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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 0468.PDF
APRIL 29, 1920 Nieuport climbs well, and in a short time the machine isbut a speck in the azure sky. A few minutes before six, the official " closing time," Lecointe alights, having reachedas recorded by bis barograph, a height of 5,330 m. This concludes the happenings for the day. Wednesday, April 21. The first man out today was Casale, who was anxious tobeat the altitude flight made yesterday by Lecointe. The Spad rose easily and gracefully, but alighted again shortlyafterwards, his height-recorder having again refused to record anything. The Nieuport is swung into the harbour a little later,Lecointe wanting to give himself more time than he had last night so as to try to improve on his previous altitude. Beforehe can get ready, however, an east wind springs up with Monegasque suddenness, and in an incredibly short time thesea outside is full of whitecaps, while even in the harbour itself there is a considerable swell running. This preventsthe start for the time being, and during the afternoon the wind increases to a gale, precluding all possibility of any ofthe machines going up. Towards evening the weather moderates somewhat, and it is highly probable that by to-morrow morning there will be a calm sea. The Caudron machines are said to have reached Toulonby air, where they will put their " slippers " on and proceed Monacowards. If the weather moderates the Caudrons,as well as some of the naval machines, may be expected here at any time. There is no news here of the Fairey seaplane yet, and sofar as is known the Portuguese boats (F 3's) are still at Calshot, waiting for better weather. Two Savoias are ex-pected to arrive by air either tomorrow or the day after. One cannot help regretting the absence of British'machines.These should have been here—several Sopwiths, Supermarines, Gosports, Phoenix-Corks, etc. So far as one can see atpresent, the only really up-to-date seaplanes to compete in the Tunis flight will be the " Savoias." Unless Caudron hassomething up his sleeve, there will be no Fr.ench machine of which any of our best seaplane designers need^be ^afraid. MONACO The course of the Monaco-Tunis, etc., flight. The " Tellier-Nieuport " is certainly not in accordance withmodern ideas of flying-boat design, and of the twin-float seaplane class there is as yet nothing here to compare with theFairey—when and if it arrives. It would almost appear necessary to repeat Mr. Grahame-White's warning, paintedon one of his H. Farmans in the early days of flying, " Wake up, England." •......, : . - '••"- V Monaco, Thursday, April; 22. To-day the weather is all that Monegasque weather shouldbe. The sky is blue, with but few clouds, such few as do break up the azure blue being at an altitude sufficient to makeany seaplane pilot envious. As a rule, the clouds hang very low, so that, even when the visibility at sea level is excellent,the " Tete de Chien " and other hills which surround the bay and harbour rear their summits well above the clouds.To-day, however, all the mountain tops in sight are clear of any clouds, and conditions generally point to an ideal dayfor flying. The sea is calm and promises well for getting off and alighting. One is therefore not surprised at meetingLieiit. Casale coming out from the headquarters of the com- mittee with a barograph under each arm. He has had severaldisappointments during the last couple of days with baro- graphs which baroed quite O.K., but which steadfastlyrefused to graph. To-day he is taking no chances and is carrying a duplicate instrument. Shortly after nt the Spadis put overboard, and after being towed out>in the centre of the harbour, Casale opens out his Hispano and rises gracefullyand with very little spray, the floats being well unstuck before he reaches the mouth of the harbour. The " Spad " climbsextremely well and is soon lost sight of! On board the " Nieuport-Tellier " there is great activity ;mechanics are repairing a faulty oil-cooler, and filling up with petrol and oil. Lecointe and Capt. Coli, his navigator, willattempt the " acceptance test " of climbing to 2,000 metres within 45 minutes. They both assure me that they will havelittle difficulty in doing so, and voice their confidence in the Sunbeam engine. In the meantime, Casale has returned, andhis barographs, which have worked this time, say that he has reached an altitude of 5,900 metres. I am not quitecertain, but am inclined to think that this may be a record jfor a Seaplane. If Lecointe were not so busy with the large"machine, there is no doubt he would soon be out with the little Nieuport, trying to go one better. After lunch Lecointe and Coli are ferried out to the boat, andshortly afterwards the " Nieuport-Tellier " is towed out in the bay. The Sunbeam engine is started and the machinemakes a few short runs while the engine is warming up. The first attempt at getting off is unsuccessful, a wave hittingone of the wing tip floats and veering the machine off its course. The next one gives better results and the machinegets off, at 3.25, after a comparatively short run. Once off, she climbs pretty well, considering her large load, and, takinga wide circle, is soon lost to view in the direction of Nice. Shortly after 4 o'clock a machine is seen approaching. Thisproves to be Lecointe's " Nieuport-Tellier," and from the fact that he has scarcely been away for more than the 45 mins.allowed for the climb, one guesses that he has passed the " acceptance test." The machine taxies right into the harbourunder her own power, and one learns that an altitude of 2,200 metres has been reached in 30 mins. Thus the machineis permitted to start for Tunis any day desired. News has just been received that a five-engined Caudronhas arrived at Istres and will proceed to St. Raphael this evening. It may then be expected here to-morrow orSaturday. Four naval flying boats, which will make the flight to Tunis and back, are expected to arrive here tomorrowafternoon. As Nieuports have only one pilot here— M. Lecointe—they will not be able to start in the speed raceon Sunday (25th), but the organisers of the Monaco meeting have offered another prize for a speed race to be flown on thefollowing Sunday, May 2. Unless the " Savoias " turn up : during the next day or so, it looks, therefore, as if the " Spad " will have to fly the speed race alone. By the way, " I understand that there is a possibility of the " Spad "attempting the Tunis flight. By doing it in stages (which is "permitted) she could probably just manage to cover thelongest course distance, and her speed is such that, ev«n counting the time spent in refuelling, she would stand a goodchance of doing the journey at least as quickly as the other competitors. It will still be remembered how Brock, on a • Grahame-White-built Morane monoplane, won the London- : Pans-London flight by not attempting to carry enoughfuel for the complete journey, but alighting at le Crotoy for replenishing his tanks. It is just possible that by employingthe same tactics the " Spad " may give quite a good account of itself. ^Much will naturally depend on the weather, as thismachine would stand little chance in a rough sea. 468
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