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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0268.PDF
l/yciiT] the country an airship of [which we might well feel proud. The Aircraft Factory doubtless also has designs that would give effect to the lessons of past experience on a smaller scale, while it is also quite likely that a certain amount of private capital may be attracted into the business, and that in the course of time the airship may be developed on a commercial scale. ()ne thing, however, is certain, the Naval wing of the R.F.C. must no longer be without its dirigibles, for it can no more be said to be complete with a sole equip ment of hydro-aeroplanes than would the Navy be were it to consist only of cruisers. And again we may add, the proper establishment of the Naval wing in respect to airships will be the shortest high road to the rapid expansion of the further use of aeroplanes in the same branch of the service. The enthusiastic flyers of model aero- M2L planes who took part in the competition Brigade. ^or tne R°val Aero Club's prizes last Saturday have come a long way since the demonstrations at the Alexandra Palace some years ago, when this form of pastime received its first official recognition. With equal truth, however, it may be said that they have a long way still to go. The weather conditions under which the models were flown both at the Hendon Aerodrome in the morning and on the Welsh Harp for the model hydro-aeroplanes, in the afternoon, were very severe. There was a strong gusty wind at all times and the surface of the lake was, from the stand-point of a model water-plane, distinctly choppy. These facts, however, served only the more to emphasise the conclusion at which we have long since arrived, namely, that model design and construction are a problem apart and demand the special study of those who would succeed in the building of a good model flyer. That the game is " worth the candle " we firmly believe, and have shown as much by our systematic efforts to encourage the model readers of FLIGHT. It is a healthy outdoor amusement, and it affords an ever- present stimulus to the mind. As a hobby for boys it ® ® ROYAL FLYING CORPS (MILITARY WING). WAR OFFICE Summary of work, week ending ist March;— No. 1 (Airship) Squadron.—The "Beta" engines having been thoroughly overhauled, on Wednesaay a test of one hour and speed trials were performed, the latter giving very satisfactory results. On Thursday, a flight to Salisbury and back, via Andover, was made, lasting in all 4 hours, the journey being performed without incident or hitch of any kind. Friday was also occupied in another series of speed trials. The spare envelope of " Beta ' is on loan to the detachment Naval Wing, which is attached to the Military Wing for instruction in airship work. The envelope is attached to the car of the Admiralty Willows airship, but met with a slight accident at Ash on Thursday, when piloted by Lieut. Woodcock, R.N. " Delta " has returned from the Show at Olympia, and will shortly be available for training purposes. Besides airship work, a good deal of kite-work has been got through during the week, and a number of free balloon runs made. No. 2 Squadron.—The main event of the week has been the successful termination of the flight to Montrose. The evening of the 25th saw four machines assembled at Edinburgh, while the fifth, Lieut. Waldron's Maurice Farman, was at Berwick. On the 26th, all the machines reached Montrose, Capt. Recke on No. 217 (BE type) accomplished the journey in 45 mins. Lieut. Waldron made a non-stop flight from Berwick to Montrose. On the 27th and 28th, all the officers of the squadron were out on their machines, exploring the country round Montrose. No. 3 Squadron.—Monday and Tuesday were occupied in short test flights on the BE type machines. On Wednesday, a party of con-commissioned officers and men of the Squadron, under an MARCH 8, 1913. is hard to beat, for it encourages scientific study and the skilful use of tools in the creation and manifestation of an idea. The model aeroplane designed and constructed, there remains the problem of making it fly, which affords at once a healthy form of exercise, much opportunity for the display of patience, and an early grounding in the lesson that the world teaches every man sooner or later, and which Shakespeare delicately expressed in the adage, " All that glitters is not gold." In our opinion the aero modellist would do well to study the problems of his own craft in closer detail, and leave the full-sized aeroplane out of the question except in so far is its lessons may give him assistance. The time has come, too, when model competitions might usefully seek to develop more originality, say, for instance, in the design of under-carriages that would really keep a model right side up and undamaged after a crooked landing. The same applies with even greater force to models that alight on the water. Obviously what is required is a far greater width of chassis base in propor tion to the wing span than is necessary on a real aeroplane which is under human control. Then again, more attention might well be paid to the gliding qualities of model aeroplanes ; few of those flown in the wind on Saturday settled otherwise than head first. A prize for gliding from a pylon or a roof might usefully be included in future competitions; it would teach much as to the inherent balance, best wing loading and natural speed of models. As a move towards developing the self-propelled flying qualities of their machines, aero-modellists might consider the advantage of a suggestion made in FLIGHT long ago, which we called " Flight-golf." The idea, au fond, was to complete a course in stages by flight; and this also might serve as an excellent basis for the award of future prizes. In encouraging the movement as it has done by substantial money prizes, the Royal Aero Club has been true to its best traditions and has ably supported the good work of the Kite and Model Aeroplane Association under whose auspices this branch of aeronautics is officially fostered. ® ® officer, paid a visit to the Woolwich Arsenal. On Thursday Maurice Farman machines Nos. 214 Mid 216 were flying well in a. wind of 25-30 miles per hour. Friday was a good flying day, with a light wind, and a lot of work was got through by five officers of the Squadron. No. 4 Squadron.—The new Cody machine is now ready for use, and after a final test by Mr. Cody, was taken out for rolling practice on Friday by the officer who is learning to fly it. The other machine is now back from Olympia, and may shortly be expected to be in flying trim. Both the Breguet and BE machines were out on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but on the latter day No. 206 was found to be suffering from a heated front bearing, which necessitated taking down the engine. War Office, March 4th. ® ® ® ® The Fatal Accident to Geoffrey England. WHILE attempting an hour's flight on a Bristol monoplane over Salisbury Plain on Wednesday, Mr. Geoffrey England, brother of Mr. Gordon England, met with an accident which ended fatally. He had been flying for 40 mins. at a height of 5,000 ft., during, which the wind increased from 25 m.p.h. to about 35 m.p.h., when the machine commenced a very steep descent with the engine running. From a height of about 600 ft., when over Durrington Down, the machine dropped to the ground, and when those who had been watching the flight reached the scene of the accident the pilot had succumbed to his injuries. Members of the Accidents Investigation Committee of the Royal Aero Club immediately proceeded to the scene of the accident.
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