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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0638.PDF
- ••• OCTOBER 2, 1924 O O O O O O O O O O O o o o o o o o A Busy Scene at Lympne: Pushing out the Vickers "Vagabond" biplane (Bristol " Cherub "). O O O O O O O Lympne, Tuesday evening The early hours of this morning looked far from promising and there were indications of a change in the weather. Scattered clouds were lying very low and there was a feel of rain in the air. Nevertheless, there was great activity on the aerodrome and in the sheds long before the opening hour of 10. Engines were being overhauled and tested, and a goodly number of visitors arriving shortly before 10 found plenty to watch. Several of the machines were wheeled across to the northern side of the aerodrome shortly after 10, the first to get away being Haig on the Parnall " Pixie Ufa " biplane. He was followed a few minutes later by Piercey on No. 4, the Beard- more " Wee Bee I," whose high-speed test of two sets of No. 19 did not find things to his liking, and returned to the aerodrome, where he made an excellent landing. In the meantime Longton had got his Anzani running, and made a very good take-off on Hawker No. 14, in spite of the fact that the grass was rather long for his small wheels. Without losing any time Longton got on his course and commenced " lapping." The Bristol " Brownie," No. 1, took off a couple of minutes after Longton and swung around the tent and onto his course as if making for the Postling turning point. While still within the aerodrome, however, he turned left, and for a few minutes he cruised around and then landed. Shortly before noon, Hinkler was seen to be coming down, and after a circuit or two of the aerodrome he made a perfect 1r^ " ••• o o o o o o o The Parnall "Pixie III" half-breed at Lympne. This machine, No. 18, is fitted with a Bristol "Cherub." O O O O O O O o o o o o o o o o o o five laps of the course on Monday gave an average speed of 70-11 m.p.h. and a total time of 1 hr. 46 mins. 58 sees. This time, of course, counts towards the 10 hours' flying stipulated as the minimum to be done during the week. Considering the high wind on Monday, an average speed of over 70 m.p.h. must be regarded as distinctly good, especially as Piercey was by no means going " all out." The Cranwell biplane, No. 3, did three laps of the course during Monday—a distance of 37£ miles—and put in 1 hr. 4 mins. 28 sees, towards the 10 hours. Although slow, this machine flies very well, and every one is full of admira tion for the splendid effort which the Cranwell amateurs are making. However, to return to today's work, Hinkler had had his engine and mounting seen to, and as everything seemed to be working well, he decided to take the Avro for a flip, although she is, of course, out of the competition. His take-off was reasonably good, and for a time Hinkler kept cruising over the aerodrome, gaining height. He was soon above the low clouds, and only occasionally could one get a glimpse of him. As he got up to about 2,000 ft. he began to do sharply banked turns and seemed to be quite enjoying himself. Shortly before 11 the Parnall biplane, No. 18, landed after having been up for about half an hour. Its " sister ship," No. 19, took off a few minutes after 11. He was tossed about a good deal by the gusts and eddies coming in over the trees to the south of the aerodrome, and instead of rounding the aerodrome turning-point he kept straight on, going to the edge of the ridge, over which there is usually a strong upward current which many have found useful for getting a little extra lift. Turning along the ridge for a short distance, three-point landing, the Avro " Avis " pulling up practically in its own length. Longton seemed to be away longer than he should have been, and just as his ground staff were be ginning to get anxious, a telephone message came through that he had landed in a small field at Monks Horton shortly The Second Parnall " Pixie III " mono-biplane, No. 19, in flight. 638
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