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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0766.PDF
(AJGHT from Southampton Water, the competitors will pass between two Lightships off Calshot and proceed direct to the centre fort at Spithead, which must lie passed at a distance of not more than 400 yard* either side and at a height not exceeding 300 ft. The prohibited area at Dover, which extends for 3 miles out to ses, is to be passed at not less than 800 yards from the Admiralty Pier. It is not proposed to have a control at Dover, but Walmer or Kamsgate may be utilised for this purpose. The prohibited areas at Newhaven and Montrose will not be prohibited to competitors in the race. On the return to Southampton Water, the competitors will pass south of the Isle of Wight and turn at the Nab Lightship, proceed to the centre fort at Spithead, and thence to Southampton Water. Mortimer Singer £600 Prize. The .£500 Prize kindly put up for competition by Mr. A. Mortimer Singer, has been awarded to Mr. T. O. M. Sopwith, the entrant of the Sopwith Biplane, which successfully accomplished the tests laid down in the rules. Mr. H. G. Hawker was the pilot of the aircraft, and the course was from a point on the land off Southampton Water to a point in the Solent, 5 miles away. Six out and home flights had to be made, alighting on arrival at each point. In each flight an altitude of at least 750 ft. had to be attained, and on one occasion during the tests an altitude of 1,500 ft. The time allowed for the carrying out of the tests was 5 hrs., but Mr. I lawker completed in 3 hrs. 25 minf. The following is the specification relating to the all-British air craft used by Mr. Hawker :— Sopwith Biplane ; Motor, 100 h.p. Green ; Carburettor, Zenith ; Magneto, British Bosch; Sparking Plugs, British Bosch; Propeller, Lang. In addition to the Prize of ^500 to Mr. Sopwith, Mr. A. Mortimer Singer is kindly presenting Mr. II. G. Hawker with a souvenir. JULY 19, 1913. Hurlingham Balloon Race. The last Balloon Race for tlie present season started from Hurlingham on Saturday last. It was a long-distance race for the Hedces Butler Challenge Cup, and was won by Mrs. John Dunv.lle for the second year in succession. Mrs Dunville used the " Banshee " and the pilot was Mr. C. F. Pollock. In addition to the Challenge Trophy, Mrs. Dunville will receive a souvenir from Mr. Frank Hedges Butler. The following are the approximate distances accomplished by tne competitors:— I Banshee... (Mrs. John Dunville). Pilot, Mr. C. F. Pollock ; landed at Edingthorpe. Distance 120 miles. 2. Planet ... Pilot, Mr. A. Mortimer Singer; landed at West Caister. Distance 118 miles. 3 Polo ... Pilot, Mr. John Dunville ; landed at Shotesham St. Mary. Distance 98 miles. 4. R.F.C. ... Pilot, Major E. M. Maitland ; landed at Great Yeldham. Distance 68 miles. 5. Mascot ... Pilot, Mr. A. P. Hohler; landed at Gestingthorpe. Distance 65 miles. Ballooning:. Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny, Bart, has kindly offered to present a trophy, the " Champion Lodge Cup," to any Member of the Club who in a balloon trip lands within 5 miles of the pond situated a quarter of a mile S.S.W. of Champion Lodge, Maldon, Essex. The Ascent must have been made from a place not less than 30 miles distant from Maldon. No formal entry or notice of intention to compete is necessary. Members on landing are requested to immediately notify Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny, Bart., Champion Lodge, Maldon, Essex. ACCIDENTS INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE OF THE ROYAL AERO CLUB. REPORT No. 15. REPORT ON THE FATAL ACCIDENT TO MR. RICHARD NORTON WIGHT, WHEN FLYING AT SHOREHAM, ON SUNDAY, JUNE 29TH, 1913, AT ABOUT 6.15 P.M. Brief Description of the Accident.—Mr. Richard Norton Wight was flying an Avro Tractor Biplane fitted with a 60 h.p. E.N.V. motor, at the Shoreham Aerodrome, on Sunday, June 29th, 1913, at about 6.15 p.m. The aircraft started northwards against the wind, made a half-circuit over the Aerodrome, and then crossed the railway embankment which borders the Aerodrome, at a height of about 100 ft. Shortly after crossing the railway line, the aircraft made a sharp left-hand turn as if to return to the Aerodrome. This turn developed into a sideslip followed by a nose-dive to the ground. The shock of the impact with the ground broke the petrol con nections between the tank and the motor. The petrol escaped on to the motor, which was still running, and burst into flames, which spread along the fuselage. The pilot endeavoured to extricate himself, but one of his feet became entangled with a wire, and he fell head downwards. By the time he was freed he was badly burnt, and died in the hospital about five hours afterwards. Mr. Richard Norton Wight was granted his Aviator's Certificate, No. 462, on April 22nd, 1913, by the Royal Aero Club. Report.—The Committee sat on Monday, July 7th, 1913, and heard the evidence of several eye-witnesses. Mr. H. V. Roe, of Messrs. A. V. Roe and Co., the designers and manufacturers of the aircraft, attended and gave evidence on various points raised by the Committee. From the consideration of this evidence, the Committee regards the following facts as clearly established :— (1) The aircraft was built by Messrs. A. V. Roe and Co., in Manchester, in August, 1911. (2) The wind at the time of the accident was estimated at about 12 miles per hour. (3) The flight lasted less than 5 mins., and during the whole time the aircraft was flying tail down. (4) The motor was so overloaded by an unsuitable propeller that its speed was 100 revolutions per minute below the normal. (5) The pilot was not apparently injured by the fall, but lost his life from the effects of the fire. (6) The fire originated subsequent to the fall, and was the result and not the cause of the accident. (7) The various controls were intact. Opinion.—The Committee is of opinion that the cause of the accident was an error of judgment on the part of the pilot, who, contrary to the advice of the pilot in charge, attempted an extended flight instead of a straight flight down the aerodrome. The pilot in charge, who had just previously made some straight flights, warned him that the aircraft was not flying strongly enough for a circuit. The Committee is satisfied that the aviators and mechanics who were at the aerodrome at the time, ran to the spot as quickly as possible and took great risks in removing the pilot from the flames, but from the evidence given it appears that if the spectators who were in the immediate vicinity at the time of the accident had been able to render prompt assistance, the pilot's life might have been saved. Recommendation.—As this is the fourth accident which has been reported on by the Committee, which has occurred owing to pilots persisting in flying with aircraft developing insufficient power to give them their safe flying speeds, the Committee hopes that those responsible will take such measures as may be possible to prevent pilots risking themselves in this unnecessary manner. 166, Piccadilly, W. HAROLD E. PERRIN, Secretary. THE ROYAL FLYING CORPS. The following appointment was announced by the Admiralty on the 13th inst.:— Lieut. R. B. Davies, to the " Hermes," additional, as Flight Commander for Naval Flying School, Eastchurch, to date July 10th. The following appointment was announced in the Ijmdon Gavttt of the 15th inst. :— Second Lieut. Robert R. Smith-Barry, Special Reserve, from Flying Officer, is appointed to the Reserve. Da'ed June 2nd, *9I3. ROYAL FLYING CORPS (MILITARY "WING). WAR OFFICE summary of work for week ending ]uly nth:— No. t (Airship) Squadron. Farnborough.—On the 5th, 7th, 8th, and 9th the " Beta " carried out a large number of training and reconnaissance flights, including the observation of troops and con veyance of messages. On the 9th, the " Beta" and " Delta " were deflated. A number of " Free" Balloon runs were carried out. No. 2 Squadron. Montrose.—A large number of flights were carried out by the pilots of this squadron, including the training of N.C.O's. as pilots. The distance covered during the week was 1,170 miles. No. 3 Squadron. Netheravon.—A large number of cross country and reconnaissance flights were carried out by the Officer pilots of this squadron. The detachment at Lydd were busily engaged in the observation of artillery fire. No. 4 Squadron. Netheravon.—During the week, the Officer and N.C.O. pilots made a number of reconnaissance and training flights, in conjunction with troops. Flying Depot, Farnborough.—Experimental work was con tinued on the M. and H. Farman machines. 792
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