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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0715.PDF
SEPTEMBEU 22 1927 THE SCHNEIDER TROPHY RACE Venire, September 11, 1927. The preparations in all direc-tions for the Schneider Trophy Seaplane contest on September 25, have now reached what may be regarded asthe "hectic " stage, and the various committees, the teams, and, in fact, all connected with the event are having a verybusy time. The English team, and, in fact, the whole British " cam]),"are now established at the Lido Excelsior Palace, and at San Andrea, the Venetian Air Port, where the hangars aresituated. Squadron-l.dr. L. H. Slatter and Flight-Lt. O. E. Worsley were the first to arrive, and reached Venice on August 30, the day before the first consignment of machines reached San Andrea on S.S. Eworth. The consignment consisted of three seaplanes, the Gloster-Napier 4A, the Supermarine- Napier N222, and the Short-Bristol " Crusader," in large ¥.10. H. M. Schofield, all of whom are staying at the " Excelsior Palace." Yesterday, the 10th inst., the first practice flights took place over the actual course, the weather being ideal, and a good morning's work was therefore put in. At 9.30 a.m. the Supermarine-Napier " S5 " N222, was towed from the hangar slipways by motor-launch out into the wide entrance to the port of San Andrea, being followed shortly afterward by the Gloster-Napier IV. 4A. As soon as a satisfactory " take-off " had been reached, Sq.-Ldr. Slatter climbed into the cockpit of the " S5," and the engine was started. Then, without any preliminary warm-up," he turned the machine towards the open sea, and opened the throttle for flight. The tremendous power behind the Napier engine was immediately apparent, and the acceleration of the machine was truly wonderful. Another AVANTI SAVOIA ! An impression of Italy's Schneider Trophy defender, the Machine M-52 monoplane, which in general appearance is similar to the M-39, last year's winner. wooden crates, and the work of unloading was proceeded with in a very efficient manner, and without hitch. It should be stated that this was due. in a large degree, to the extremely courteous and thoughtful manner in which the Italian autho- rities received the English contingent. Every possible care had l>een taken to ensure that they received the utmost facilities in their work, and lighters "were at hand as soon as the Eworth clocked. The hangars provided for the Knglish machines are ideal in every respect, and Sq.-Ldr. Slatter has expressed his complete satisfaction of all the arrangements that had l>een made. It was hoped, of course, to be able to commence practice over the course within a few days of arrival, but unfortunately a spell of somewhat, squally weather appeared, with a resultant choppy sea, and the pilots were obliged to wait patiently for a full week before being able to take the racing machines into the air. Meantime, the rest of the team arrived, consisting of Flight- Lieuts. S. M. Kinkead, S. N. Webster, O. E. Worsley, noteworthy point was the absence of excessive spray, a point which, by the way, also applies to the Gloster-Napier biplane. The design of the hydroplane floats shows a big advance, and evidences the enormous amount of research work in this direction, which the designers have carried out. Sq.-I.dr. Slatter took the S5 over the full course, after executing a series of turns over San Andrea, but it was appa- rent that she was not exhibiting her fidl turn of speed. The Gloster-Napier IV 4A took the air shortly after S5 N222, piloted by Flight-Lieut. S. M. Kinkhea'd, and appeared decidedly faster, both during the take-off and in flight. He headed the machine straight for the Lido, and gave the bathers along its famous beaches quite a definite idea of the capabilities of the modern racing seaplane. It is not yet decided which will be the three pilots to fly in the actuai race, and it is understood that this matter is one for the decision of the committee of the Royal Aero Club. It is not even known which of the six British machines will compete, and each type will not necessarily be represented in 661
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