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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0378.PDF
the coming summer and autumn, it may be of assist ance if we briefly outline the aims and objects of some of the more important fixtures, leaving it to the judgment of potential donors to decide whether or not the splendid example set by the donors men tioned in the previous paragraph is worth following. In any case it should be remembered that all the flying races and competitions are being held under the racing rules of the Royal Aero Club, which is the institution governing all sporting flying in Great Britain, and that therefore any gifts that it may be intended to present should be allocated after con sultation with the Royal Aero Club. On Saturday, June 28, there will be held at Hendon the Fifth Royal Air Force Aerial Pageant. This meeting is purely a service affair organised by the Royal Air Force, the various " events " being carried out by R.A.F. personnel on service machines. The proceeds, it should be pointed out, are devoted to charities in connection with the R.A.F. It will be well to recall that no aviation meeting held in this country, nor probably in the world, is better organised, while the displays given are unequalled for their spectacular quality. Nowhere is it possible to witness better flying, and it may be stated that representatives of many foreign air services, governments, etc., always make a point of being present in order to study the methods of organisation and the latest forms of " stunt " flying, squadron drill, formation flying, etc. It will thus be seen that although the meeting is of a very exceptional character everyone interested in aviation is free to help, not by offering prizes, but by visiting the Hendon Aerodrome on the day of the Pageant. Apart from seeing probably the best flying " show " on earth, there is the great satisfaction of knowing that one is helping a very worthy cause. The next flying event in Great Britain is the King's Cup Race for a Challenge Cup presented by His Majesty the King, and for a first prize of £100 pre sented by Mr. Samuel Samuel, and a second prize, also of £100 presented by Sir Charles Wakefield. It had been intended this year to make the race for the King's Cup a seaplane race, and it was hoped that the Air Council would have allowed service machines to take part. This, however, the Air Council has not agreed to do, and as there are very few privately owned seaplanes it is to be feared that but few machines of this type will take part. It has since been decided to open the race to machines of all types, whether aeroplanes, seaplanes, flying boats or amphibians, and to hold the race on July 26. The aeroplanes will start from Martlesham Heath and the seaplanes from Felixstowe Air Station, while amphibians may start from either place. All machines will be started at 5.30 a.m., and the race will be a handicap on a time allowance basis for the whole course. The course totals approximately 950 miles, and turning points are at Leith, Dalmuir and Fal mouth, with finish at Lee-on-Solent. Competitors E H The Royal Aero Club and the R.A.F. WE would remind readers that the Royal Aero Club admits officers of the R.A.F., R.A.F. Reserve and Air Ministry departments to full membership without entrance fee at the normal annual subscription of two guineas. Not only is the R.Ae.C. not in competition with the R.A.F. Club, but rather the reverse, dealing as the Royal Aero Club does^with the sporting side of aviation, and therefore JUNE 12, 1924 are at liberty to follow any route they choose, pro vided they properly round the prescribed turning points. It is to be feared that as there is no telling where the different competitors will pass over, apart from the three turning points, public attention to the race must be very limited, more especially as by starting the machines at the same time it will be quite impossible for the general public to appreciate who is winning. Not even by being present at Lee-on-Solent can one form any idea, as the handicap allowance will have to be deducted from the actual flying time before the winner can be declared. The order of arriving at the finishing line will be no guide. The arrangement chosen seems about as little calculated to stimulate public interest as possible. On August 4 the Aerial Derby will be held at Lympne in Kent. This race is the British speed race of the year, and is of international character, although the amounts available for prizes have hitherto been rather too small to attract competitors from abroad. This vear it is intended to award prizes to the amount of £575 for this race, but even so this is scarcely enough to ensure participation from France, which is of course the country most likely to enter machines. Time is getting very short, but prompt action in increasing the prizes to at least £1,000 would probably still have the effect of bringing over some of the famous French pilots and machines that would really give the race the interest it deserves. On the same day, and at the same place, as the Aerial Derby, there will be a race for light 'planes, limited to an engine capacity of 1,100 c.c. £125 has been allocated to this race from the R.Ae.C. Racing Fund, but a few more prizes would be welcomed. Probably most of last year's light 'planes, and a few of this year's models, will be entered. A light 'plane meeting, under the racing rules of the R.Ae.C., for prizes of more than £3,oOO offered by the Air Ministry and by private individuals, will be held at Lympne from September 8 to September 13. This competition, however, is ahead ' assured of ample financial assistance, and more good might be done by extra donations to some other meeting for light 'planes, to be decided upon in consultation with the Royal Aero Club. In October the race for the Schneider Cup will be held at Baltimore, U.S.A., the Cup having been won by the Curtiss-Navy racer at Cowes last year. It has been decided to enter machines by Great Britain, but as the expenses of so doing are very great any financial assistance forthcoming would be welcomed, and might help materially towards bringing this much-coveted seaplane trophy back to Great Britain. It will be seen that there art- many meetings and competitions worthy of support, and we sincerely trust that the Racing Fund of the Royal Aero Club may receive such financial help as to make this summer's races the finest ever held in Great Britain. Ill EI promoting air races and various competitions. Thus progress in machines, engines and equipment is continually being pushed onwards, and every advance must tend to the practical^improvement in machines, to the advantage of the Air Force. By supporting the Royal Aero Club, therefore, officersTof the service are giving support to themselves by helping'forward the best propaganda work. From an interest in sporting frying ittis but a short step to general interest in the Royal Air Force.
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