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Aviation History
1925
1925 - 0609.PDF
SEPTEMBER 24, 1925 THE SCHNEIDER CUP SEAPLANE RACE British Representatives Leaving on Saturday THE two British seaplane challengers built for this year's Schneider Cup Race at Baltimore having passed their Air Ministry tests, and having been definitely approved and permitted to go to the United States to represent Great Britain, it is now certain that this country will be represented by two machines in the forthcoming seaplane race. The British representatives and their machines are leaving London on Saturday of this week, September 26, on the s.s. " Minnewaska." During last week representatives of the Press were per- mitted to see the racers, although it was not found possible to give demonstration flights. The Supermarine-Napier S.4 was inspected, at Southampton, on September 17, while the Gloster-Napier III was seen at Felixstowe seaplane station on September 18. Judging by appearances, the two British challengers should be very fast indeed—certainly very much faster than anything we have hitherto built in this country. Whether or not they will be sufficiently fast to bring the Cup back to this country remains to be seen. It corresponding to an average speed of 139-7 kms./hr. (86-8 m.p.h.y Owing to the War, no race was held until 1919, when, an English pilot having won the race in 1914, the Schneider Cup Race wras held at Bournemouth. On the day of the race there was a thick mist over parts of the course at Bournemouth, particularly round the Swanage turning point, and all the competitors gave up with the exception of the • Italian pilot, Janello, flying a Savoia flying-boat biplane. Janello covered the prescribed number of laps, but as he was not seen from the Swanage mark boat, there was con- siderable discussion as to whether or not he had properly completed the course. Finally it was decided to annul the race, but, as a compliment to Janello's pluck in flying round the course despite the adverse weather conditions, it was decided to award the Italian Aero Club the organisation of the race for the following year. The 1920 Schneider Cup Race was held at Venice, and was won by the Italian pilot Bologna, who, on a Savoia flying- THE SCHNEIDER CUP RACE : The British power plant. The Napier racing engine is a direct development of the famous "Lion," but these two views show that apart from other changes, the racing engine has been considerably cleaned up so as to allow of a neat cowling being used. The power output is, of course, very considerably greater than that of the standard Lion. would be dangerous to be over-confident, but this much may,at any rate, be said, that the British challengers should this year have a sporting chance in the race, which, after all issaid and done, is all that one has any right to expect. HISTORY OF THE SCHNEIDER CUP RACE Before describing the two British machines it may be helpful to give a brief history of the Schneider Cup Seaplane Race, from the time of its inception in 1913, up to the present day. The Schneider trophy and substantial money prizes were first offered by Monsieur Jacques Schneider in 1913, when the first race for the trophy was held at Monaco. The distance to be flown in the first'Schneider race was 150 nautical miles (172-83 land miles), or 278 kms. This race was won by the famous French pilot, Prevost, who was flying a Deperdussin monoplane with 150 h.p. Gnome engine. Prevost's time for the 278 kms. was 3 hours 48 mins. 28 sees. ; corresponding to an average speed of 72-6 kms./hr. (45-75 m.p.h.). The 1914 Schneider Cup Race was also held at Monaco, and was over a total distance of 280 kms. The race was won easily by C. Howard Pixton, who was flying a Sopwith twin-float biplane with 100 h.p. Gnome Monosoupape engine. Pixton's time over the 280 kms. was 2 hrs. 0 mins. 13| sees., boat, covered the 375 kms. in 2 hrs. 10 mins. 35 sees., at an average speed of 172-3 kms./hr. (107 m.p.h.). Venice was again chosen as the venue for the 1921 Schneider Cup Race, which was one of 370-4 kms. The race was again won by a Savoia flying boat, piloted by the Italian De Briganti, whose time was 2 hrs. 4 mins. 29 sees., corresponding to an average speed of 178-5 kms./hr. (Ill m.p.h.). For the 1922 Schneider Cup race a British machine was entered. If this race had been won by an Italian pilot the Schneider trophy would have become the property of Italy, as it would then have been won three years in suc- cession. The Supermarine challenger, however, won a magnificent victory at Naples, piloted by Captain H. C. Biard. The Supermarine boat, which was fitted with a Napier " Lion " engine, covered the distance of 370 kms. in 1 hr. 34 mins. 51| sees., at an average speed of 234-6 kms./hr. (145-7 m.p.h.). The 1922 race having been won by a British pilot, the 1923 race was held in this country, Cowes being the venue chosen for the race. Only two British defenders had been built for the 1923 race, and one of these, a Blackburn " Pellet," sankduring an attempt to take off in the eliminating trials, leaving only the Supermarine flying boat to defend the cup. The British machine was hopelessly outclassed in 609
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