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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0532.PDF
MAT 22, 1914. however, would have done well to consider all the facts before passing a judgment adverse to our own gallant officers of the R.F.C. It should be remembered, in the first place, that the German " mobilisation" took the form of a simple point-to-point journey, which is a far simpler affair than that to which the Montrose squadron was committed. We have no manner of doubt that if the squadron had simply been ordered to fly from its home station to Salisbury Plain in a straight-away flight, the whole of the machines would have arrived without serious mishap. But what was being attempted was a far different thing. The journey was to be done in a series of short flights, accompanied by the road transport of the squadron, a task which entailed numerous landings en route, which thus vastly enhanced the chances of mishap. Again, it must be remembered that climatic conditions in these islands are, generally speaking, much worse than they are on the Continent. As a matter of fact, it was those same climatic conditions which were the cause of the accidents. Fog and ground-mist are things which are quite beyond the control of man, but which have to be reckoned with, on almost every day of the year, and, as we have seen, are only too likely to play havoc with the man and machine so unfortunate as to be compelled to make a landing in them. We deplore the accidents as much as anyone, but we hold most strongly that they imply no doubt whatever of the skill or ability of the magnificent personnel of the R.F.C. ® ® CHEREAU. lamp business to devote himself entirely to aeronautics and established the Bleriot branch in England, with the flying school at Hendon. Under his guidance the busi ness developed rapidly, and the latest move has been the opening of new works for the production of British-built Bleriots at Brooklands, to which place the flying school has been transferred. Since the first Channel crossing Mr. Chereau has been connected with many famous flights, and is well posted on all motor and aviation matters THE HAWK. The roll call of the Transport Section of the R.F.C. at the Montrose d<:p6t at 4.30 a.m. on Sunday last week, in connection with the flight to the south. (/JJGHTJ defence or of any other kind, with the knowledge that he has behind him a strong volume of public opinion. Without it he may succeed in his object—with it, he is in an almost impregnable position. It is for these reasons, apart altogether from the sporting interest of such con tests—which is very great—that we welcome so important a race as that which is to be flown to-morrow. As we have said, although much has been done towards the education of the public in aerial matters there is much more re maining to be done, and there is no better way of carrying out the good work than by affording the people these opportunities of coming into real, live touch with the movement. Many will see the race to-morrow afternoon who cannot in the ordinary way visit the flying grounds— many who will see the machines in flight have never seen an aeroplane before, and will thus receive an impression of the reality of man-flight that they would get in no other way, to the manifest good of the movement. * * «• It was perhaps inevitable that comparisons The Mishaps should be made between the unfortunate Montros ending of the "aerial mobilisation " of the Squadron. Montrose squadron of the R.F.C. and the somewhat similar test which was recently so successfully carried out in Germany. The one was marvellously successful—the other, a tragic unsuccess. Those who have indulged in gloomy comparisons, ® ® NORBERT HAVING completed his studies at Rennes University, Norbert Chereau turned his attention to art, but the cycle trade presented an irresistible attraction and eventually claimed him. Like many others, he seemed to naturally drift into the motor trade, and in 1893 came to England, where he became interested in the Bteriot motor lamp business, subsequently becoming the London Manager. Having taken the keenest interest in the early flying experiments of M. Bleriot, he naturally took charge of the arrangements for the memorable crossing of the Channel in July, 1909. After this he relinquished the 532
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