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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0694.PDF
SEPTEMBER 23, 1926 competitors left to four: No. 3, the Bristol " Brownie "; No. 4, the Farnborough " Cygnet " ; No. 6, the Hawker " Cygnet " ; and No. 14, the ParnaU " Pixie." The course today was Lympne — Dover — Manston —North F o r e 1 a n d—Re- culvers—Lympne, one of 66 miles, which had to be covered six times, giving a total mileage for the day of 396 miles. First to get away was Uwins on the Bristol " Brownie," who left about five minutes past eight, followed five minutes later by Chick on the Farnborough "Cygnet." Bulman got away on the Hawker "Cygnet " about 13 minutes past eight, followed half-a- minute later by Courtney on the "Pixie." The weather was kind to the competitors today, and all four machines had finished their day's'flying by 5 p.m. The day was quite unevent- ful, and at the end of the •lay's flying the following figures of merit had been attained : - :No. 6, 1-24 ; No. 4, 1-03; No. 3, 0-93; and No. 14, 0-86. Thus, the relative position of the four machines remains unaltered and this position is liable to remain unchanged to the finish. Lympne Aerodrome, Friday, September 17.—The course to- day was from Lympne to Croydon and back twice, a total distance of 212 miles. Mist and low clouds rendered the visibility extremelv poor during the early morning, and although Courtney was anxious to get away on the " Pixie," the officials prohibited any flying until the visibility improved. By about 10.20 a.m., however, there was a slight improve- ment, and permission was given for Courtney to start. Getting away at about half-past 10, he was soon lost sight of in the haze. The other competitors waited for a further improve- ment in the weather, but as it seemed doubtful if this could be counted upon, they started at short intervals, the first to get away (at about 11.23) being Bulman on No. 6, who was followed about 30 seconds later by Uwins on the " Brownie." Chick, on the R.A.E. " Cygnet." got away last, at about 11.25. Courtney returned from his first circuit at 8 minutes past 12, and reported that conditions, although ["FLIGHT" Photograph Capt. Broad cornering on the de Havilland "Moth " A'ith " Genet " engine in the S.M.M.T. Race. Average speed 94-75 m.p.h. on the Bristol " Brownie," third prize of £'500. not very favourable, were not too bad. After a stay of 32 minutes for re-fuelling, Courtney was away again on his last lap of the competi- tion. The other competitors also returned in time, and, having filled up their tanks, set out again. Courtney returned again during the afternoon and crossed the finishing line as first man to complete the total course of 1,994 miles. Strangely enough, not a single handclap greeted his excel- lent performance. In due timeT' the three other competitors returned, Bulman crossing the line as winner of the Daily Mail's first prize of ^3,000. Chick, on the other " Cygnet," was some 8 minutes later, and some fear was felt that he might have been compelled to land. However, at last, he returned, winner of the second prize of/1,500. His thermometer pipe had broken shortly after his leaving Croydon on the homeward lap, and he alighted at Biggin Hill. Discovering that the oil pressure was still O.K., he resumed and completed his circuit. Uwins, was third, thus winning the The " Eliminated " In the afternoon was held the race for the " eliminated," in other words, the race for the Stewards' Prize. This consisted of two laps of the I.ympne-Postling-Hastingleigh circuit, a total distance of 25 miles. Entered for it were the following machines, with the following handicap allowances : No. 1, the Blackburn " Bluebird," scratch ; No. 13, the A.N.E.C. " Missel-Thrush," 2 mins. 20 sees. ; No. 10. the Avro " Avis," 2 mins. 39 sees. ; No. 7, the Supermarine " Sparrow III," 3 mins. ; and No. 12, the Cramvell C.I..A.4, 4 mins. 5 sees. This race was won easily by Comper on the Cranwell, who maintained his lead throughout. Upon finishing the race he flew out over the marshes, where his engine was heard to splutter and he was seen to descend. It was later found that a fly had got into his carburettor. [" FLIGHT " Photograph Winning the S.M.M.T. Race : Hinkler on the Avro " Avian " with Armstrong- Siddeley "Genet" engine won this race at an average speed of 90 m.p.h. 618
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