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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0447.PDF
APKIL 26, 1913. (AJCHf) ••LONDON DAY," " LONDON DAY," which was held at Hendon last Saturday under the patronage of the Lord Mayor, Sir David Burnett, who was accompanied by several members of the Corporation, was a great success, in spite of the (act that a strong wind prevented the full programme of races that had been arranged from taking place. Fortunately the weather was otherwise exceptionally fine. A HENDON. number of Mayors of the Metropolitan Boroughs also attended, whilst amongst the visitors were to be seen many well-known and influential personages, such as Viscount Peel, Sir John Bell, Sir Melvill Beachcroft, Sir Vesey Strong, and Sir George Truscott, to mention but a few. Shortly after 3 o'clock, Pierre Verrier ascended on the new 70-h. p. Renault-Maurice Far- man biplane, and made ix magnificent flight in a tricky wind which was gteadll v increasing in strength. He was followed shortly after by Manuel Chevillard on the 80-h.p. Henry Farman biplane. Chevillard not only showed his distin guished visitors his wonderful dives, but incidentally demon strated the marvellous control he has over his " Flight " Copyright, LONDON DAY AT HENDON.-The Lord Mayor leading the way across the aerodrome, followed by Mr. Grahame-White. machine, for during his first dive a gust of wind caught the biplane when it was banked to its utmost, causing an unpleasant looking side-slip. It seemed to be only a few feet from the ground that Chevillard brought the machine to an even keel. The next time he commenced his dive higher up. After this, Gustav llnmel who was, perhaps, the hero of the day in view of his record flight to Germany a few days previously, started off on his single-seater 50-h.p. Bleriot monoplane. Starting against the wind, the mono plane made little headway, but rose very quickly. The spirals which he eventually attempted were very peculiar, for helped by the wind half was carried out in the orthodox style, but when the monoplane headed to wind it appeared to be abruptly checked and remained for a short space of time almost stationary and banked over. For fifteen minutes he remained aloft, reaching an altitude of about 2,500 ft., and finally descending with a splendid spiral vol plant. After landing he was warmly congratulated by the Lord Mayor, who then made an inspection of the machines, under the guidance of Mr. Claude Grahame-White. In the meanwhile Collardeau was out on the 110-h.p. Canton Unae-Breguet biplane, but an olwtinate engine prevented anything but a short flight from being made. An unofficial speed handicap over six laps of the aerodrome was then arranged between Chevillard and Verrier. A start was made against the wind near the railway, Chevillard being at scratch and Verrier receiving 45 sees, start. Both pilots made remarkable banked turns, and their speed with the wind past the enclosures was astounding to behold. Verrier kept the lead all the time, winning by 10 sees. Both continued making circuits of the aerodrome for some lime. Hamel next came out on his 50-h.p. Bleriot with the intention of making an altitude flight. He climbed steadily for some considerable time, until he was but a speck in the sky. At times he disappeared from view In a kind ol mist, which, he told us afterwards, was snow. Indeed, so cold MM ><• 'ha' when at over 7,000 ft. the oil in the gauge glass frose, breaking the gla-s to atoms, so a descent liad to be made at once. Hamel, . d with oil, received an exceptional ovation when he landed —the crowd being frantic with excitement—and the l^ord Mayor again congratulated htm. Vrrtiti made a passenger flight OB the Manure Fuimitn while Haute) was up, and, except I> t I -hoi' flight by Cnevillard later in the evening, this coin plcted the flying lot I he day. In the court* of a speech during the afternoon, the 1 owl Mayor said that he look a great interest in avia tion, which was a science of very great inipoitancc to all 1 im t r ies, but more e»)«eeially 111 eat ltritain. •Sunday turned MR M be a glorious day, so much so that there wan even a bigger crowd in UH I hail on the S.dunlay, which it say ing a great deal. It was also a r< .oul day foi living, for fiom shortly BOBM 3 o'clock until 6o'clock, no fewer than 50 flight" wen made by 1? different pilots on as many different machines. At one time eight machines were in the air at the same time. It would bl quite impossible to give a description oi these flighis, aod we can but give a list of the pilots and their machine 1 : M. Chevillmd (So h.p. Henry Farman biplane) ; P. Verrier (70-h.p, Mautier t'Wmans, two licmg out); ( ollardcau (tloh.p. Hreguet biplane); l.ewis \V. F. Turner (60-h.p. Antani-Gaud ion biplane); Haumann (35-h.p. Anzani-Caudron biplane, flying high and steadily) j G. L. Temple (35-h.p. Caudron biplane, flying well) J Louis Noel (60-h.p. Aniani-Grahame-White tractor hiplant—Show machine—carrying Cassengera); Marcus I). Manton (70-h.p. .rahamc-Whlte iplane); A. Cheeseman 35-h.p. Awcani Hlirim monoplane, handling this machine in a marvellous manner considering the small power at his disposal) ; Spratl (60 h.p. Antuni-Hcpcrdussin mono-r lane); Jules Nardini (60-h.p. Anzani-Oeperdmsitt monoplane); lawker (40-h.p. A.B' SopwithWright biplane): and Gustav Hamel (50-h.p. B!e>iot monoplane). The latter left for Hrooklands at alrout 4 o'clock, taking 19 nuns, for the journey, and returned to Hendon at about 6 o'clock in 13 mini. It will be seen from the foregoing that Jules Nardini, who has recently been interested in automobiles, made a welcome reappear ance, and during his several flights (some with passengers, including Gapt. Tyrer) he showed us that he had lost none of his old skill. Shortly after 5 o'clock, Manton, with a pas-enger, left for Fain- borough, on the 70-h.p. "(.. YV," 'bus, arriving there safely in about an hour. Louis Noel also started for Farnbomugh (accom panied by a passenger) on the tractor biplane, but engine trouble developed just as they Were going well. One of the visitors of some note was Sir Charles Kose, whose tragic death is announced else- where. Where the lissom branches sway Near the tree-tops bare, There's an aviators' village In the upper air. The sun, wind, and rain May shine, blow, and fall, The airmen in the elm trees Care not at all. ® ® ® ® WINGED AIRMEN t THE ROOKS. Beyond the smoke of chimneys, Above the roar of trade, Rise the dauntless aeronauts Never afraid. Circling round the aerodrome, Making straightest flight, Steer the steady aeroisU I lomewards at night. 469 forth in catly morning from the tree-top village ! top the knowing airmen, Bent on pillage. Noiseless are their monoplanes, Strong, but light as feather. Careless are the aeronauts (if roughen weather. April 17th. 1913. Li.ovi) ST. CI.AIK. (Italian ptpers pleas' copy,)
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