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Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0485.PDF
JULY 21, ig2f QE99 THE SOMEHOW or other Aerial Derby Day last Saturday, was disappointing. Compared with previous Aerial Derbys it presented a. sort of tameness, and except for one or two out- standing features, we went away after the " show " with no more impression on our minds than would be left after visiting a very ordinary flying meeting—which war. by no means the case previous years. No doubt this was due to the fact that out of a representative entry of twenty machines, eight scratched, the majority of which were favourites or " dark horses." Of the twelve starters—only one of which, the Napier-Lion-Mars I, claiming any special interest—seven completed the full course. Then, the attendance, too, was poor indeed, and seemed to consist mainly of those directly interested in or connected with '• Flight " Copyright Group-Captain H.R.H. The Duke of York at Hendonbeing escorted over the aerodrome by Gen. Sir S. W. Brancker and Col. Frank McClean. aviation—there appeared to be as many people on the aero-drome itself, around the machines, as in the enclosures. Even the hill by Hendon Church outside the aerodrome lackedthe usual well-filled fly-paper appearance. As regards the weather, it was gloriously fine and, well, hot and then some.The absence of any wind worth speaking about, although tend- ing to keep the speed of the faster machines within normalfigures, rather helped matters as regards the handicap, and gave the smaller fry a chance. From noon till about 2 o'clock we nosed around the" stables," inspected the mounts, worried the jockeys and owners and made inquiries rs non-starters. Elsewhere willbe found some technical notes on the machines and a few other items of interest connected therewith, so we will get going on actual events themselves. Shortly after 2 o'clock Group-Capt. H.R.H. the Duke of York arrived, and having seen the Oxford and Cambridge teams well on their way, had, unfortunately, to leave to.fulfil another engagement. THE INTER-UNIVERSITY AIR RACE The first Oxford and Cambridge Air Race was undoubtedly an event, and was an unqualified success. It certainly con- vinced us—bearing in mind also the splendid standard Avro race at the last Aerial Pageant—that the establishment of " one-design " classes for aeroplane racing, much after the style of one-design boat races where ali the boats are built to one design and specification (scantlings, sail areas, etc., being the same for all the boats), would provide some really good sport which need not be very costly. The two teams, each consisting of three " S.E.sa's "• (220 h.p. Wolseley-Viper), lined up near the centre ot the aerodrome, facing the enclosure. Oxford was represented by A. R. Boeree (Oriel), No. 25 ; N. Pring (New), No. 21) ; and A. V. Hurley (Keble), No. 31 : Cambridge by H. A. Francis (Caius), No. 32 ; W. S. Philcox (Caius), No. "30 ; and R. K. Muir (St. Catharine's), Nc. 26. The course consisted of three laps of the circuit Hendon- Epping-Hertford-Hendon, a distance of approximately 129 miles. Tn starting one of the Oxford pilots got away before the flag dropped, and had to circle back and recross the line, thus falling a little way behind the others; who got away fairly evenly. The Cambridge team climbed high at the start, possibly in the hope of finding cooler air, whilst the Oxford remained low down. They all made for the direction of the Edgware Road, and turning towards Epping were soon out of sight About 20 minutes later they were observed returning to Hendon all in a bunch. The first to cross the aerodrome was No. 30 of the Cambridge team, with another Cambridge man, No. 26, some three seconds behind. No. 25 (Oxford), followed six seconds later, and next the third Cambridge man, No. 32, four seconds behind, with only one second separating him from No. 29 (Oxford). No. 31 (Oxford) brought up the rear five seconds later. Aftet rounding No. 1 pylon they all made for the second journey to Epping, the first turning point. At the end of the second lap Cambridge obtained 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, and No. 30 was still leading. Their order in crossing the mark, and the number of seconds intervening between each man, was as follows :—No. 30, No. 26 (14), No. 32 (9), No. 29 (4), No. 25 (4), No. 31 (7). In the finish the Cambridge team maintained the same order, whilst No. 31 (Oxford) got ahead of No. 25. No. 29 had to land at Enfield. Cambridge thuswon the first of what we hope will be a regular annual Inter- University fixture. The complete times for the first and se-cond laps and the finish are given in the accompanying table. The pilots made " priceless " landings at the conclusion of therace. THE AERIAL DERBY In the meantime the machines were being lined up for theAerial Derby, and before the University teams arrived home, the first on the list, Capt. Tully's Avro Baby 2-seater (35 h.p.Green) was sent on its way prompt to time (3 h. 32 m. 36 s.).. Full particulars and times of the competitors are given inour table. The second away was Sporty Bert Hinkler, on a brand new Baby single-seater, but he did not seem to climbparticularly well and wobbled a bit when over the sheds—• Mo. RESULT Pilot. OF FIRST OXFORD First lap. Position. Time. Speed. V. CAMBRIDGE AIR Second lap. Position. Time. Speed. Position. RACE Third lap. Time. Speed. Aggt. Points. Oxford Team 25 3i 29 26 32 30 AT R. BoereeA. V. Hurley N. Pring R. K. Muir H. A. Francis W. S. Philcox 3 6 5 m. 27 27 27 s. 43 53 48 no 109 no •4 •74 •07 5 6 4 m. 49 40 49 s. 13 20 9 114 114 114 •63 •32 •75 5 4 Down E h. m. s. 1 9 59V 1 9 55 nfield. 117-46 117-56 Cambridge Team 2 4 .1 27 27 27 37 47 34 no noin •82 •13 2 3 1 48 49 48 56 5 22 115 114 "5 •26 •90 •81 2 3 1 39J" 48 204 Il8 117 Il8 •76 •55 C-
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