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Aviation History
1923
1923 - 0288.PDF
•am MAY 31, 1933 the Aerial Derby and the Schneider seaplane race. The announcement reads somewhat humorously, as it appears that the Air Council takes it for granted that a British machine will always win the Schneider Cup Race. Although this is a compliment to British constructors, it does not follow that we shall have the good fortune to carry off this coveted trophy always. Even this year we shall be pitted against formidable competitors from France, Italy and the United States. Nevertheless, the offer is to be welcomed as showing willingness to help, in a material form, and in the case of the Aerial Derby the offer to purchase the winning machine does definitely mean the certain purchase of a British machine, as the prizes offered in this event are not such as to be likely to attract any foreign competitors. We have repeatedly pointed out in these columns the enormous importance of giving encouragement to the constructors of racing machines, and have pointed out as an example the way in which the American Government helps American constructors by placing orders for racing machines to take 'part in such races as the Pulitzer, and to establish world's records. While the offer to purchase in the event of winning is far from being the same as an order for a machine to take part in a race, it is at any rate some encouragement to constructors, and should help greatly towards a better entry list for the Derby. Unfortunately, however, the offer comes a little too late to be of much use this year. The production of a racing machine cannot be undertaken at a moment's notice, and it is quite conceivable that more than one firm would have built a machine, had this offer been made a couple of months ago. A certain amount of uncertainty seems to prevail as regards the interpretation of the sentence " pro- vided the aircraft is, in each case, British designed, built, and owned, and is not of a type which has previously won either race." What will determine whether or not a machine is of the same type as that which won the previous race ? For instance, suppose Mr. Folland put smaller wings on the " Bamel " (if that be possible), or changed it into a monoplane. Would that make it a new type, or would it still be regarded as the " Bamel " ? Or if he put the wings on the wrong way and made the machine fly tail first, would it still be the ' Bamel " ? Or if the Supermarine " Sea Lion " were given another step, or had one subtracted, or had her struts raked instead of straight, would she still be considered to be the " Sea Lion," or would she be entitled to be known as a new type ? We are not asking these questions idly. It is possible to foresee that considerable controversy might arise out of the definition of a " new type." It may be that the wording is merely unfortunate, and that the Air Council is willing to take a reasonable view of the matter, but it would be a good thing if a somewhat more precise statement could be made. It may save heartburnings in the long run. '•._. ;. , ; The The result of the deliberations of theJov-sfick" Frencn Supreme Court in the action Action brought by. M. Robert Esnault-Pelterie has been the award to the patentee of the " Manche a Balai," or " joy-stick," of no less than 1\ million francs, payable partly by the French State and partly by certain French aircraft con- structors. Following the taking action in France, it appears that M. Esnault-Pelterie issued writs against? certain British constructors for payment of royalties on machines sent to France during the War. With the ethics of the case we are not concerned here. If M. R. E. P. wishes to impose upon British con- structors payment of royalties on the control stick fitted on machines sent to France in order to assist our Ally in her struggle, he has, no doubt, every legal right to make the effort, whether it may be, regarded as cricket or not. What matters is that if Pelterie persists, and the Courts decide he is right, heavy sums may well be demanded in which British constructors may be very much concerned. In looking at this matter one can only come to one conclusion—that this is not a question to be decided by private firms. The machines sent to France were built to the order of the Government, were used in the business of the nation, for purposes of carrying on the War, and that, con- sequently, any action to be taken on the subject of royalties, patents, etc., should be the business of the Government. Incidentally one can foresee not incon- siderable difficulties in determining with any degree of exactitude whether certain of the machines sent over were operating in France, in Belgium, or in Germany. .. . -; Royal Air Force Memorial Fund A MEETING of the Executive Committee was held on May 9, the following being present: Lord Hugh Cecil (Chairman), Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan, Mrs. Barrington- Kennett, Mrs. L. M. K. Pratt-Barlow, Sir Charles McLeod, Air Vice-Marshal J. F. A. Higgins, Air Commodore H. R. M. Brooke-Popham, Lieut.-Commdr. H. E. Perrin. The amount of grants sanctioned by the Grants Sub- Committee since the previous meeting of the Executive Committee on March 28, amounting to ^757 3s. 9d., was approved. The number of cases dealt with since the last meeting was just over one hundred. The Hon. Treasurer announced that the sale of " Wood- cote," Ascot, had been at last carried out, and it was hoped at a very early date to commence the issue of grants under the " Salting Benefaction Fund," in aid of the education of the sons and daughters of officers, past and present, of the Royal Air Force, preference being given to the children of officers who fell in the War or died as the result of service in the War. The next meeting of the Executive Committee was fixed for June 31, at 3 p.m. Subsequently a meeting of the War Memorial Sub- Committee, with Lord Hugh Cecil in the Chair, took place, and many details concerned with the unveiling of the War Memorial at the Whitehall Stairs, Victoria Embankment, which is to be performed bylH.R.H. the Prince of Wales at 12 noon on Monday, July .16 next, were discussed at length. International Air Races.—Air Ministry's Offer THE Air Ministry announces that, with a view to en- couraging the entry by British aircraft constructors of British racing aircraft in international air races, the Air Council have undertaken, in this and future years until further notice, to purchase, for a sum not exceeding /3.000 in each case, the winning aircraft (without engine) in both the Aerial Derby and the Schneider cup races, provided that the aircraft is, in each case, British designed, built, and owned, and is not of a type which has previously won either race. The Council consider that the production of aircraft capable of winning these events represents a definite advance in design, and official experiments will be undertaken after the purchase so that the full research and military value of the machine may be obtained. The Aerial Derby is an international race, which is being held this year at Hendon on the August Bank Holiday, open to any type of landplane or amphibian, and the Schneider cup race, which will take place this year at Cowes on September 27 and 28, is the principal international race open to seaplanes or amphibians. ^_^J 288
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