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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0246.PDF
APRIL 14, 192' diameter, which had been marked out opposite the GrandStand. On this occasion the wind was blowing almost directly towards the latter, so that competitors were unableto get a clear run head to wind into the circle. Both Graham- White and Rolls carried out attempts, landing in the circle,almost across-wind, but coming to rest some distance outside. Eventually, Rolls made a second attempt, flying over theGrand Stand and diving into the circle. It was while Rolls was flattening out that the tail outrigger buckled sideways,was struck by the propellers, and collapsed, causing the machine to crash to earth, killing Rolls almost instantly. The Wednesday was a comparatively quiet day, the out-standing features consisting of such items as passenger flights by Graham-White, test flights by Audemars on the" Angry Wasp," and by Dickson, Morane, Cecil Grace and Barnes. Cody also brought his machine out of its hangar—and put it back. It was not until towards the close of the day that anyattempts were made for the contests, when Morane climbed to 4,100 ft., and then tried for speed, making 56-64 m.p.h.,while Dickson and Andemars went for slowest and fastest speeds, respectively. Thursday opened with the Starting Contest, for whichcompetitors made a last-minute rush, causing plenty of excitement and a slight dispute. The Alighting Contest wasalso run, Grahame-White getting nearest the " bull " with 7 yards from the centre. Further attempts at fastest lapsfollowed, but no one improved on Morane's 56 m.p.h. After Wagner and Grace had gone up for slow speed, Rawlinsonwent up on his Farman, but landed in the rough ground, with the result that his chassis collapsed and he was severelyinjured. The first event on Friday was the Weight Carrying Contest,which produced several competitors. Morane carried a passenger on his two-seater Bleriot, which was at that time anew model with pilot and passenger sitting side by side. Christiaens also competed, but he too landed in the roughground, broke up his machine, and sustained severe injuries. Grahame-White came next, but failed to carry the weightowing to a faulty engine. Dickson was the only competitor to complete the course with a passenger. After this came a few more attempts at speed, then followedthe sea flight to the Needles and back. This event caused much excitement, for it was one thing to see machines flyinground and round the pylons, but quite another thing to see them actua'ly flying across country ! Morane and Drexelboth tried for this event, and put up splendid flights in a stifrish wind. Morane accomplished the 21 miles in 25 mins.12£ sees. Drexel was carried off his course and took 10 mins. longer. An altitude flight by Grace and a slow flight byDickson ended the day's flying. There was a stiff wind blowing on the last day of the meeting,when the proceedings opened with a fine flight by " Jones " on his Farman, the only event of the morning. Conditionsimproved slightly in the afternoon, and once again " Jones " came forward. This time he decided to try for the Seaflight, although many thought it was very daring. However, he got away and[flew seawards, but in a short time down came the rain and he was lost sight of. Time passed, and he didnot return, so that there was little doubt that either he had been forced down in the sea—fortunately, a number of boatswere patrolling the course—or else he had landed on the island. It was, therefore, with some considerable relief that a telegramwas received some time later from the Isle of Wight stating that an aeroplane had been observed on the cliffs ! After the rain came a calm, which resulted in a certainamount of activity at the aerodrome. Morane came out for speed, followed by Drexel and Wagner, the latter crashinghis machine, without personal injury, in the " rough.'' Another, more serious, crash followed, when Boyle, alsolanding on the rough ground, was thrown out of his machine on his head, sustaining severe concussion. Fortunately, hewas wearing a safety helmet, or his injuries might have been more serious—as it was he was unconscious for an hour ormore. Some excellent flying was put up by Audemars on the"Angry Wasp" and McArdle on the Bleriot during the afternoon, while further attempts were made at the un-wonprizes in the weight-carrying contest, and also some final efforts by Dickson for distance and altitude. In the weight-carrying event both Grahame-White and Morane took up passengers, the former lifting 425 lbs. and the latter 412 lbs.And so ended the first Bournemouth aviation meeting ! Before concluding, it may perhaps be of interest if wegive a summary of the results of the various contests, viz. :— General Merit—(1) Morane (Bleriot) ; (2) Drexel (Bleriot) and Grahame-White (H. Farman) : (4) Dickson (H. Farman). Speed (5 laps = 8 miles 1,620 yards)—(1) Morane,55-9 m.p.h. ; (2) Audemars ("Demoiselle"), 46-54 m.p.h.: (3) Wagner (Hanriot), 43-87 m.p.h. ; (4) Drexel, 40-52 m.p.h. Fastest Lap (1 mile 1,380 yards)—(1) Morane, 56-64m.p.h. Slow Speed—(1) Rolls (Wright), 25-33 m.p.h. Altitude—(1) Morane, 4,107 ft. ; (2) Drexel, 2,490 ft. ; (3) Grahame-White, 1,660 ft.; (4) Dickson, 1,340 ft. Distance—(1) Grahame-White, 90 miles 1,740 yds. (2 hrs. 34 mins 56i sees. ; 35-2 m.p.h.) ; (2) Christiaens, 83 miles 1,500 yds. (2 hrs. 20 mins. 52i sees. ; 35-6 m.p.h.) ; (3) Andemars/ 17 miles 1,480 yds. "(27 mins. 17i sees.; 39-3 m.p.h.): (4) Dickson, 12 "miles 860 yds. (21 mins. 52| sees. : 33-8 m.p.h.). Weight-carrying (1 lap)—(1) Dickson (load, 407-5 lbs.), 3 mins. 23 sees. ; (2) Grahame-White (load, 425 lbs.), 3 mins. 23i sees. ; (3) Morane (load, 412 lbs.), 2 mins. 37|secs. Starting—(1) Dickson, 35 yds. 7 ins. ; (2) Morane, 35 yds. 8 ins. ; (3) Grahame-White, 37 yds. 9A ins. ; (4) Boyle, 42 yds. 1 ft. 10 ins. Alighting—(1) Grahame-White, 2 yds. 1 ft. ; (2) Chris-tiaens, 9 yds. 2 ft. 3 ins. ; (3) Rolls, 26 yds. 10 ins. ; (4) Dick- son, 27 yds. 2 ft. 1 in. Sea Flight (21 miles)—(1) Morane, 25 mins. 12f sees. ; 50 m.p.h.; (2) Drexel, 35 mins. 28 sees.; 35-5-m.p.h. : (3) Grahame-White, 45 mins. 47 sees.; 27-44 m.p.h. O O o o o o o o p o 6 o o o o o O O O~O O O O [" FLICHT " Photographs Bournemouth —1910 : A few of the Pioneers. From left to right, Claude Grahame- White, Capt. Dickson, J. Armstrong Drexel, W. H. McArdle and Leon Morane. OOOOOOOOIO 220
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