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Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0219.PDF
MA»CH 16, 1916. that it was a " line"' particularly suitable for women war workers. Yet I understand that some experiments carried out at the works of aircraft manufacturers have proved highly successful, and that for the lighter classes of work the women welders are showing themselves quite equal to the task. XXX Matters are apparently improving with regard to our countering daylight seaplane raiders. In previous re ports of incidents of this character the official reference usually has run something like this : " A hostile seaplane dropped bombs on such and such a town. Our machines went up in pursuit but failed to overtake the raider. The damage, &c." This time it seems that our aviators actually succeeded in heading off the raider before he had a chance to drop his visiting cards. We shall yet live to be officially informed that our aviators gave chase and brought down the enemy. Just wait and see. XXX Of the newer French machines one that has been very successful of late is the little Ponnier single seater scout. This firm has, it will be remembered, had considerable experience in building fast machines, the little monoplane built for the last Gordon Bennett race and flown by Emile Vedrines actually being faster than the winning Deperdussin monoplane flown by Prevost. Shortly before the outbreak of war the Ponnier firm brought out a little fast scouting biplane, which was fully illustrated and described in "FLIGHT" of August 14th, 1914. The new machine, while retaining many of the characteristics of the 1914 type, has benefited from the lessons learned during actual war service and incorporates many improve ments. Most noticeable of these is a better streamline body which has increased the speed of the Ponnier to something far above that obtained with the older type. When seeing and hearing daily of the important role played by the fast single seater scouts in the aerial war fare one first begins to realise what a debt of gratitude the aviation industry, and the whole world for that matter, owes the Sopwith Aviation Co. for being the first to demonstrate the capabilities of a short span, high- powered single seater tractor biplane. XXX When down Chelsea way the other day I paid a visit to the works of the Wells Aviation Co. They are busy almost unto monotony down there, and it was a revela tion to see the changes wrought since my first visit to those works, which were then dubbed the Coldrum Pottery. However, that is another story. What I was ® ® Gallant Work by the R.F.C. A SUPPLEMENT to the London Gazette issued on Saturday gives the following details of the work for which the undermentioned non-commissioned officers and man of the Royal Flying Corps were awarded the distinguished Service Medal as recorded in " FLIGHT " for January 20th, 1916 :— 2085 1st Class Air-Mechanic F. HARTLEY, Royal Flying Corps. For conspicuous gallantry on fifteen occasions while employed as a gunner in an aeroplane, and on two occasions he exhibited great courage and skill in aerial combat. E H New Passenger Records by Verrter. THAT old Hendon favourite, Pierre Verrier, who, it will be remembered, was wounded over a year ago and is now putting in ?ood work testing new machines in Francs, apparently finds time JycRf] going to say was that I was told that one of the Benoist twin-engined flying boats, for which Mr. Wells holds the agency, is expected over here very shortly. These boats differ so considerably from usual practice in many respects that the trials of the first to visit these shores will be awaited with interest. XXX So, as we of " FLIGHT " anticipated, " P.-B." is now " M.P.," and right well he deserves it. And now it's up to him to make aviation matters hustle at Westminster like unto the manner in which he pushes along his own concerns. Here is a typical illustration of the deter mination and resourcefulness that characterises " P.-B." The incident dates back to the time when, about a week before an Olympia Aero Show, he had hardly completed the hull of his first supermarine, and yet, when I expressed surprise, assured me with perfect confidence she would be ready for the show. It seemed to me incredible that she could possibly be finished in time, but you see that was before I knew " P.-B." As a matter of fact P.-B. 1 was ready, as " FLIGHT " readers will remember. Even before the show 'bus was finished the drawings for a new and improved type were already being prepared. The chief characteristic of this machine was that on terminating a flight the wings could, if desired, be left behind and the pilot proceed in the hull, motor boat fashion. XXX Although the war stopped further experiments along these lines there can be little doubt that at some future date the idea will be developed, for it has, undoubtedly, considerable advantages. Shortly before the outbreak of war, yet a different type of machine issued from the works at Southampton. This time it was a little single-seater scout, which was, it may be remembered, designed, built and flown within a week. Another proof of " P.-B.'s" characteristic " push and go " methods. Of his activities since the outbreak of war nothing may be said at present, but a time back reference was made in these columns to a little single-seater pusher scout, fondly nicknamed the " sparklet," which showed her paces at Hendon. Power for power she was probably the fastest pusher in the world. Since then other things have happened, but all through the predominant feature in " P.-B.'s" activity has been his ability to get things done and get them done quickly. It is to be hoped that this capability will stand him in good stead in the difficult task that awaits him in the House of Commons. ^EOLUS. ® ® 1689 Corporal E. P. ROBERTS, Royal Flying Corps. For conspicuous good work as an observer. In September, when certain photographs were urgently required, and the clouds were very low, he took the photographs under a heavy fire. 235 Sergeant A. SCOTT, Royal Flying Corps. For conspicuous devotion to duty and resource. Throughout the campaign he has always exhibited great technical ability and untiring energy, and has been in no small measure responsible for the efficiency of the plans sent out to squadrons. 3038 Sergeant F. V. WRIGHT, Royal Flying Corps. For conspicuous devotion, great initiative and energy, and thoroughly good and valuable work throughout the campaign. H E to improve some of the records. According to the Petit Journal, in a recent six hours* flight with passengers at Etampes, he made four records, three of which are said to have been approved by the Ae.CF. He took four passengers up to 11,028 ft. in twenty- eight minutes, only the cold preventing him going higher. 219
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