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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 2175.PDF
192 FUCHT International, 30 July 196' Tryggve Gran's B/er/ot (letter below from Mr C. R. Elliott) LETTERS ... First Flight across the North Sea SIR,—On January 16, 1964, you published a letter from the Royal Aeronautical Society's librarian, Mr Frank Smith, about the first flight across the North Sea, which was made by pilot Tryggve Gran, a Norwegian, from Aberdeenshire to Norway on July 30, 1914—50 years ago this month. Photographs of Gran and his machine are, I think, almost non-existent over here and the enclosed photograph [repro- duced herewith—Ed] of Gran's Bleriot, as it is preserved today in Oslo, may therefore be of interest to readers. The photograph was kindly provided by the Department of Aeronautics, Norsk Teknisk Museum. Wimbledon, SW19 CHRISTOPHER R. ELLIOTT UFO—1 SIR,—I was sitting in the park with some of my school friends on July 8 when one of them pointed out a minute circle, almost a pin-point of light. I did not see it immediately but this was because it was at such a height that it was difficult for one's eyes to focus on it. When first observed it was high in the east at an elevation of 45-50°. There was little cloud in the sky and it could be clearly seen moving in a WSW direction at unusually high speed. I say high speed but I could not judge its height ac- curately because of its lack of shape. An aircraft, even with the full light of the Sun upon it, has a definite shape, but the object was star-like, which led me to believe that it was a satellite. This idea was quickly dismissed when the object suddenly slowed speed and stopped. After what must have been half-a-minute to a minute, it started off in a new direction towards the SW. A small detached piece of cumulus finally obscured it and although it could be seen through the wisps it did not emerge from behind the cloud. When the UFO disappeared at 3.39 p.m. BST, it was at an elevation of 70°. The total time it was under observation was about 4-5min. The observation position was Rosedale Park, Hayes, Middlesex, at latitude 51° 30.3' N, longitude 0° 25.05' W. I would be interested to hear if anyone else has made a record of it. 30 Mansfield Drive, w. A. MADGE Hayes, Mddx UFO—2 SIR,—At approximately 10.40 p.m. on Friday, July 10, my wife and two friends were driving towards my home when they saw two lights extremely bright and seemingly close together suspended in the sky in a southerly direction. Both lights were stationary—this was checked by slowing the car to almost a standstill—and one of the lights appeared to have a green glow coming from it. Then suddenly both lights merged into one. At this point the car arrived at our house and I was called to come out. One of my friends said "Don't bother, it's only a star," but as I am an air enthusiast I was curious to see what it was. When we went into the back garden the light was moving at a speed I cannot estimate, but it could certainly not have been less than 300 m.p.h. I focused my binoculars on the object but was surprised to find that it did not make much difference (the lenses are 25 X 52). We all watched its progress until finally trees and houses hindered any further observation. At this point it was heading in approximately a north-westerly direction, its flight seeming very smooth and controlled. Immediately afterwards I rang the MoD(Air) and reported what we had seen; they told me that nobody else had reported anything unusual at that time. Now this is my point: surely if it had been a jet aircraft we would have heard some noise from the engines, that is supposing it was a P. 1127 with a lighthouse suspended from underneath! Artificial satellites cannot stand stock still and then move at will. The point of writing is that I wondered if any other reader had seen this strange light. If any did, and they know what it was, could they kindly get in touch with me and perhaps this guessing game will then end once and for all? As an afterthought I must add that there wasn't a single star to be seen in the sky, but there were some patches of low cloud. Surely the radar at London Airport must have spotted and tracked this object, or objects. Maybe someone there could help me in my enquiries. 64 Eastbrook Road, REGINALD SMITH Blackheath, London SE3 Last Word on the "Mono" SIR,—Your correspondent Sqn Ldr S. Williams is sadly in error in writing about the Gnome Monosoupape engine used with the Avro 504K (Letters, June 25). He contends that this engine had automatic inlet valves, whereas it had no inlet valves at all but only exhaust valves. Hence its designation monosoupape ("single valve"). The most ingenious working principle of this power unit embodied an arrangement of inlet ports at the lower part of the cylinder bores through which an ultra-rich mixture passed when the pistons reached the bottom of the stroke. Combined with this was a valve timing which resulted in the exhaust valve remaining open for a brief period after the spent gases had been expelled so that fresh air was drawn in when the pistons descended. This made the mixture right for the firing stroke. The intake of air arising immediately after the expulsion of the spent gases was the reason why the old "Mono" emitted that wonderful organ note sound which pilots like myself remember so well. London SW1 GRENVILLE MANTON Touring Flea Circus SIR,—Your readers may be interested to learn that two Air- Britain members, namely Mr David Collyer and myself, have just acquired a Henri Mignet HM.14 Pou du Ciel. The aircraft has been in store since 1936, but only a little work is needed to restore it to display condition. It is our aim to make a display trailer for the Flying Flea, and to display this in aid of funds to build a Church Hall at Horton Kirby, the village from where it was acquired. The aircraft was built half by Mr Walter Millon, of Horton Kirby, and half by Abbott Baynes Aircraft. The engine is a 25 h.p. Scott Squirrel, which is in perfect working order. The aircraft' was exhibited at Rochester recently. It caused considerable interest but no response to our appeal, which is a little disappointing after all the work my friends and myself had spent over the weekend to present the Flying Flea. Maidstone, Kent RALPH R. MITCHELL FORTHCOMING EVENTS July 30- Federation Aeronautique Internationale: World para- Aug 17 chuting championships, Leutkirchj'Allgau. Aug 1 Naval air day, RNAS Brawdy. Aug 1 King's Cup Air Race, Coventry. Aug 3 Tiger Club: Flying display, Fair Oaks. Aug 5 Kronfeld Club: Film, "The Crescent Wing." Aog 8-9 Centre Alsace Aero Club: 8th international Alsace Wine rally, Colmar.
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