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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0733.PDF
NOVEMBER 20, 1924 THE BALTIMORE NAVY-SEAPLANE MEETING ON October 26 last, a successful race meeting for seaplanes was held at Baltimore, U.S.A., and through the courtesy of our American contemporary Aviation we give below a brief report of the proceedings :— This meeting was organised for U.S. Naval Seaplanes by the Flying Club of Baltimore in co-operation with the Naval Air Committee of the Bureau of Aeronautics of the Navy, and, to a certain extent, took the place of the Schneider Cup Seaplane race, which was to have taken place at Baltimore about the same time. According to reports, the effort on the part of the U.S. Navy (Air) to give a good " show " to make up for the postponed Schneider Cup Race was met with some considerable success, and not only did they provide the material—men and machines—for some thrilling racing, but they put all strict service discipline aside and entertained the guests of the Club with true naval courtesy. Thanks to the United Railways and Electric Company, an ideal site for the meeting was secured at the amusement resort Bay Shore Park, which borders on Chesapeak Bay, about 14 miles from Baltimore but within easy access. A long pier extending out into the Bay made a perfect grand stand, from which every event could be witnessed with ease. It is estimated that some 15,000 people assembled at the Park to see the races, while many civilian seaplanes lined up along the shore added further interest, and also offered opportunities for joy-rides. Weather conditions were ideal, both for pilots and spectators. There were a dozen events down on the programme, and during the " flying off " of these it is claimed that 13 new records were established. The most important of the events was a speed race between the two Curtiss CR 3 seaplanes, which captured the Schneider Cup last year. These two machines were fitted with Curtiss D 12 engines, and were piloted by Lieuts. Ralph A. Ofstie and G. T. Cuddihy. They flew over the Schneider Cup course, and attempted to better the 500 and 3 km. records. Both machines retained their respective distances practically throughout the race, and the start and finish took place within full view of the spectators. Lieut. Ofstie broke three world's records in this event, as follows : 100 km., 176-82 m.p.h. ; 200 km., 177-29 m.p.h. ; and 500 km., 161-13 m.p.h. Thus, the first record was increased by 47-07 m.p.h. (previous record, Biard, 129-75 m.p.h.), the second by 7-4 m.p.h. (previous record, Ritten- house, 169-89 m.p.h.), and the third by 87 • 72 m.p.h. (previous record, Wead and Price, 73-41 m.p.h.). <•> • Royal Aeronautical Society Lecture.—-The next meeting of the Royal Aeronautical Society will take place in the Society's Library, 7, Albemarle Lieut. Cuddihy then flew the 3 km. course and created a new world's seaplane record of 189-66 m.p.h., an increase of 15-59 m.p.h.'over the previous record, by Passaleva (Italy) of 174-07 m.p.h. Another important event was the Baltimore Sun Trophy race, a handicap race over a 12-lap course, a total distance of 80 miles. Six machines entered for this event as follows : E. Nirmaier and W. A. Regan, both on Curtiss MF's with C6 engines, H. O. Hollingshead on a similar machine fitted with an OX5, E. Keddie on another MF with a K6 engine, H. Rogers on a Loening air yacht, F. Mills on an Aeromarine 39B. There was some delay in starting the machines owing to the fact that the Curtiss racers were still in the air when this event was due to commence, while it took some time to get the machines lined up and away. The machines were in view of the spectators throughout the race, and owing to the wide difference in speed much excitement was provided by the consequent " passing " of the various competitors. This event was won by Nirmaier with a speed of 76 -18 m.p.h., Regan was second with 74 -05 m.p.h., and Hollingshead third with 63-52 m.p.h. Keddie and Rogers finished fourth and fifth respectively, Mills on the Aeromarine dropping out on the 11th lap. Before this race came to a close another event was started, as it was getting late and dark. This was the Torpedo 'Plane race, over eight laps of the course—52 -28 miles—in which four Douglas torpedo 'planes started, T2, T8, T10 and Til. At the finish it was almost dark, and at times only the tail lights of the machines and the flare of their exhausts were visible This event was won by Lieut. McKay in the Til with a speed of 80-88 m.p.h., Lieut. Patterson on the T10 being second with 76 -38 m.p.h. The other two competitors were forced down by engine trouble. Of the other events mention may be made of the efforts put up for the seaplane distance and duration records by Lieuts. G. Henderson and O. B. Hardison, both flying PN7's fitted with Wright T3 engines. Subject to verification the following records were established by these two pilots : Lieut. Henderson—Duration (1,000 kgs.), 5 hrs. 28 mins. 43 sees. ; distance, 400 kms. (248 miles); speed (100 kms.), 126 -345 kms. p.h.; (200 kms.), 126-345 kms. p.h. Lieut. Hardison—Duration (2,000 kgs.), 1 hr. 49 mins. 11 -9 sees. ; distance, 100 kms. ; speed (100 kms.), 110-08 km. p.h.; distance (1,500 kgs.), 150 kms.; speed. (1,500 kgs., 100 kms.), 110-39 kms. p.h. <$> <$> Street, at 5.30 p.m., on Thursday, November 27, when Dr. G. C. Simpson, C.B.E., F.R.S., Director of the Meteorological Office, will read a paper on " Thunder Storms and Aviation." FORMATION'FLYING IN SWEDEN: Our photograph shows one side of a formation of S.II Svenska Aero A.B. seaplanes during practice. The photograph, which was taken from the Squadron-Leader's machine, shows typical Swedish " country " below. 733
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