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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0313.PDF
MARCH 21, 1914. about nine minutes. That was impossible. He thought that the good pilot of to-day was in advance of the material he had to fly. He did not want the automatic stability so much as good steerability and controllability. All looked forward to the advance of the reliable British engine, which was, he thought, more important in seaplanes than in land machines, by reason of the difference in the problem of forced alighting. Sad as the recent accidents were, he was glad to know the ardour and zeal of those engaged in the work were in no way damped by these disasters in pushing forward the great new science of aviation. Since last year, the strides made were enormous in the quantity and quality of pilots, naval, military, and civilian. Mr. W. Joynson-Hicks, M.P., proposed the toast of "The Exhibition." It was a healthy sign that British constructors were taking seriously the manufacture of aero engines, and he looked forward to the time of great development in the large passenger- carrying machines. An indication of what might be accomplished in the future might be gathered from a remarkable feat which was recently performed on an Avro machine, which was able to glide over a distance equal to crossing the Channel, and that without once using the engine. The future use of aircraft would not be confined, he thought, merely to the science of warfare, though we must fully realise that by the great change which had been brought about in that connection by the advance in aviation that Britain must be a sky power side by side with her sea power. It was difficult to put a limit to the science of aviation. We were but at the commencement; just about where the Ancient Britain started with his coracle of old. Th? advance had been great, but he foresaw that within the next five years, in 1919, such improve ments that those there that day would wonder how we had regarded seriously the productions of 1914. Mr. S. F. Edge, in acknowledging the toast, mentioned the great help King George had given to the science by his visit that morning, showing the keen interest that was taken in this industry. The King's visit was not merely a formal visit; he was intensely interested, and asked many leading questions begotten of his naval experience. At the moment not only was aviation a hazardous science, it was besides a hazardous commercial undertaking. To-day there was practically no business in catering for the private user, whose patronage gave the motor car maker his start, probably because the individual buyer was not able to compare notes with his fellows, and therefore assumed he was exceptional in the troubles he experienced. He suggested that it would be as ® ® Engines for the Royal Flying Corps. IK answer to a question on the subject of water-cooled engines, put by Mr. Joynson-Hicks in the House of Commons on the nth inst., Col. Seely said : " One is in actual use, and 24 others are being fitted into the 24 aeroplanes under construction at trie Royal Aircraft Factory. I have no information as to the number in use in the German Flying Corps, or as to the results obtained, but the high standard of reliability of the engine in question is recognised." Mr. Hucks at Northampton. ON Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 26th, 27th and 28th, Mr. B. C. Hucks will give demonstrations of looping-the- loop and upside-down flying at Delapre, Abbey Park, London Road, Northampton, commencing at 3 p.m. each day. Opening of Brooklands Season. THE motor car racing season at Brooklands opens with the race meeting on Easter Monday, which this year falls on April 13th, and as usual the programme will include an aeroplane handicap. Details as to the event will be announced later, but the prizes will be £50, £25, and £10. A Dunne Machine at Farnborough. SEVERAL test flights were made at Farnborough on Wednesday of last week with a Dunne biplane, piloted by Mr. Percival. After solo flights lasting 20 mins. and half an hour respectively Mr. Percival took up a passenger for a quarter of an hour, the machine during this trip getting to a height of 3,000 feet. British Attempt for Transatlantic Prize. THERE is a possibility of an AVTO machine being built with a view to competing for the Daily Mail Transatlantic prize, as we understand that Messrs. A. V. Roe and Co., in response to some enquiries, have gone carefully into the matter and are prepared to build a suitable machine. Should the proposal materialise, the machine will be designed to carry three men, and to fly during the initial stages of the trip at a speed of 70 miles an hour. Seaplanes with Folding Wings. WHEN describing Messrs. Short Brothers' new works at Rochester recently it was mentioned that the size of the doors was considered ample for all purposes " having regard to the firm's present development in aeroplane construction." At that time we were not at liberty to give the reason lor this statement, but it is (Tggjg well for the Government not to be too exacting in its demands of the industry at the moment; but to think kindly of triers, since it was of vital importance that manufacturers of promise should be enabled to give continuous employment to skilled workers. It was not necessarily the firm with immense resources behind it which was alone worth retaining in the industry. It was a mistake, he thought, not to allow meml>ers of the Royal Flying Corps to take part in private and open competitions. They should be granted this permission, as it would be an induce ment to the development of the sport among private individuals, who would strive to excel and thereby would not only create a new class of patron of the industry, but would help to the supply of a splendid number of pilots of the right sort. In regard to engines, it was hardly enough that the Government should merely say, here are a number of tests through which we are prepared to put your production. They should rather encourage the inventor and young firms who required such support to enable them to go forward and produce something still better. Until the general public took a hand in the support, this should be a necessity. In motor cars it was the amateur who had taken this place, and had enabled manufacturers to advance. He stated that pilots should be mechanics as well as merely flyers, as the pilot should know as much as the man who stayed on the ground, so that he was readily able to distinguish the first sign of trouble, and thereby anticipate any source of coming danger. He thought by such training many lives would be saved. In promoting the Exhibition the Society was not actuated by motives of gain. On the contrary it was deliberately spending, not making, money, for its sole purpose was to help aeronautics. He would like to see some Government exhibits, as he thought that might help him to bring the public to Olympia in greater numbers. He was sorry to observe that the prohibition of flying over certain areas, such as Southampton Water, was dis couraging to the development of the native industry in that such centres offered peculiar facilities for the establishment of works for the production of aircraft; but in the circumstances it was impossible to embark on enterprises of that sort. It was good news that he had heard to-day that, after an interval of time, Britain had now put forward three challengers to compete on behalf of this country in the Gordon-Bennett Aviation Race. He was sure it would help manufacturers greatly in this country if we could again win this Trophy, ai it would draw attention to the splendid work in Great Britain, and as a natural consequence draw orders from all parts of the world for our constructors. ® ® now announced that Messrs. Short Brothers have developed a method of folding the wings of waterplanes, by means of which the overall width is reduced to about 10 feet. This is effected in an extremely simple manner, by rotating the wings on each side in a horizontal plane, so that they lie parallel to and at the side of the fuselage of the machine, and may be readily accomplished in a few minutes while the machine is on the water. The advantages of these systems, especially for machines which have to be housed on a ship, are obvious. To Assist Aeronautic Students. A THOROUGH inquiry is now being made by the Aeronautical Society into the possibility of organising the Students' Section of the Society, which now numbers twenty-two, into groups of local associa tions on the lines of those of other technical societies. A proposed Students' Prize Fund is under consideration, and means are also being considered for associating with the Society provincial groups having scientific aims. Aeronautics and Meteorology. ARISING out of a suggestion made during the meeting of the Aeronautical Society on January 7th last, to which members of the Royal Meteorological Society were invited, arrangements are now being considered for the formation of a joint committee of the two societies, having as its primary objects the utilisation by each society of the special knowledge of the other for the advancement of both sciences. Joint meetings of the two bodies will, it is hoped, become part of the annual session. " The World of Aviation* Is the title given to the new and complete catalogue issued by the General Aviation Contractors, Ltd., in connection with the specialities sold by that concern and its allied companies, the British Emaillite Co., Ltd., and the British Anzani Engine Co., Ltd., &c. The book is a most comprehensive one, and all who have to do with the practical side of aviation should make a point of getting a copy and then lee that it is kept handy for reference. It is im possible to enumerate all the things whtch are listed, but among them are " Emaillite," Anzani motors, " Rapid " and " Regy " pro pellers, "G.A.C." Spencer-Moulton aeroplane tyres, " Gnomol" castor oil, Roold and "G.A.C." clothing equipment, Hue aero nautical instruments, &c. 313
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