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Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0316.PDF
APRIL*I3, 1916. ^=G2> <>i all the "tall" yarns of the war the one told this week by the Central News Petrograd correspondent takes some beating. A Russian seaplane, it is stated, was rest ing on the sea near its mothership, when the latter sud denly darted forward. A hostile torpedo had been fired at it from a submarine, but the look-out discovered it and the cruiser quickly shifted out of the way of the approach ing missile. The seaplane, however, which was resting on the water was right in line with the torpedo. The aviator saw it coming, and by the time it reached him it was so nearly spent that he reached out his hand and "seized the deadly engine by the head." Before he could decide what to do with his "catch," the torpedo slipped out of his hands and sank. A very unkind thing to do, since it deprived him of an unique trophy in proof of his adventure. There are such disbelievers about! xxx A short time ago the Beatty-Wright biplane fitted with an enclosed nacelle made her dibut under none 100 favour able weather conditions, and so well did she behave that during the next few days her services were much sought after by " ticketers," who one and all agreed that she was very easy to handle and that the enclosed nacelle afforded much greater comfort than the exposed position of the usual Wrights. In addition to her popularity at the Heatty school the new machine is quite an attraction at Hendon, where her appearance is a never failing source of merriment. More than one of those who have seen her in the air—personally I have not yet had the oppor tunity—have described her to me as the funniest thing that ever happened, and judging from her appearance when on the ground I can well imagine that she is dis tinctly quaint under those conditions. However, nothing can rob her of her popularity among the Beatty contin gent, and after all she flies very well, so what matters it if she is the funniest thing anywhere around ? XXX Lying in a corner, a nacelle, and propped up against the walls, a pair of wings of a pusher looked strangely familiar to me the other day in the Hall sheds. On closer inspection these proved to be those of the Avro pusher exhibited at the last Olympia Aero Show. The machine, it aopears, has been acquired with the idea of using it as a passenger carrier and for instruction pur poses. It is intended to fit her with dual control, so that when the weather is too bumpy for ordinary school work she can be used for getting the pupils some extra practice at a height where the wind, although strong, is more steady than nearer the ground. At present the Avro is minus an engine, but in the near future this will be remedied, and after certain alterations have been effected the combination will be ready to take up her duties at the school. xxx Mr. H. Benningfield, the young South African who came to England last year with some original ideas on aeroplane design, and for the purpose of getting a machine built according to his ideas, has joined tht R.F.C 1 where his services in the double capacity of designer and pilot should prove very useful. While Mr. Benningfield is serving with the R.F.C., his designs are in the hands of a well-known aircraft firm, who are getting out the working drawings for his machine. About the latter it is silence at present, but I bear that several people in authority have expressed a good opinion of it, so that it is quite probable that S. Africa may be an early contributor of an original machine to our air services. iEoLUS. Harry A. Rlgb* and P. V. Tanner, of Queensland, who both took excellent "tickets" at the G.-W. School recently. Mr. Rigby made his first landing—In the qualifying tests -14 yds. from the mark, and did his vol plane from BOO ft., while Mr, Tanner went one better by making his first atterntsage 12 vds. from and his second dead on the mark. In order to make assurance doubly sure, be took his machine up to 1,750 ft. in the altitude test before starting his vol plant, which was carried out from this height in a manner that left no doubt about his ability in handling his mount. 316
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