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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0066.PDF
aim should rather have been to try to let as many people as possible see the machines, even if only once or twice. We have no objection to air races at Bournemouth. In point of fact, week-end air races around the 25 miles' course at frequent intervals during the summer would be very excellent air propaganda. The point we do raise is that, of all races, it is that for the King's Cup which has been so planned. The preliminary regulations for the Schneider Cup this year do not give an - indication of changes of importance. The distance to be flown is 350 km. or 217-5 land miles, consisting of seven laps of a 50 km. course. It would appear that nothing is said concerning the "lay-out" of this course, and in view of the extremely difficult nature of cornering with fast racing machines it might, we think, be a good thing to change from the triangular course usually provided to a hexagonal or octagonal one. •»•»•» The prize plum—so far— promises to and be the Aerial Derbv- Started originally Secreter" as an international event, that race for years failed to attract foreign com- petitors because the prizes offered were not of sufficient magnitude to make it worth while sending a machine to this country. The race then degenerated into a purely national one, in which usually it was perfectly obvious beforehand which machine would win. Finally, the race was abandoned altogether. We are now told that the Bournemouth course is considered unsuitable for the Aerial Derby, and that it has been decided " to survey the Cranwell district and Salisbury Plain for a suitable course." Visualising such a selection, can " recklessness " go much farther ? In such densely-populated dis- tricts, surely it will be found extremely difficult to ensure that nobody shall see the machines. May we respectfully suggest that the Timbuctoo district and FEBRUARY 3, 1927 the Goby Desert be surveyed for a suitable course. There, at any rate, there is a very good chance that only a few incomprehensive indigenes may see the machines. Seriously, is it really possible that the intention actually is to hold the Aerial Derby on Salisbury Plain or " in the Cranwell district ? " And if so, what possible reason can there be for such a choice ? What have we got in the way of fast machines that would require such very special country ? Presum- ably the fastest machines we can muster will take part in the race for the King's Cup. If they are safe in that, why not in the Derby? Or is it that foreign competitors are expected, and have stipulated flying grounds such as those found much more frequently in France than in this country ? If that is the reason, what do we propose to put up against these foreign competitors ? Surely it cannot be that the Air Ministry has relented to the extent of permitting the four single-seater fighters, which are believed to be individually and collectively the fastest in the world, to take part in the Derby ? That would be welcome news indeed, but even so would not account for choosing " the Cranwell district or Salisbury Plain," as anyone will admit who has had the good fortune to see these machines landed by the firms' test pilots. Bert Hinkler puts the Avro "Avenger" down into the old Hamble aerodrome without trouble. Macmillan does what he likes with the Fairey " Fire- fly." Bulman floats into Brooklands at next to no speed on the Hawker " Hornbill," and Piercey treats the Gloster " Gorcock " as he would a " Grebe " or a "Gamecock." Then why " the Cranwell district or Salisbury Plain ? " " The Derby " is acclaimed the one day for " the people." In the original selection of the name of " The Aerial Derby," one is entitled to imagine that the main object was to emulate the popularity of its sire. Once again, therefore, why then " Cranwell or Salisbury Plain "? The King's Cup Air Race THE Royal Aero Club has submitted the conditions for this year's Race to the King, and they have received His Majesty's approval. The Race will be over a course of approximately 525 miles divided into three stages of 175 miles each. Each stage of 175 miles will consist of seven laps of a circuit of 25 miles and compulsory alightings must be made at the end of each seven laps. A circuit of 25 miles in the vicinity of Bournemouth has been carefully surveyed from the air and has been reported on as satisfactory for the Race. The Race will be held on August Bank Holiday and will be completed in one day. Full conditions and details of the course will be issued later. Schneider International Seaplane Race, 1927 THE Royal Aero Club announces that the Schneider Inter- national Seaplane Race will be held in Italy in 1927, between September 1 and November 15. The exact date and place will be announced later. British entries must be made to the Royal Aero Club, 3, Clifford Street, London, W.I, not later than Wednesday, February 23, 1927. Entries must be accompanied by the entry fee £5, and deposit of -£50. The deposit of £'50 is returnable in respect of each machine present at the contest. The Committee of the Royal Aero Club will select the three competitors to represent the British Empire and reserves to itself the right to hold eliminating tests. The general conditions for 1927 are as follows :— Navigability and Watcrtightnr.ss Test.—This eliminating test will begin with a navigability test and be followed by a watertightness test. These two tests are intended to establish the seaworthiness of the machine. Each machine must complete a course of from 5 to 10 nautical miles over the sea, or in a creek, gulf, estuary or bay, as decided by the Commissaires Sportifs. For this test the competitor must taxi over the starting line, then rise and continue the course, during which he must taxi the machine over two distances of half a nautical mile at a minimum speed of 12 knots, the limits of each of these distances being indicated by two buoys. The remainder of the course will be covered in flight. The competitor must, however, alight again before completing fhc course and taxi over the finishing line. The Com missa ires Sportifs may allow a competitor who has been unsuccessful in this test to make a second and final attempt. After having taxied over the finishing line, the machine must be moored immediately to a buoy allotted beforehand, where it must remain afloat for six hours without anyone on board. Any machine leaving its mooring during this period will be disqualified. No repairs will be allowed during the navigability and watertightness tests. Except for changing the propeller, which is allowed, the machine must not undergo any modi- fication between the above tests and the speed contest. It will be stamped to ensure this. Speed Contest—The Race will be contested over a dist- ance of 350 kilometres (188-86 nautical miles). The closed circuit will be about 50 kilometres (26-98 nautical miles). Competitors may be started all together or at intervals as shall be decided by the Commissaires Sportifs. If competitors are started at intervals the order of starting shall be drawn by lot, and the hour of starting fixed by the Commissaires Sportifs. The start may be made either by taxying over the starting line or by passing over it in flight. The finishing line must be crossed in flight. The course may, if necessary, be taken over the coast, the controls being on land, care being taken to avoid all arrange- ments likely to impede competitors. Alightings and repairs are allowed during the contest. In the event of unfavourable weather, the Cominissaires Sportifs may postpone the contest as often as they think fit. 54
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