FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0438.PDF
lAHeU APRIL 26, 1913. ARMCHAIR REFLECTIONS. By THE Oh, Those Official Tests. OVE of the tests that an aeroplane has to go through on delivery at Farnborough is that of rolling. Not merely landing, or rolling to gather speed to rise, mind you, but running up and down the ground like a pheasant shot in the wing, and at about the same speed, and pheasants can run I give you my word, I've tried to catch them when I was a boy and the shooters were in the next field. This is supposed to be done to see if they will stand it, and it is a foregone conclusion—they won't. Nearly every machine comes to grief—and quite right too ! No self-respecting machine whose duty it is to fly wants to be turned into a " plater." " Mr. Henry Farman has entered two machines for the Grand National" might read all right in a few years' time, but just at present we want machines to fly, not to go steeplechasing. The ground at Farnborough is, I believe, not the best in the world to rush a machine over at speed, and in at least one case the propeller touched the ground. With new machines—that is, machines of a new type, or old patterns which have had the undercarriage altered— perhaps it is necessary to some extent; but to take machines like those now being delivered almost daily, well After they have done this, if they are in a condition to be moved, they are loaded up with a dead weight of sand till every strut, wire and bolt is strained almost to the breaking point. A strain far in excess of anything a machine is ever likely to have to stand in the air, in my opinion. If they stand this without dropping to pieces they are quite ready to be taken out, and the first rough landing settles the business, for the simple reason that the poor machine was only waiting for the chance to crumple up decently. A Pen Picture—with apologies (if recognised). Have you ever had your photograph taken ? No doubt you have ; and when you have got them home you have said you could have made a better portrait with a big brush and a pot of tar! Now, I am not much in the portrait line myself, either photographically or per pencil, being more given to scribbling nondescript nothings and wasting good paper, in the hope that some poor editor may be taken unawares—when he had come away without his glasses—and think me a genius. But the thought struck me to-night that I could write a portrait. Seems funny, doesn't it ? Mr. Portrait,—If you recognise your self, I don't live anywhere roundabout here, and never visit an aerodrome—pronounced " air-e-o-drome " (mega phone man)—so put your pea-shooter away, and simmer down, please! I will now proceed to gaze into my crystal and see what I can see. 1 see a man, rather above than below middle height, though not what might be called " bulky " except perhaps in the region of the head, which is well formed and set on rather square shoulders. The face is clean shaven and exposes a jaw with no end of determination in its lines. It is the sort of jaw that one would expect to find on a man that would see an opening early in a new industry, and jump right on it with both feet. The figure is clothed in a very " sporty" rig. Brown boots and leggings lead up to a pair of riding breeches of the " nutty " type and of a pattern which reminds me of the Pantiles at Tunbridge Wells. Above this is a waistcoat on which I always feel I should like to play noughts and crosses, and which would be DREAMER, aggressive, except that it is partly covered by a jacket which, so to speak, knocks the breath out of it. Just above the waistcoat I find a tie—not half a tie, mind you, but a real, full-blown tie that would cause a commotion in the " Quatier Latin " equal to a stolen Mona Lisa! Coming once again to the face, I see what I had failed to see before—I see that, with all its deter mination, it is a kind face; there is a perpetual smile there that is good to see, and which does not seem capable of being easily rubbed off. On the top of the face there is a cap—but, no; I will not try to describe that cap ! I believe pilots coming from a distance, and not being quite sure of their bearings, breathe again when they see it from afar—a real good sort; cheerful, energetic, kind ! Who is he ? Little Des'. Little Des', on your bed of sickness you are not for gotten, and this is to cheer you up and wish you speedy recovery. We have learned to like you little Des', and we miss you. Do not think that because you are not with us at the moment that nobody cares. Yours it is to bear the trial, and unfortunately it is not possible for us to do much to relieve you, but the little that we can do is to assure you that every man, in and out of the aerodrome is your friend and wishes you well. We do not forget the pleasure you have afforded us on so many occasions by your splendid flights, and when there is flying on and your rosy smiling face is not there, there seems to be something missing. Whether you will ever take up flying again or not must rest with yourself. Should you do so, be sure of a hearty welcome. Should you decide not to do so, be sure that nobody will blame you or think any the less of you for your decision. You are young, too young to have had this terrible trial, but the world may yet hold many bright years for you in spite of all. Cheer up little Des', we are thinking of you. Tea on the Lawn. It is an intrinsic part of our nature, that whenever we go out on pleasure bent we must take tea. If in the summer time we can manage to take it on the grass, be it lawn or meadow, our happiness is on the way to being complete. At Hendon tea is provided during the summer in the half-crown enclosure, and judging from the number of customers, is appreciated. It is a very trying time to visitors to have to wait for long periods on windy days, for the pleasure of our friend the enemy, who seems perverse in exercising his prerogative by blowing our patience almost to the vanishing point, and then just as we prepare to depart in sorrow, suddenly to drop to a zephyr. The amount of patience shown by the public during these unavoidable waits is truly remarkable, and could it be possible to take tea in the open at this time, it would help materially in adding to the pleasure of the day. The enclosures at Hendon are of goodly proportions, although it is only the part near the railings that is at all congested, and there would be plenty of room at the back to have some little tables set out, where one could invite one's friends to partake of the cheering cup. It is possible even now, of course, to get tea at the Aviation Tea Rooms outside, where the service and refreshments are all that could be desired, but one cannot take tea and watch the flying at the same time, which is very desirable. 458
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
