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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 1313.PDF
FLIGHT, DECEMBER 18, 1931 Private Flying and Club flews INTERESTING Lecture at Hanworth.—OnSunday evening, December 13, Mrs. Victor Bruce held last the attention of a large audiencefor some two hours while she lectured on the wonderful flight she made, not long ago, completely encircling theglobe (with the exception of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans) in her " Bluebird." Mrs. Victor Bruce is one ofthe most fluent lecturers imaginable, and, in fact, so fluent is she that it is difficult to discern a difference whenshe is lecturing or when she is merely talking to one or two people in her usual way. The lecture was illustrated witha large number of extremely interesting lantern slides and also two cinematograph films taken during Mrs. Bruce'sflight over and her landing at Japan, the lantern being operated by her husband, the Hon. Victor Bruce. Evennow her flight has never had adequate recognition by the Press, for it stands out as one of the most stupendousexhibitions of determination shown by any pilot, man or female, in recent years. Mrs. Bruce tells her story in an admirable manner inher recently published book " The Bluebird's Flight,"* which, by the way, would make an excellent Christmaspresent for anyone, young or old ; but for some obscure reason this, though by far the most meritorious of all theexploits of this rather amazing woman, had hardly any publicity worthy of the name. Col. the Master of Sempill presided at the lecture, and atthe conclusion asked the assembly to show to Mrs. Bruce their appreciation in the usual way. His request washardly needed, for before he had time to sit down their enthusiasm was already audible half-way across the aero-drome. A LIGHT FLYING BOAT FOR AEROPLANE CLUBS.^"^ —In an interview with our Irish correspondent, Capt. J. P. Saul, navigator to Kingsford Smith on last year'strans-Atlantic flight, has given details of a new flying-boat designed by Col. J. C. Fitzmaurice, another Irish Atlanticflyer, whom he met while on a recent trip to the United States. The flying-boat, which is shown in the accompanyingillustration, is designed as a two-seater for use by flying clubs, and Col. Fitzmaurice has endeavoured, as far aspossible, to build the machine of component parts which can be easily and cheaply obtained. It is of the monoplanetype with a somewhat-high aspect ratio, stability on the water being maintained by the use of stub planes. Twinwater-cooled engines of 45 h.p., designed by Mr. William Harbur, who is noted in America for the design of lightinternal combustion engines, are fitted, and these are faired into the leading edge of the wing. The hull, streamlinedfore and aft, provides accommodation for pilot and • Obtainable from "FLIGHT" Office pricei21s. 9d. post free. passenger in open cockpits. The flying boat is designedlor a cruising speed of from 90 to 95 m.p.h., and the estimated cost of production is £250. It is understood that the machine had not undergone hertrials at Port Washington, U.S.A., where she has been built, at the time of Capt. Saul's departure for home, butas Col. Fitzmaurice is expected to visit Europe in the near future to complete details for a second Atlantic flight andtrade tour in a Sikorsky S.38 with Capt. Saul, we shall probably have full details of the performance of thisinteresting little machine before long. DROOKLANDS WEEKLY NOTES.—The total flying*-* hours for the week ending December 12 have amounted to 25, which include one first solo by Mr. K.Richards. Mr. Hugh Sparks qualified for his " A " licence and Mr. A. Franklyn accomplished his night flying fromCroydon to Penshurst for his " B " licence tests. Probably for the first time in the history of civil aviationan aeroplane has been stolen from an aerodrome by a man who has never flown solo. He landed safely atTidworth about 70 miles from Brooklands. The culprit had, a matter of two years ago, worked forthis School as a ground engineer, in return for which he was given half-an-hour a week instruction in flying. Inall, he received about five hours' flying instruction. He left the School and joined the Army as a trooper, and, asfar as we know, has not flown for nearly two years. On Friday he was seen on the aerodrome during theluncheon hour. No notice was taken of him, as he often came here whilst on leave from his Regiment. On thereturn of the staff after lunch the Aero Club machine was missing, nothing being heard until a 'phone message fromthe culprit to the effect that he had landed safely at Tidworth was received, saying he had forced landed owingto lack of petrol, and could some be sent him! C LYING AT BRISTOL.—Wessex Airways, that live* little publication which is the official journal of the Bristol and Wessex Aeroplane Club, have a very soundleader this week, in which they endorse the finding of the Leicester Chamber of Commerce that the establishment ofa light aeroplane club was essential to the success of the municipal airport. This has long been the view ofNational Flying Services, who have invariably established a club at any of the municipal airports with which theyhave had to deal. Bristol, of course, is in the same posi- tion, and find that the club not only entices flying peopleto come to the aerodrome, but also by means of recrea- tions such as squash rackets and tennis upon social func-tions induces many other visitors to take an interest in the airport than would otherwise do so. This is a form ofpropaganda which undoubtedly creates a demand, not only for club instruction, but also for air taxy work, therefore THE LATEST IN FLYING BOATS: An interesting twin-engined flying-boat designed by Col. J. C. Fitzmaurice —the Irish Atlantic flyer—referred to on this page by our Irish correspondent. 1235 B 2
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