly to be measured by present events. Those who were in the House of Commons on that memorable occasion when Col. Seely discussed the whole question of the trial with those most likely to be interested in it, will primarily see in the present occasion the fulfilment of the anticipation that was then engendered. But, those who also look into the future and hope for an evolution in aerial navigation comparable, if dissimilar, with the expmsion that has occurred in the automobile, must see in the doings at Salisbury the foreshadowing of many things. As a race, we are prone to exhibit a very proper conservatism that suits well with our traditions and our temperament, though it is exasperating to the enthusiasm of the pioneer. ThankfuU . we may be, however, that this, our national and official habi»j>>' is set off by another characteristic that tends to accelerate ov^>" development at the psychological time. It has been difficult to engender even an apparent interest in aviation on the part of the authorities for whom aviation has most meaning at the moment, but now that the Government has aroused itself to take some concern in the purpose of flight, we may hope with some assurance for future developments to be in keeping with our national dignity. And, so, it is above all things to be desired that the present trials should assist responsible persons to fix their opinions on debatable points in this matter. Those who have taken the trouble to study the question of military aeronautics must have about matters that have not yet been tried to a practical conclusion. This study of the requirements of the military aeroplane has, without question, afforded the most intense interest during the winter months, and we should strongly advise those of our readers who have not already given it their attention to refer back to those admirable papers by General Henderson, Col. Capper and Major Radcliffe, which commenced in our issue of December 16th and 23rd last year. The problem of satisfying requirements is, of course, only soluble within limits, and it is not unlikely that a constructor might find himself totally unable to comply even with the requirements of one officer, owing, perchance, to the conflicting character of the attri butes desired. Thus, we see the reason and importance of holding , trials like the present, in order that the designer's presentation of the case may be put before the military eye in its concrete form. Discussion is all very well in its way, but unless discussion results in action, it is of small consequence, no matter to what department of life it may be related. So, with the military aeroplane, discussion resulted in the formulation of certain general rules and conditions that were to govern these trials. Further discussion resulted in the elimination or modification of some of those con ditions that had previously been deemed essential, and now the constructor comes forward with his machine, by which he virtually says, " this is my idea of a military aeroplane, and it has been built to fulfil the requirements you have laid down." It remains, there- THE BRISTOL MILITARY MACHINES IN FLIGHT.—In the centre the monoplane, and on either side the tractor biplane. 693
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