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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0495.PDF
JULY 9, 1915. he was driving a Peugeot car preceded with the archaic man with the red flag ; he was the first motorist to drive the late King Edward, and was the winner of the Tourist Trophy, 1906. In the same year he was third in the first Gordon-Bennett Balloon Race. In June, 1910, he flew from Dover to Calais and back in one continuous flight and was the first aviator to accomplish this feat. With the co-operation of Mr. Claude Johnson and Mr. Royce, Rolls founded the famous Rolls-Royce firm, who are the makers of the world-famed car of that name, and he was one of the Founder Members, not only of the Royal Automobile Club, but also of the Royal Aero Club. His foresight, pluck, enthusiasm and enterprise during ® ® FLYING AT THIS last week-end at Hendon saw some very good flying that was, however, not without an exciting incident or two. Of special interest was the re-appearance of the Mann twin-pusher biplane, now fitted with a 125 h.p. Anzani engine. The first flight in its altered condition was made on Tuesday of last week, when W. Rowland Ding took it up for a short trial. It was soon found that the propellers were unsuitable, several minor adjustments also being required, as it did not prove so fast as with the 100 h.p. engine. The necessary adjustments were completed by Saturday afternoon, and in the evening Ding took it up once more just as rain commenced to fall. Improvement was at once discernible by the way it got off and climbed, and after several circuits an altitude of 1,500 ft. was reached. At this height Ding executed some banked turns, and descending a few hundred feet indulged in some switchbacks to show the machine was under perfect control. This time the speed had been increased to 70 m.p.h. As the rain was getting some what unpleasant, Ding decided to descend, and proceeded to come down, in over the hangars. Needless to say, both Mr. Mann and Mr. Grimmer were "all smiles," but at the last moment these smiles faded, for just as Ding was entering the aerodrome a fledgeling, on one of the numerous machines of a type that has become very popular, was taxying right across in front of the descending machine. It was one of those moments when it was hard to tell whether or not the machine in front would pass by before the other landed. However, it was soon evident that a collision was there in the making, unless Ding could hop over the machine on the ground, for it was then too late to turn. Would the engine, which was well throttled down, pick up quickly enough? Being an Anzani, it naturally did the right thing, and all concerned were relieved to see the Mann 'bus shoot upwards, missing the other machine by a few feet only. Ding continued on his way, and eventually effected a safe landing. The flying previous to this commenced at about 3 o'clock, and continued without interruption until well into the evening. As usual, the proceedings were opened with two flights each by M. Osipenko on the 50 h.p. G.-W. school 'bus and J. H. Moore on his 45 h.p. L. and P. biplane. This latter machine now comes out so regularly that Hendon has christened it "Old Moore's Almanac." Marcus D. Manton and E. Baumann got going next on the 50 h.p. G.-W. 'bus and the 50 h.p. Ruffy-Baumann biplane respectively. Then followed two passenger flights by Moore on the L. and P. and one each by Osipenko and Manton on the G.-W. J/yCHTj even so short a life, to say nothing of his untimely end caused by his devotion to a movement which at this time is destined to exert so portentous an influence on the result of this World War, stand out as a shining example and inspiration to the youth of all time, as showing that no matter what may be their social position, their highest honour lies in devoting their best energies to the advancement of human progress and that an honourable commercial career is not incompatible with social position however exalted. We hope, therefore, to see the suggested support of the Flying Services Fund take solid form at the hands of those who have expressed their desire to commemorate the date of Rolls' death in some particular way, as an appreciation of his memory, ® ® HENDON. M. G. Smiles next started off on the 35 h.p. L. and P. biplane, and circled round over the aerodrome until he reached an altitude of 5,000 ft., no small feat for a little machine of this type; he was aloft for about 40 mins. altogether. After this the machines went up thick and fast, with and without passengers, the pilots and machines being An artist's impression of the incident to the Mann twin-propeller biplane at Hendon. Manton, Osipenko and J. S. B. Winter on the 50 h.p. G.-W. 'bus, W. Roche-Kelly on the 50 h.p. Beatty- Wright, Moore on his L. and P., and Baumann on the 50 h.p. R.-B. On one occasion Manton and Moore very nearly entered into partnership in mid-air—just missed it
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