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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0424.PDF
[/yCHT] APRIL 18, 1914. THE MONACO RALLY. IN our last issue the progress of the various competitors in the Monaco Rally were chronicled up to Monday of last week. On the following morning Moineau started on his Breguet from Marseilles to complete the trip to Monaco, but in coming down at Tamaris his machine struck a buoy and had to be towed ashore by a torpedo boat. Fortunately the pilot and passenger escaped with nothing worse than a wetting. After being delayed by the weather at Albi, near Bordeaux for five days, Mallard attempted to complete his journey and reached Marseilles. On the 8th inst. Brindejonc des Moulinais, who had returned from Genoa by rail the previous evening, set out to make a fresh attempt, this time over the "Vienna route. On reaching Antibes, however, the machine capsized and was smashed, but the pilot escaped uninjured. The French Eliminating trials for the Schneider Cup were held during the day and Dr. E»panet on his Nieuport, who was the only one to complete the four laps of the 10 kilom. course, which he did in 23 mins. SOj sees., was awarded the first place. Levasseur on a Nieupoit who completed two rounds was given the second place, while Garros on a Morane who did one lap was placed third. Prevost on a Deperdussin, Janoir, also on a Deperdussin and Brindejonc on a Morane did not complete the course, but were classed as reserves. On the following morning Verrier made a fresh start over the Buc- Monaco course while Renaux, likewise on a Farman, also started from Buc. After flying for about 80 kiloms., however, both pilots found the wind too strong for their liking and decided to return. Mallard started from Marseilles but had only completed about 20 kiloms. when he was in trouble with his motor and was towed into Cassis by a torpedo boat. Friday was a blank day but there was a good deal of activity on Saturday. Garros went on from Orange, where he had been delayed since the 2nd inst., and reached Marseilles. E. Stoeffler on an Aviatik started from Gotha and although his pro gress was retarded by a contrary wind he completed the stages to Frankfort and Dijon. Later he was in trouble with his motor and had to come down at Villeneuve-les-Avignon. Legagneux started CORRESPONDENCE. Wood in Aircraft. [1852] A careful observation of all the aeroplanes at the Aero Show at the Olympia, and conversation with some of the practical men responsible for the building of them, has suggested to me one or two points which I think aeroplane builders might do well to consider, both for the better security of life, and also for economy. The first is: Has it ever occuired to the aeroplane builder that the timber in one of these craft may possibly become " dead," i.e., lose its life and strength in a very much shorter period—indeed, in a period which has never been considered possible previously—as the result of exposure to climatic change, and the intense speed at which it is driven through the air ? There is a great similarity between the physical conditions of animal life and vegetable life. Timber, like the human being, is affected by climatic conditions, and is capable of being worn out even as human nature is. Scientists have told us that the edge of a razor becomes tired—the temper of the steel is worn out. 1 am inclined to think that the explanation of a great many breakages to timber in aeroplanes may be attributed to this cause. If fresh timber be stowed in a confined place, as for instance, the hold of a hot ship, fermentation takes place and fungus or disease may be started. After being sawn up, if it is not well protected, decay readily sets in. Thoroughly seasoned timber placed in a damp atmosphere will absorb the damp around it and expand. Timber placed in the heat of the sun will crack sometimes with a report like the firing of a gun, and exposed to extreme frost somewhat similar results may be expected. All these points go to show how easily timber is affected by climatic conditions. The human being suffers from fatigue after driving through the air at tremendous speed, and I am inclined to think that the timber suffers from exactly the same fatigue without the recuperative power which the human being possesses. If my theory is correct, therefore, the timber in aeroplanes ought to be changed much more frequently than has been thought necessary up to the present. I should suggest the following rules to be observed with the object of making the aeroplane as safe as it may be possible :— 1. After three months' use, a careful inspection should be made of every part of the timber which is used in the construction of the machine, and if it be found that any portion shows any sign of loss of strength, that portion to be replaced. 2. That a committee should be formed of a few leading men engaged in the supply of the material used in the building of the from Brussels but after flying for an hour returned on account of the wind. Lord Carbery and Molla set out from Buc, but deemedi it wise to go back owing to fog. Sunday morning saw Garros com plete his trip from Brussels, and on reaching Monaco he immediately set out to make another attempt, this time over the Monaco-Buc course. Verrier on an H. Farman, Renaux on a M. Farman and Molla on an R.E.P. left Buc followed by Lord Carbery on a Morane and all four reached Angers safely. Verrier went on to Bordeaux and then had to stop at Albi for petrol, while, when making an enforced landing on the Arnet Plain near Pezenas, the machine collided with a tree and was damaged. Renaux had to stop at Gemozac owing to ignition troubles. Molla reached Bordeaux but Lord Carbery gave up at Angers. Legagneux started from Brussels but had to come down at Ypres owing to motor trouble. On Monday, Garros made a splendid flight from Marseilles and as his official flying time for the full course from Monaco to Buc—12 hrs. 11 mins. 34A sees, was nearly 3^ hours better than Brindejonc's time he secured the leading place in the competition. Moineau made a fresh start from Buc and reached Bordeaux safely after the regulation stops at Angers. Bertin also started from Buc but was soon in trouble. Renaux went on from Gemozac to Bordeaux. Tuesday saw another fine effort by Garros which eventually secured him the second prize. Starting from Brussels again he made his way by Calais and Dijon to Marseilles. Renaux went on to Marseilles and afterwards to Monaco. Mallard, having had his machine repaired also reached Monaco, while Verrier got as far as Marseilles. On Wednesday morning Garros finished at Monaco, as also did Verrier. It was announced later in the day that pro visionally Garros had been awarded the prizes for the best and second best times, followed by Brindejonc des Moulinais, Renaux, Verrier and Mallard. The best aggregate times were :—Garros (Monaco to Buc) 12 hrs. 14 mins. 21 sees., Garros (Brussels to Monaco) 12 hrs. 27 mins. 13 sees., Brindejonc des Moulinais (Madrid to Monaco) 16 hrs. 2 mins. 3l£ sees. ® ® ® ® machines, who should have before them a report from every flyer who has experienced the breakage of any particular part where timber is used. 3. The kind of timber and the conditions under which it was used, and the way in which it broke should be registered, so that a careful scientific record could be kept from which the future building might be controlled, and so that this might not be only theory but also practice, I shall be glad to offer myself to serve upon any such committee in case it may be formed. ALEXANDER L. HOWARD. 40, Trinity Square, E.C. The "Britannia," not the "I.C.S." [1853! Knowing the reputation FLIGHT has for accuracy, will you kindly permit me to make a correction in the paragraph on page 368 of April 4th ? I see it is stated that Mr. J. J. Hammond writes from New Zealand that he is flying the Government I.C.S. Bleriot. If by the initials I.C.S. the International Correspondence School is indicated, I have no knowledge of any aeroplane being sent out by that body to New Zealand, and feel sure that Mr. J. J. Hammond means the aeroplane which was presented to the New Zealand Government by the Imperial Air Fleet Committee. The idea originated from our Chairman, Mr. Alfred Docker, and the Chairman of the Executive Committee was our Managing Director, Mr. William Coward, F.R.G.S., and this firm, in conjunction with the Standard, guaranteed the purchase money for the " Britannia." We have just received from Mr. T. W. Wilson, Town Clerk, Auckland, an illustration from the New Zealand Herald, wherein Mr. J. J. Hammond is shown flying the aeroplane " Britannia," which was christened by Lady Desborough, and presented to the New Zealand Government at Hendon last May. pro WILLIAM COWARD AND CO., LTD., A. M. SCOTT, Secretary. 100, Bishopsgate, E.C, April 4th. ® ® ® ® Memorial to Major Hewetson. GENERAL SIR HORACE SMITH-DORRIEN, Commander-in- Chief Southern Command, on Tuesday unveiled a Celtic cross which has been erected at the south-east corner of Fargo Wood on Salis bury Plain, as a memorial to Major A. W. Hewetson, R.F.A., who was killed while flying on July 17th, 1913. In the course of a short address, General Smith-Dorrien said that the R.F.C. was a branch of the Services which differed from any other, as its members were constantly on active service. 424
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