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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0040.PDF
FROM THE BRITISH Brooklands Aerodrome. THURSDAY, last week, was practically the only day of the week when flying was possible on anything like a large fcale, and full advantage of the ideal weather conditions was taken by all the flying schools. Mr. Barnwell did some excellent flights on the Vickers monoplane at a height of well over 6,000 ft. Mr. Raynham delivered the last Flanders monoplane to the Army authorities and put it successfully through the severe tests imposed. Mr. Merriam was busy with the Bristol pupils, taking several of them up to an altitude of over 2,000 ft., and making spiral descents from that altitude with engine cut off and propeller stopped. No flying at all was possible Saturday owing to the rough con ditions, and on Sunday, owing to the very bad weather, the visit of Santa Claus was postponed till Sunday, January I2tb, at 3 p.m., when, weather permitting, Santa Claus will visit the flying ground on his aeroplane, and will distribute gifts to every child under 14 years of age, in exchange for a ticket, which can be obtained from the gatekeeper on first entering the ground. The competitions which were to be held on the above date have also been postponed till next Sunday week. The same entrants. Notwithstanding the weather conditions, and the notices posted at the gates announcing the postponement en bloc of the programme arranged, a large number of members and friends put in an appear ance. The Coventry Ordnance Biplane was undergoing engine tests inside the shed, and the first fine weather will see its appear ance in the air, as also the new Vickers monoplane—both of these machines are fitted with engines of IOO-h.p. The Bristol School also has a new tractor biplane, Which is expected to turn out a very speedy machine. Amongst the recent batch of Bristol pupils qualifying for their brevet is Capt. Powell, of the Northamptonshire Regiment, who took his ticket on Saturday, December 21st. Everybody remarked how well he went during the test, especially in view of the fact that he had only made one previous circuit, and that on the day before. Bristol School.—On Monday last week no flying was possible in the morning, the weather being too bad. Bendall tested conditions in the afternoon, then taking Capt. Rickards and Mr. Arthur, a new pupil, for tuition flights. Wind was too strong for further work. Merriam made several tests during Tuesday morning and after noon, but found the conditions to be too bad for school work. On Wednesday, after an early trial, Merriam took up Mr. Neville, a new pupil, for a couple of circuits. Rain and wind caused Capt. D. W. Powell (Northamptonshire Regt.), who took his brevet at the Bristol School at Brooklands just before Christmas. Capt. Powell is an exceptionally fine flyer, and should be a valuable addition to the Royal Flying Corps. JANUARY II, 1913. FLYING GROUNDS. stoppage of flying. Merriam out again later with Lieut. Thompson as passenger, but found no improvement. Lieut. Blatherwick was taken for his first circuits, after which tuition was carried on in the hangars. In the afternoon Merriam took Capt. Rickards for a trial, after which the Captain took the instructor as passenger for a couple of straights. Bendall was out in the meantime with Mr. Neville and Lieut. Blatherwick, Lieut. Thompson making four good straights. Merriam took Lieut. Blatherwick for landing practices, also giving a flight to Mr. Neville. Lieut. Thompson was out again for straights, Merriam finishing up the day's work by taking Capt. Rickards for a flight. Merriam made the first test on Thursday, afterwards taking Lieut. Thompson for tuition in right and left-hand turns, this pupil then going out alone completing several good straights and circuits. Bendall was out on another machine, first for a solo, and then with Mr. Neville and twice with Lieut. Blatherwick. Capt. Rickards was first taken up by Merriam, and then went out alone for the first time, showing signs of great improvement. Mr. Archer was out for tuition with Merriam, work being then abandoned until after breakfast. Lieut. Thompson then went for a really fine solo, describing excellent figures of eight, and showing himself capable of under going the tests for his brevet at the next opportunity. Bendall was out with Mr. Neville and then with Mr. Archer, Merriam taking Mr. Blatherwick for a long flight, the pupil then taking the pilot's seat for several flights. Capt. Rickards and Mr. Lane were both out for straights, the latter doing several good circuits. The morning's work was finished by Lieut. Thompson being taken for a high flight, receiving tuition in landing by means of a vol plane'. Bendall made the test on Friday, Merriam following on another machine, Lieut. Thompson also being up for a good solo, after which he successfully accomplished the tests for his certificate, passing same in fine style and flying very steadily throughout. No flying possible all day Saturday owing to the extremely high wind with rain at intervals. Weather bad all day Sunday and flying impossible. Howard-Flanders School.—Wednesday, last week, Raynham was testing F 4 No. 4 for first time out at noon. He made several circuits, and then returned for adjustments. At 3 p.m. several more circuits, when she was workirjg all right. Thursday, Raynham out at 9.45 a.m. for several circuits. At 10.8 a.m. he started for Farnborough, and completed all War Office tests. Climbed 1,000 ft. in 3 mins., and got a speed of 67 m.p.h. Altogether a pretty nice performance with only one day for testing machine, a.nd to pass all tests at first attempt. Vickers School.—The pupils not having recovered from the Christmas holidays, no flying was done Monday last week, except two short flights of 10 mins. each by Messrs. Barnwell and Knight, in the afternoon, on No. 5 monoplane. Wind prevented flying next day until late in the afternoon, when Mr. Barnwell was out for ab^ut 10 mins. on monoplane No. 5. On Thursday, early in the morning, Knight was out with both biplanes, doing about a quarter of an hour on each at about 400 ft., the weather being quite calm. After breakfast Barnwell made a test flight on No. 5 monoplane, then gave place to Knight, who was out about 10 mins., rising to a height of about 800 ft. Barn well then made a flight of about half an hour on No. 5 monoplane, reaching a height of rather over 3,000 ft. In the afternoon Barnwell again took this machine out, and climbed to a height of 6,100 ft., being in the air just over an hour. Eastbourne Aerodrome. ON Thursday, last week, the weather was all that could be desired, and an excellent day's work was put in. The 28 Anzani was got out first, and as some adjustments had been made to the controls, Mr. Fowler took the machine for a trial circuit before handing it over to Lieut. Laniger. The latter then made two very nice flights, showing good judgment both in getting off and landing. Shortly after this Fowler went for a solo on the Bristol, and then took up in turn Lieut. Minchin and Messrs. Roberts and Thornely. Lieut. Minchin made good progress, and should shortly be ready to do his first solo. After lunch Mr. Hammond took charge of the pupils, and Lieut. Laniger made several short flights, but found the wind somewhat troublesome. On one occasion he started out for a right-hand circuit, and, much to the alarm of the spectators, disappeared behind the gas works, heading straight for the town. A breakdown gang, with a car, immediately started out, and Mr. Hammond also flew over with Yates as passenger. Everyone fully expected to find the Anzani on a roof, or something of the kind, but Lieut. Laniger had made an excellent landing in a small field on the very edge of the houses. Apparently he found the wind too much for him as soon as he tried turning to the right, 40
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