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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 1017.PDF
SEPTEMBER 20, 1915 [FycFr] FROM THE BRITISH FLYING GROUNDS. Royal Aero Club Eastchurch Flying Grounds. No one could possibly accuse the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps at Eastchurch of " slacking," whenever there is the smallest chance. Not satisfied with the ordinary work of the day, Commander Samson must needs fly at night. On two occasions last week, Thursday and Friday respectively, he indulged in exten ded flights in the moonlight, on the Friday flying over toSheerness, naturally causing some little excitement. Commander Samson of late has developed into a superlatively first-class pilot, though not by any means suggesting that he was not a good flyer previously, but he seems to have attained such a brilliancy that is new to anyone who has closely followed his work, and to see him perform his wonderful gyrations on Short No. 3 is a revelation. Altogether, the R.F.C. at Eastchurch seem to be well organised, and the E.R.A.'s are thoroughly at home with the various engines that pass through their hands, although some of the seamen appear to be rather crude and rough in their handling of the machines, they can be classed as an exceedingly useful lot of men. An interesting recruit to the ranks of the private owners at Eastchurch is Mr. Sydney Pickles, who has brought with him a two-seater Radley-Moorhouse Bleriot, with a 60 h.p. Anzani engine. This machine has seen good service, and at the recent Burton-on-Trent meeting Mr. Pickles ascended to over 9,000 ft., thus winning the altitude prize from Mr. Raynham on an Avro. It also took quite a number of passengers. Included in its adventurous career is the charging of a chimney at Dundee, which no doubt most of our readers will remember. Mr. Pickles has completely over hauled her, and is fitting a new system of control in preference to the Bleriot cloche. Mr. Ogilvie was very busy last week with his N.E.C.-engined Wright, and his passengers included Mrs. Pickles, mother of Mr. Sydney Pickles; Miss Booth, a sister of Mr. Harris Booth ; Mr. Ogilvie's manager, and Mr. Frank Dunne, a brother of Mr. J. W. Dunne. We are awaiting with great eagerness the advent ot Mr. Ogilvie's new Wright, which is fitted with an American Wright engine. This machine has several interesting features, and the construction leaves nothing to be desired. Messrs. Short Bros., who are very busy at the present time, are turning out three machines in the near future, one of which is a 160 h.p. Gnome-engined seaplane, of a similar design to the machine already in use by the Admiralty. The Blair Atholl Aeroplane Syndicate, Ltd., who hold the sole manufacturing rights of the " Djnne Safety Aeroplane," have two biplanes nearing completion, one at Eastchurch and the other at their Hendon branch. By way of summary all the undermentioned Naval pilots have done considerable flying during last week-end:—Commander Samson, R.N., Lieut. Davis, R.N., Capt. Lushington, R.M. L.I., Sub.-Lieuts. Marix and Littleton, Paymaster Parker, Lieuts, Osmond and Miley, &c, the machines including Shorts, Bleriot, Deperdussins, Avro and Sopwith. Brooklands Aerodrome. On Monday, last week, Mr. Hawker left for Eastchurch and arrived there in 56 mins., notwithstanding a strong head wind. His machine was a Sopwith traclor biplane (80 h.p. Gnome), on which, with full load and passenger he climbed to an altitude of 3,200 ft, in 7 mins. 15 sees.—an excellent performance, and the best yet achieved by him in a test. Mr. Ronald Kemp arrived on a B.E. biplane, on which he carried out some fine evolutions. On Thursday, Lieut. Lawrence R.F.C., on a B.E. biplane came with a passenger. Mr. Barnwell was further te*ting the Martinsyde waterplane, on which he made some good circuits. On Friday, Lieut. Lawrence, R.F.C., paid another visit on a B.E. machine with a passenger. On Saturday, Mr. Ronald Kemp again visited Brooklands on a B.E. biplane, over which he seemed to have remarkable control. Mr. Raynham, on the Avro biplane, was first out in the afternoon. Mr. Alcock was testing the Parsons biplane. Mr. Merriam made some good exhibition flights with and without pupils on the Bristol biplanes. Mr. Barnwell made some excellent flights on the Martinsyde waterplane, the machine climbing quickly and flying most steadily, its ease of control being particularly noticeable. Mr. Barnwell and Mr. Alcock respectively tested Mr. Ducrocq's racing Farman biplane. The wind was blowing up to 30 miles an hour on Sunday after noon, but gradually died away towards sunset. Some fine flying was witnessed, a large number of people staying until quite a late hour. Mr. Hawker was first out on the Sopwith tractor, on which he gave some exhibition flights, with and without passengers. Mr. Barnwell was next out on the Martinsyde waterplane, on which after an excellent test flight he had an impromptu race wilh Mr. I Iawker on the Sopwith tractor, in which the superior pace of the Martinsyde machine was clearly demonstrated. Mr. Merriam gave some of his famous spiral descents, and was also busy with pupils, with one of whom he had an exceedingly narrow escape, as the propeller suddenly burst when the machine was 50 feet up, breaking the elevator controls, and damaging one of the ailerons. The pupil had charge of the machine, but Mr. Merriam with com mendable promptitude at once seized the control and effected a rough though safe landing. The winner of the ballot for the free passenger flight, Mr. J. Gillett, Jun,, of Maddox Park, Little Bookham, was taken upbyMr. Barnwell on theVickers biplane, at the end of which a very fine spiral descent was effected. Bristol School.—Monday, last week, Skene early test, with Lieut. Cuningham. Merriam behind Lieut. Cuningham on straights and circuits. Mr. Alford good solo. Merriam again as Lieut. J. A. Cunlnghara, Lteut. H. B. Strong, Lieut. H. J. A. Roche, R.F.A. Queen's Royal West Surrey. Royal Munster Fusiliers. Some more Bristol pilots who have all recently taken in very fine style their brevets at the Bristol School, Brooklands. Lieut. Cuningham secured his after having only five days' tuition, and Lieut. Strong went for his test in a stiff breeze. J°43
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