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Aviation History
1969
1969 - 3268.PDF
The Morane-Saulnier monoplane flown by Lt Warneford — see letter in column two from Mr Leslie Hunt LETTERS... of superb performers each with their own particular character in presentation, ranging from the rumbustious country-fair style immortalised by the late Bill Adams in his 450 h.p. Stearman to the disciplined precision of the Russians and Czechs in the Lockheed competition. Certainly it is clearly apparent that the present stan dards overseas are becoming very high indeed, and that precision flight is yet another aspect of UK aviation deserving of every real support and encouragement. Welwyn Garden City, H. BEST-DEVEREUX Herts SIR,—Sqn Ldr A. H. Curtis' reminiscences (Letters, October 30) of Lt de Burgh's Avro 504K gliderbatics had their counterpart for myself on more than one occasion in World War Two. In 1940-41 a Tiger Moth would loop, roll, spiral and rumble straight into the open hangar at Stapleford, to the amazement of us local lads. Subsequent observations lead me to believe that the pilot on these inspiring occasions was one Neville Brown ing—still happily with us, and not without the master pilot's touch. And who was it who used to loop the D. H. Hornet with both feathered? Hemel Hempstead, R G. MOULTON, Herts Editor, "Aero Modeller" Neglected Pioneer SIR,—I was extremely interested to read Mr Austin's letter in your issue of October 2, and was particularly intrigued by his reference to the work of Jack Humphreys. Humphreys was one of those who never "hit the headlines" of aeronautical history, but a number of years ago I conducted some research into his activities. At the time I lived close to the site of the works of his little company—the British Aeroplane Syndicate Ltd—at Wivenhoe in Essex, and I was able to meet several people who had known and worked with J. E. Humphreys. I later had the pleasure of meeting Humphreys himself, a dental surgeon by profession. His aeronautical work progressed from bird-flight experiments, through full-size gliding tests at Fowey, to the building of "the Wivenhoe Flyer," his first powered venture and the first flying-boat/amphibian in this country, if not in the world. It was launched on the River Colne in April 1909, but its trials were disap pointing. It was followed very quickly by the first of Humphreys' tractor monoplanes and then the machine Mr Austin has in mind, which was completed at Wivenhoe early in 1910 and which was moved from there to Brooklands. I have acquired some parts of the hull of the flying-boat and some of the wing structure and metal propeller of the 1909 monoplane. The wing structure is interesting in its sophisticated concept, with I-section spindled spars and built-up Warren-girder ribs of advanced form, constructed of lancewood. The events to which Mr Austin refers took place in 1911 at Brooklands, not 1909 as seems to be implied. The aircraft concerned was the second monoplane, its predecessor having been crashed by Humphreys during 814 FLIGHT International, 20 November 1969 an abortive attempt in October 1909 at Wivenhoe to win .the Daily Mail prize for the first one-mile circuit. This monoplane, which Gordon Bell flew, was quite different in appearance and was not a rebuild of the first. It was, as Mr Austin says, a relatively large machine, powered by a 60 h.p. Green engine and owing much to the contemporary Antoinette. It certainly came off the ground on half-throttle, but the rapid climb was in fact a near-stall, resulting from the e.g. being too far back. One, and then two passengers were carried and, in an endeavour to bring the e.g. further forward, they were seated on the leading edge of the wing adjacent to the engine! One of Humphreys' mechanics, Mr Hammond, was an eye-witness and has assured me that this story is absolutely true. My searches at the time brought to light no original drawings, but if anyone is seriously considering building a replica of the 1910-11 monoplane, I shall be happy to provide a photograph and such information as I have available. 14 Glynswood, Chinnor, M. p. SAYER Oxford OX9 4JE Missing 1915 Relic SIR,—Mr Edwin Sapcote of Birmingham has kindly loaned a postcard of Lt Warneford's Morane, in which he destroyed the LZ.37 airship, to gain the first RNAS VC on June 7, 1915. This picture was taken somewhere in the London area after World War One and many of us would like to know the fate of this historic machine— and who gave the authority for that fate. If he survived World War Two it may explain the absence of a Battle, Hampden, Whitley, Halifax, Stirling, Blenheim, etc, from the RAF Museum! Can any reader say what happened to the Morane—and when and where? Leigh-on-Sea, Essex LESLIE HUNT Crew Slip SIR,—Referring to "Straight and Level" in your October 23 issue, am I not right in saying that the Pan American/ Delta crew change is in Washington and not in New York as mentioned? Godalming, Surrey A. H. SMITH-VAUGHN [Washington it is—Ed] IN BRIEF In connection with a series of historical articles, Mr D. N. Tattersall (15 Eastwood Avenue, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5LD) would like to contact Fairey Flycatcher pilots and ground staff, and design and production personnel of the former Fairey Aviation Co at Hayes, Middx. DIARY Nov 20 Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers (Kent Section): "Concorde Automatic Flight Control and Landing Systems," by D. M. Fryer; 7 p.m., Medway College of Technology, Maidstone Road, Chatham. Nov 20 RAeS: All-day symposium, "Altitude Testing of Turbojet Engines," 4 Hamilton Place, London Wl. Nov 25 SLAET (Oxford Area Group): "Concorde Flight Test Programme," by E. B. Trubshaw; 7.30 p.m., Examination Hall, Oxford Airport. Nov 25 British Air Line Pilots' Association: Symposium, "Challenge of the 70s—Air Transport's Growth with Regularity and Safety;" Royal Garden Hotel, London W8. Nov 25 Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers (Thames Valley . Section): "Automatic Test Equipment," by O. H. Davie; 7.30 p.m., J. J. Thomson Physical Laboratory, University of Reading, White- knights Park. Nov 26 RAeS Southampton Branch: "XB-70 and Concorde," by T. Frost; 8 p.m., College of Air Training, Hamble. Nov 26 RAeS Rotorcraft Section: All-day symposium: "Test Facilities for Helicopters;" 9.30 a.m., 4 Hamilton Place, London Wl. Nov 26 Kronfeld Club: Annual General Meeting; 74 Eccleston Square, London SWI. Nov 27 Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers (Yorkshire Sec tion): "Lasers," by Prof O. S. Heavens; 7 p.m., Huddersfield College of Technology, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Nov 27 RAeS Test Pilots' Group: "Concorde," by E. B. Trubshaw; 7 p.m., 4 Hamilton Place, London Wl.
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