2. LA BELGIQUE III

Note.--_La Belgique I_ was built in 1909 and re-built 1910. Private. VILLE DE BRUXELLES 6,000 m cubed. LA BELGIQUE II. (No. 1 rebuilt.) Military. [Illustration] ~Length,~ 226 feet (64.8 m.) ~maximum diameter,~ 35 feet (10.75 m.) ~capacity,~ 141,300 cubic feet (4,000 m cubed.) ~total lift,~ 9,921 lbs. (4,500 kgs.) ~Gas bag.~--Rubber proofed Continental fabric. Ballonet, filled by a separate motor giving 7.5 inches of water pressure. Warm air can be pumped in if required. Ballonet, 28,250 c. feet (800 m cubed.) ~Motors.~--2, each of 60 h.p., Vivinus, 4-cylinder, 112x130. ~Propellers.~--1 in front of the car. 285 revolutions per minute. Wood construction. ~Speed.~--25 miles per hour. 40 km. per hour. ~Planes.~--Horizontal: a gas tube bent horizontally round the tail. Vertical: vertical fins on the tail, and a long vertical keel under the gas bag. ~Car.~--A girder, square in section, tapered at both ends. Built of tubular steel. Length, 82 feet (25 m.) ~Miscellaneous.~--Built by L. Godard, France, 1909. Crew, 3 men. Accommodation for 1 passenger. Fuel for 10 hours. Greatest height attainable, 3,280 feet (1,000 m.) ~Table of weights.~-- Gas bag, complete with ballonet, valves, planes, lbs. kgs. suspension, etc 1,951 885 Propellers (2) 275-1/2 125 Blower 33 15 3 h.p. motor for blower 33 15 Motors (2) complete with gearing and shafting 1,410 640 Car 992 450 Fuel for 10 hours 738-1/2 335 Ballast 826-3/4 375 1 passenger (or ballast) 154 70 Crew (3) 463 210 Guide ropes, etc 220 100 Miscellaneous 88 40 ----- ----- _About_ 7,165 3,250 Remarks.--Reconstructed in the winter of 1909. There are two noteworthy innovations in connection with the ballonet. (1) The ballonet can be warmed by the motor. (2) In case of real emergency air can be pumped direct into the gas bag. Experiments of the utmost importance to all airships are in progress with a view to ridding the gas of this air cheaply and quickly. LA BELGIQUE III. Military. Presented 1910 to the Belgian Government by H.M. the King of the Belgians. 4,500 m cubed. Practically same as II, but has 3 propellers. ~Motors.~--Two 100 h.p. Germain. VILLE DE BRUXELLES. (Formerly known as LA FLANDRE.) (Astra type.) [Illustration] ~Maximum length,~ 256 feet (78 m.) ~maximum diameter,~ 41 feet (12.4 m.) ~volume,~ 212,000 c. feet (6,000 m cubed.) ~Total lift.~--15,763 lbs. (7,150 kgs.) ~Useful lift,~ lbs. ( kgs.) ~Gas bags.~--Continental rubbered fabric, yellow. Ballonet, 16,146 c. feet (1,500 m cubed.) ~Motors.~--2 Pipe motors of 100 h.p. each, placed in line with each other in the fore and aft line, and with clutches and the necessary gearing in between them. ~Speed.~--35 m.p.h. ~Propellers.~--3, namely: one at the fore end, driven by the two motors when coupled together, and two placed above and on either side of the centre of the car, for use when only one motor is running. Chauviere propellers. ~Steering.~--Vertical steering by means of a large double aeroplane fixed above the car, about a third from the front. Horizontal steering by means of a double vertical rudder above the rear end of the car. Stability is secured by the usual Astra pear shaped stabilising gas bags, with fins of rubbered cloth spread between the inner edges of these shapes. Remarks.--The distinctive feature of this ship is the arrangement of the propellers. Both motors can be coupled either on to the front propeller or on to the two rear propellers, or on to all three together, but they are actually intended only to drive the front one. On stopping either motor the other is connected to the two rear propellers, which are designed for a slower speed of translation than the front one, with the result that the running motor does not find itself overloaded as it would if the same propeller had to serve both for one and for two motors. BRAZILIAN. ~AVIATORS.~ Garos, Queiroz, Robert, Henri, Santos-Dumont, Versepuiz. There are possibly one to two aeroplanes in Brazil, but the well-known aviators live in France. Little or nothing seems doing in Brazil as yet. BRITISH. ~Aerial Societies:~-- Royal Aero Club. Aerial League. Aeronautical Society. (Premier Society, founded 1866.) Brooklands Aero Club. There were once a great many local aero clubs, but the majority of these have ceased to exist and with one or two possible exceptions all the rest are moribund. ~Aerial Journals, etc.:~-- _Aeronautical Journal._ Quarterly. 53, Victoria St., London, S.W. _Aeronautics._ 3d. monthly. 27, Chancery Lane, London, W.C. _The Aero._ 6d. monthly. 20, Tudor St., London, E.C. _Flight._ 3d. every Saturday. 44, St. Martins Lane, London, W.C. (Official organ of the R. Ae. C.) _The Aeroplane._ 1d. weekly, 166, Piccadilly, London. _All the World's Aircraft._ 21/-. Annual. 100, Southwark Street, London, S.E. and 5, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C. In addition, the _Car Illustrated_ and the _Motor_ devote considerable space to aerial matters. ~Principal Flying Grounds:~-- ~Aldershot.~--Army school. ~Brighton,~ Shoreham Aerodrome. Aero school. ~Brooklands.~--Bristol school. ~Camber Sands,~ Rye, Sussex.--At low tide moderately hard sand and soft places. Area two miles by one mile. ~Dagenham~ (Aeronautical Society). ~Dartford Marsh.~--Vickers school. ~Dunstall Park,~ Wolverhampton. ~Eastbourne.~ Aerodrome School. ~Eastchurch,~ Sheppey.--(R. Ae. C.) 350 acres. Sheds. Members only. R. Naval school. ~Filey.~--Blackburn school. ~Hendon.~--Grahame-White, Blackburn, Bleriot, Deperdussin, Temple and Ewen schools. ~Lanark.~--Deperdussin school. ~Liverpool~ (Melly school). ~Llandudno & North Wales.~--Aerodrome. ~Mapplin Sands,~ Essex.--(Foulness). Very hard sand at low tide. Area ten miles by four miles. Property of War Office. Flying forbidden in winter. ~Salisbury Plain.~--Bristol school. Vast space available. Plenty of fairly smooth ground. Army school. ~Shoreham.~--(See Brighton). ~Upavon.~ Central flying school (R. Flying Corps.) ~BRITISH MILITARY AVIATION.~ ~Royal Flying Corps.~ In 1912 the Royal Flying Corps was instituted. It consists of two wings, navy and army, with a central flying school at Upavon, Salisbury Plain. The staff is as follows:-- _Commandant_: Paine, Capt. G.M., M.V.O., R.N. _Secretary_: Lidderdale, Asst. Paymaster J.H., R.N. _Medical Officer_: Lithgow, Capt. E.G.R., R.A.M.C. _Quarter-Master_: Kirby, Hon. Lieut. (Qr.-Mr.), V.C. _Instructor in Theory and Construction_: Cook, Lieut.-Col. H. R., R.A. _Instructor in Meteorology_: Dobson, G., Esq. _Instructors in Flying_: Fulton, Capt. J. D. B., R.A. Gerrard, Capt. E. L., R.M. Shepherd, Lieut. P. A., R.N. Trenchard, Mt. Maj. H. M., D.S.O., R. Sc. Fus. Salmond, Capt. J. M., R. Lanc. R. _Inspector of Engines:_ Randall, Eng.-Lieut. C. R. J., R.N. ~Royal Aircraft Factory.~ This is situated at Farnborough. Mervyn O'Gorman is superintendent. There are large sheds. Some _B E_ biplanes have been built here, but the principal object of the factory is understood to be repairs and maintenance. ~Naval Wing Royal Flying Corps, Aeroplane Section.~ There is a special Air Department at the Admiralty with Captain M. F. Sueter, as Director, Commander O. Schwann and Lieut. C. L'Estrange-Malone, as Assistants, Eng. Lieut. G. W. S. Aldwell, as Eng. Inspector. Officers are graded Flying Officers, then Flight Commanders, thence to Squadron Commanders. The flying school is at Eastchurch, Sheppey. Commander Sampson, S.C., in command. There are at present four air stations: (1) Isle of Grain, (2) Calshot, (3) Harwich, (4) Yarmouth. At the end of March, 1913, the total number of aeroplanes including those on order, school machines, etc., was about 32; of which about 16 were effective for war purposes or available at short notice. These machines were as follows:-- 7 monoplanes (= 1 Bleriot, 2 Deperdussin, 1 Etrich, 1 Nieuport, 2 Short). 15 biplanes (= 1 Avro, 2 Bristol, 1 Breguet, 1 Caudron, 2 H. Farman, 1 M. Farman, 5 Short, 2 Sopwith). 10 hydro-avions (= 1 Astra, 1 Avro, 2 Borel, 1 Donnet-Leveque, 1 H. Farman, 1 M. Farman, 3 Short). The _personnel_ is as follows (number after names is the R. Ae. C. brevet number):-- ~Squadron Commanders.~ Gerrard, Capt. F. L., R. M. (76) Gordon, Capt., R. M. (161) Gregory, Lieut. (75) L'Estrange-Malone, Lieut. C. (195) Longmore, Lieut. Sampson, Com. C. R. (71) Shepherd, Lieut. P. A. (215) ~Flight Commanders.~ Courtney, Lieut. I. T. (R. M.) Grey, Lieut. Spencer (117) Risk, Capt. C. E., R. M. (303) Seddon, Lieut. J. W. (296) ~Flying Officers.~ Those marked * are under instruction, not yet graded. *Agar, Lieut. A.W.S. Babington, Lieut. J.T. (408) Bigsworth, Lieut. A.W. (390) *Bobbett, Boatswain H.C. (334) Bowhill, Lieut. F.W. (397) *Brodribb, Lieut. F.G. (481) Courtney, Lieut. I.T., R.M. Courtney, Lieut. C.L. (328) *Davies, Lieut. R.B. (90) *Edmonds, Lieut. G.H.K. *Fawcett, Capt. H., R.M. *Gaskell, Lieut. A.B. *Hathorn, Lieut. G.H.V., R.M. Hewlett, Sub. Lieut., F.E.J. Kennedy, Lieut. J.B. *Maude, Lieut. C.E. *Noyes, Asst. Paymaster, C.R.F. Oliver, Lieut. E.A. (425) *Parker, Asst. Paymaster E.B. (415) Rathbone, Lieut., C.E., R.M. Ross, Lieut. R.P. (422) *Sitwell, Lieut. W.G. Travers, Lieut. J.L. Vernon, Lieut. H.D. (404) Wildman-Lushington, Lt. G.V., R.M.A. The following R.N. officers and men are aviators employed in various duties at the Admiralty, at the Central Flying School or at Eastchurch:-- Aldwell, Eng. Lieut. G.W.S. Andrews, J.C. (372) Ashton, Ldg. Seaman Batemad, Able Seaman P.E. (446) Briggs, Eng. Lieut. E.F. Brownridge, Carp. Collins, Art. Eng. J.V. Cresswell, Lieut. T.S., R.M. (420) Deakin, A. (333) Gerrard, Capt., R.M. (76) L'Estrange-Malone, Lieut. C. (195) Lidderdale, Asst. Paymaster H.J. (402) O'Connor, Art. Eng. T. (280) Paine, Capt. G.M. (217) Randall, Eng. Lieut. (81) Schwann, Com. O. (203) Scarff, Art. Eng. F.W. Shaw, Shipwright D. (465) Shepherd, Lieut. P. (288) Susans, F. (380) Wells, Staff. Surg. H.V. The following have privately secured pilot certificates in the years mentioned but are not employed in the R.F.C. for aeroplane work. Some of them, however (D), are employed in the airship section:-- ~1911.~ Bower, Lieut. J.A. (161) Clark-Hall, Lieut. (127) Leveson-Gower, Com. Williamson, Lieut. (150) Williamson, Lieut. H.A. (160) ~Naval. 1912.~ Blatherwick, Lieut. G. (450) Brown, Com. A M.T. (345) Edwards, Lieut. C.H.H. D Freeman Williams, Lt. F.A.P.(202) Head, Lieut, G.G.W. (191) Hooper, Sub. Lt. C.W.W. (382) Johnson, Capt. C.D. D Masterman, Com. E.A.D. (Ae.C.F.) Prickett, Lieut. C.B. (381) Trewin, Asst. Paymaster (294) D Usborne, Lieut. N.F. (449) Wheeler, Mid. N.F. (370) ~Naval. 1913.~ D Boothby, Lieut. F.L.M. (Ae.C.F.) Brady, B.J.W. (394) Brown, Lieut. A.C.G. (398) Dobie, Lieut. W.F.R. (448) Fitzmaurice, Lieut. R. (447) Freeman, S.T. (393) Littleton, Sub. Lieut. H.A. (405) Picton-Warlow, Lieut. W. (451) Ross, Lieut. R.P. (422) ~Army Wing Royal Flying Corps, Aeroplane Section.~ The Army wing has its headquarters at S. Farnborough, its constitution being as follows:-- 1st squadron (airships or kites) see Dirigible Section. 2nd " (aeroplanes) base at Montrose. 3rd " " " " Salisbury Plain. 4th " " " " S. Farnborough. (Four more aeroplane squadrons _pro._) An aeroplane squadron nominally consists of 18 aeroplanes (9 in service, 9 remounts). At the end of March, 1913, the total number of aeroplanes, including those on order, school machines, etc., was about 110, of which about 50 (including some monoplanes not in use) were effective for war purposes or available at short notice. The total of 110 was thus made up:-- 22 monoplanes (= 2 Bleriot, 4 Bristol, 5 Deperdussin, 4 Howard-Flanders, 1 Martinsyde, 6 Nieuport). 86 biplanes (= 4 Avro, 22 B.E. type,[A] various makers), 2 Breguet, 2 Caudrons, 30 Farman (various types), 6 Short--and about 20 Avro or Farman or Short not delivered. ~Squadron Commanders.~ Brooke-Popham, Capt. H.R.M. (108) Burke, Capt, C.J. (46) (Ae.C.F. 260) Carden, Lt. A. D. (239) Cook, Lt.-Col. H. R. (42) Fulton, Major J. D. B. (27) Raleigh, Capt. G. H. (196) Trenchard, Major H. M. (270) ~Flight Commanders.~ Allen, Capt. C. R. W. (159) Beor, Lt. B. R. W. (R.A.) (185) Becke, Capt. J. H. W. (236) Connor, Lt. D. G. (54) Fox, Lt. A. G. (176) Higgins, Major J. F. A. (R.A.) (264) Longcroft, Lt. C. A. H. (192) Reynolds, Lt. H. R. P. (R.E.) Salmond, Capt. J. M. Webb-Bowen, Capt. T. I. (242) ~Flying Officers.~ Abercromby, 2nd Lt. R. O. (134) Allen, Lt. D. L. (318) Anderson, Lt. E. V. (247) Atkinson, Lt. K. P. (267) Barrington-Kennett, Lt. B. H. (Adjutant) (43) Beatty, Capt. W. D. (89) *Birch, Lt. W. C. K. (375) Board, Capt. A. G. S. (36) Boyle, Lt. the Hon. D. G. Burchardt-Ashton, Lt. A. E. Burroughs, Lt. J. E. G. Carmichael, Lt. G. I. (316) *Chinnery, Lt. E. F. (211) Cholmondeley, Lt. R. (271) *Christie, Lt. A. (R.A.) (245) Conran, Lt. E. L. (342) *Corbalis, Lt. E. R. L. Darbyshire, Capt. C. (257) Dawes, Lt. L. (228) Dawes, Capt. G. W. P. (17) *Gill, Lt. N. J. (174) Glanville, Lt. H. F. (307) Gould, 2nd Lt. C. G. S. (282) Harvey, Lt. E. G. *Harvey-Kelley, Lt. H. D. Herbert, Capt. P. L. W. (244) Holt, Lt. A. V. (312) Hubbard, 2nd Lt. T. O. B. (202) Hynes, Lt. G. B. (R.A.) (40) James, Lt. B. T. Joubert, de la F. Lt. P. B. (280) Lawrence, Lt. W. MacDonnell, Capt. H. C. (273) MacClean, Lt. A. C. H. *Mapplebeck, Lt. G. W. C. (386) Martyn, Lt. R. B. Mead, Sergt. J. (475) Mellor, Capt. C. (155) *Mills, Lt. R. P. (377) Moss, Bt.-Major L. B. (241) *Musgrave, Capt. H. (R.E.) *Mulcahy-Morgan, Lt. T. W. *Noel, Lt. M. W. (416) Pepper, Lt. J. W. (98) *Picton-Warlow, Lt. W. (451) Playfair, 2nd Lt. P. H. L. (283) *Pretyman, Lt. G. F. (341) Porter, Lt. G. T. (R.A.) (169) Pryce, Hon. Lt. W. J. D. (Qr.-mr.) *Read, Lt. A. M. (336) *Rodwell, Lt. R. M. Roupell, 2nd Lt N. S. (237) Shepherd, Capt. G. S. (215) Soames, Lt. A. H. L. Small, Lt. F. G. D. (429) *Small, Lt. R. G. (343) Smith-Barry, 2nd Lt. R. R. (161) Stopford. Lt. G. B. *Todd, Lt. E. (185) Thompson, Lt. A. B. Tucker, Capt. F. St. G. *Vaughan, 2nd Lt. R. M. Wadham, 2nd Lt. V. H. N. (243) Waldron, Lt. F. F. (260) Wanklyn, Lt. F. A. (284) ~Reserve.~ Ashmore, Major E. B. (281) Bell, 2nd Lt. C. G. (100) De Havilland, 2nd Lt. G. (53) Hartree. 2nd Lt. A. (214) Henderson, Col. D. (118) Marks, Lt. C. H. (83) Pizey, 2nd Lt. C. P. (61) Salmond, Capt. W. G. H. Smith, Lt. S. C. W. Unwin, Lt. E. F. Warter, 2nd Lt. H. de V. (107) ~Special Reserve.~ (_2nd Lieuts. on probation._) Biard, H. C., de la F. (218) Busteed, H. R. (194) Charteris, R. L. (197) Cutler, H. D. (189) Davies, E. K. (22) *Fuller, E. N. (325) Fuller, H. C. (Ae. C. F.) Gibson. W. E. (129) Hammond, J. J. (32) Humphreys, G. N. (390) Lerwill, F. W. H. Metford, L. S. (146) Perry, E. W. C. (130) Rickards, G. B. (400) Sippe, S. V. (172) Spratt, N. C. (339) Ware, D. C. Wilson, C. D. (Ae. C. F. 136) *Wilson, C. W. (329) Young, D. G. (207) The following have qualified privately, R. Ae. C. brevets, but are not at present employed in the Aeroplane Section:-- ~1910.~ Gibb, Lt. (10) Snowden Smith, Lt. (29) Watkins, Lt. H. E. (25) Wood, Capt. H. F. (37) ~1911.~ Blacker, Lt. (12) Cross, Lt. (151) Dickson, Capt. (Ae. C. F. 260) Harford, Lt. (152) Harrison, Capt. (158) Hoare, Capt. (126) Hooper, Lt. (149) Hutchinson, Capt. Steele (143) Manisty, Lt. G. (135) Pitcher, Capt. (125) Sebag-Montefiore, Lt. (93) Smeaton, Lt.-Col. (115) Strover, Lt. E. J. (145) ~1912.~ Agnew, Capt. C. H. (240) Alston, Capt. R. C. W. (255) Ashton, Lt. A. E. B. (201) Bannerman, Major Sir A. (213) Boger, Capt. R. (335) Borton, Lt. A. E. (170) Boyle, Capt. M. (241) Brodigan, Lt. F. J. (200) Broke-Smith, Capt. D. W. (204) Bulkeley, Lt. H. T. (246) Carfrae, Lt. G. T. (188) Chamier, Capt. J. A. (340) Cordner, Capt. R. H. L. (277) Ellington, Capt. E. L. (305) Empsom, Lt. J. (387) Fielding, L. H. C. (212) Fletcher, Lt. (229) Hanlon, Lt. D. R. (311) Jones, Lt. B. T. (230) Lewis, Lt. D. (216) Mackay, Lt. M. E. (177) Mackworth, Lt. J. D. (209) Martin-Barry, Lt. (Ae. C. F.) McCudden, Capt. J. H. (269) Miller, Capt. G. R. (313) Murray, Lt. R. G. H. (320) Nicholas, Capt. C. P. (266) Penn-Gaskell, Lt. L. de C. (308) Percival, Lt. D. (226) Pollok, Lt. R. V. (379) Powell, Capt. D. W. (389) Price, Capt. C. L. (299) Rawson, Lt. K. (249) Reilly, Lt. H. L. (252) Ridd, Corporal F. (227) Roger, Capt. R. (335) Stott, Capt. J. N. J. (373) Styles, Lt. F. E. (338) Thomas, Staff-Sergt. (276) Trevenon, Lt. B. J. (230) Weeding, Capt. (182) Winfield-Smith, Lt. S. G. (187) Worthington-Wilmer, Lt. F. M. (254) ~1913.~ Archer, Lt. R. H. (434) Bayly, Lt. C. G. G. (441) Bruce, Sergt. W. R. (467) Bourke, Lt. U. J. D. (479) Cameron, Major N. J. (478) Chidson, Lt. M. R. (471) Crogan, Lt. F. J. L. (460) Harrison, Lt. Hawker, Lt. L. G. (435) Hordern, Lt. L. C. (440) Hosking, Lt. C. G. (472) Hunter, Sergt. Kemper, Sergt. K. (444) Lee, Lt. C. F. (431) Maclean, Lt. L. L. (427) Marshall, Lt. R. (470) McMullern, Lt. J. D. (436) Merrick, Major G. C. (484) Mitchell, Lt. W. G. S. (483) Read, Lt. W. R. (463) Rees, Lt. Col. W. B. (392) Stafford, Sergt. W. G. (438) Street, Sergt. E. J. (439) Thomas, Sergt. Major Vagg, Sergt. H. R. (443) The above figures are mainly taken from _The Aeroplane,_ 1st May, 1913. * = under instruction; not yet graded. PRIVATE AVIATORS. (The number against any name is, unless otherwise stated, the R. Ae. C. pilot certificate number). _To end of_ ~1911.~ Abbott, C. R. (101) Aitken, A. H. (56) Anderson, J. A. (164) Archer, Ernest (Ae. C. F. 214) Ballard, F. M. (151) Barber, H. (30) Barnes, G. A. (16) Blackburn, H. (79) Bowens, R. G. (39) Boyle, Hon. Alan (13) Bretherton, John (136) Breton, J. (136) Brown, H. B. (109) Chataway, J. D. (167) Challenger, G. H. (58) Chambers, C. F. M. (168) Cockburn, G. B. (5) Cockerell, P. (132) Cody, S. F. (9) Conway-Jenkins, F. (74) Crawshay, R. (133) Colmore, G. C. (15) Dacre, G. B. (162) Darroch, G. R. S. (59) Dolphin, W. H. (82) Dunkinfield-Jones (138) Ducroq, M. (23) Dyott, G. M. (114) Driver, E. F. (110) Egerton, M. Hon. (11) England, Gordon (68) Esterre, C. R. (Ae. C. F. 259) Ewen, W. H. (63) Fleming, H. R. (69) George, A. E. (19) Graham-White, Claud (6) (Ae. C. F. 30) Gresswell, C. H. (26) Grey, W. H. de (107) Halse, E. (131) Hamel, Gustav (64) (Ae. C. F. 358) Harding, Howard (Ae. C. F. 213) Harrison, Eric (131) Hewlett, Mrs. (122) Higginbotham, Gerald (96) Hilliard, W. M. (102) Hubert, Charles (57) Hotchkiss, E. (87) Houdini, Harry Hucks, B. G. (91) Hunter, A. (137) Johnston, St. Croix, P. G. (41) Johnstone, W. Barnley (103) Kemp, R. C. (80) Keith-Davies, E. King Knight, Archibald (60) Lawrence, W. (113) Longstaffe, J. L. (140) Loraine, Robert (Ae. C. F. 126) Low, A. R. (34) Macdonald, L. F. (28) Maron, Louis (62) Martin, J. V. Mrs. (55) Macfie, R. (49) McArdle, W. E. (Ae. C. F.) M'Clean, F. K. (21) Mellersh, O. S. (155) Melly, H. G. (Ae. C. F.) Moorhouse, W. B. R. (147) Morrison, O. C. (46) Moore-Brabazon, J. (1) Noel, Louis (116) Ogilvie, A. (7) Pashley, Cecil L. (106) Pashley, E. C. (139) Paterson, C. E. (38) Paul, E. A. (Ae. C. F.) Percival, N. S. (111) Petre, H. A. (128) Philpott, R. W. (81) Pixton, H. (50) Prentice, W. R. (67) Radley, J. (12) Rawlinson, A. (3) Raynham, F. P. (85) Roe, A. V. (18) Salmet, H. (99) Sassoon, E. V. (52) Santoni, L. Singer, A. M. (8) (Ae. C. F. 24) Slack, R. B. (157) Smith, S. E. (33) Smith, W. W. (Ae. C. F.) Spencer, H. (124) Somers-Somerset (Ae. C. F. 151) Sopwith, T. (31) Stanley-Adams, H. (97) Stark (Ae. C. F. 110) Stocks, Mrs. C. de B. (153) Thomas, J. H. (51) Travers, J. L. (86) Turner, C. C. (70) Turner, L. W. F. (66) Valentine, J. (47) Watt, W. O. (112) Weir, J. D. (24) Weston, John (Ae. C. F.) Wickham, R. F. (20) Woodward, G. A. T. (A _To end of_ ~1912.~ Barnwell, R. H. (278) Beech, A. C. (Ae. C. F.) Bendall, W. (180) Bettington, A. V. (326) Birch, E. (322) Brock, W. L. (285) Cheeseman, W. E. (293) Featherstone, W. (384) Fowler, F. H. (221) Gates, R. T. (225) Garne, T. (173) Geere, A. E. (310) Gill, R. W. R. (258) Hall, H. W. (332) Hall, J. L. (291) Hardman, W. L. (323) Harrison, W. J. (275) Hawker, H. G. (297) Hedley, W. S. (274) Hewitt, V. (302) Higginbotham, V. C. (317) Holyoake, R. G. (268) James, J. H. (315) James, H. H. (344) Kershaw, R. H. (248) Lister, R. A. (250) Nesham, H. P. (219) Nevill, M. R. (223) Manton, M. D. (231) Meredith, C. W. (193) Merriam, F. W. (179) Parr, S. (184) Payze, Arthur (337) Potet, A. (224) Prensiel, G. (198) Simms, R. H. (261) Stodart, Dr. D. E. (321) Summerfield, S. (292) Sutton, E. F. (295) Sweetman-Powell, H. (251) Taylor, V. P. (376) Tremlett, L. A. (208) Wood, V. G. (171) Wynne, A. M. (314) Wright, H. S. (331) Yates, V. (306) ~1913~ (Brevets from 400 onward). Andreas, F. G. (477) Barron, J. C. (480) Hodgson, W. P. (433) Kehrmann, J. C. (420) King, R. A. (482) Lane, H. T. G. (418) Lawford, E. H. (442) Macandrew, H. E. W. (401) Macneill, W. (Ae. C. F.) McNamara, J. C. (445) Minchin, F. R. (419) Muller, P. M. (432) Temple, G. L. (424) Thompson, A. B. A. (452) Tower, H. C. (466) Rainey, T. H. (474) Russell, A. L. (406) Stewart, H. (473) Strain, L. H. (476) The following British aviators have been killed: +-------------------------------------+ | 1910. | | Rolls, Hon. C. (2) | | | | 1911. | | Benson, R. | | Cammell, Lieut. (45) | | Grace, Cecil (4) | | Napier (104) | | Oxley, H. (78) | | Ridge, T. (119) | | Smith, V.[B] | | | | 1912. | | Allen, D. L. (183) | | Astley, J. H. D. (48) | | Bettington, Lt. C. A. (256) | | Campbell, Lindsay (220) | | Clark, Miss J. | | Fenwick, R. C. (35) | | Fisher, E. V. B. (77) | | Gilmour, Graham (Ae. C. F.) | | Hardwick, A. | | Hamilton, Capt. P. (194) | | Hotchkiss, Lieut. | | Loraine, Capt. (154) | | Petre, Edward (259) | | Parke, Lieut. W. (73) | | Wilson, St. Serg. (232) | | Wyness-Stuart, Lt. A. | | | | 1913. | | Arthur, Lt. Desmond (233) | | Berne, Paym'st'r (R.N.) | | England, G. (301) | | Macdonald, L. F. | | Rogers-Harrison, Lieut. L. C. (205) | +-------------------------------------+ BRITISH AEROPLANES ~A~ AIRCRAFT FACTORY. Royal Aircraft Factory, Farnborough, near Aldershot. For a long time this establishment had been engaged in dirigible construction and repairs. In 1911 it was decided to expand it in connection with the Royal Flying Corps. Its precise functions are somewhat uncertain. Its nominal main purpose is the repair, etc., of Service Aircraft. During 1912, however, it turned out several machines to a design of its own, known as the _"B.E."_ This design was at one time regarded as confidential; but subsequently duplicates were built by private contractors, and the design illustrated below, published by the Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. [Illustration: B.E. type. R.A.F. UAS.] ~Length,~ 29-1/2 feet (9 m.) ~Span.~--36-3/4 feet (11.20 m.) ~Area.~--374 sq. feet (34-3/4 m squared.) ~Weight.~-- ~Motor.~--75 h.p. Renault and others. ~Speed.~-- AERO'S Ltd. St. James' Street, Norwich Union Buildings, Piccadilly, London, S.W. Established 1912 for the sale of all parts and accessories; also for the sale of second hand aeroplanes and motors of all makes. Does not construct at present. AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURING Co., Ltd. 47, Victoria Street, London, S.W. Works: Hendon, London, N.W. This company established in 1912, holds all the British rights for the _H. & M. Farman_ types. It constructs in England all _Farman_ types at its own works. (See _Farman_, French). AVRO. Aeroplanes. A. V. Roe & Co., Clifton Street, Miles Platting, Manchester; also Shoreham, Sussex. A. V. Roe designed his first machine, a biplane, in 1906. It was the first British machine to leave the ground. He then experimented with triplanes in Lea Marshes, where he managed to fly with only 9 h.p. in 1908-9. In August, 1910, built _Roe III_, and in September, _Roe IV_, also triplanes (see 1911 edition for full details). In 1911 he abandoned triplanes for the _Avro_ biplane. School: Shoreham. [Illustration: Type D (1911). _Photo, Alan H. Burgoyne, Esq., M.P._] ----------------------------------------+-------------------+----------------+----------------+-------------------+-------------------- | ~D 1911-12.~ | ~E 1912.~ | ~F 1912.~ | ~G 1912-13.~ | ~E 1912-13.~ Model. | 2-seater | 2-seater | Totally | Totally | Hydro-biplane. | biplane. | biplane. | enclosed | enclosed | | | | mono. | biplane. | ----------------------------------------+-------------------+----------------+----------------+-------------------+-------------------- ~Length~ feet (m.) | 31 (9.45) | 29 (8.84) | 23 (7) | 29 (8.84) | 33 (10) ~Span~ feet (m.) | 31 (9.45) | 36 (11) | 28 (8.50) | 36 (11) | 47-1/2 (14.50) ~Area~ sq. ft. (m squared.) | 279 (26) | 335 (32) | 158 (14-1/2) | 335 (32) | 478 (34-1/2) {empty lbs. (kgs.) | 800 (363) | 900 (482) | 550 (249) | 1191 (540) | 1740 (789) ~Weight~ { | | | | | {fully loaded, lbs. (kgs.) | ... | 1300 (589) | 800 (363) | 1700 (771) | 2700 (1224) ~Motor~ h.p. | 35, any make | 50 Gnome | 40 Viale | 60 Green | 100 Gnome ~Speed~ m.p.h. (km.) | 48 (78) | 61 (97) | 65 (105) | 61.8 (100) | 55 (90) Number built during 1912 | several | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 ----------------------------------------+-------------------+----------------+----------------+-------------------+-------------------- Remarks.--Of the above, 4 of the 50 Gnome E type were purchased by the British Royal Flying Corps, and one by the Portuguese Government; the other went to Windermere on January, 1913, for hydro experiments. Climbing speed of this type is 440 feet per min. (134 m.) Dual control fitted. D type are no longer being built. Climbing speed of F type, 300 feet per min. (91.5 m.) Gliding angle, 1 in 6. G has a gliding angle 1 in 6.5. On October 24th, 1912, made British record to date, 7'31-1/2" (=450 miles). The hydro. was delivered to the British R.F.C. naval wing early in 1913. [Illustration: Avro. Type D (1911-12). U.A.S.] [Illustration: E type Standard 50 h.p. Avro Biplane.] +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | _No suitable photo available._ | | The machine is on usual lines. The first had a single float, but now | | two floats are used. | | | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ E type 100 h.p. Avro Hydro-biplane. [Illustration: F type Enclosed Avro Mono.] [Illustration: G type Enclosed Avro Biplane.] ~B~ BLACKBURN Aeroplanes. Blackburn Aeroplane Co., Balm Road, Leeds. Blackburn produced his first machine early in 1910 (see 1911 edition for details). In the latter part of that year he designed the machine which ultimately developed into the _Blackburn_ military. In 1911 other types were produced, all being fitted with the patent Blackburn triple control. School at Filey Hucks has been the principal _Blackburn_ flyer. The type has also been very successfully flown by naval officers. Capacity of works: about 24 a year. ------------------+------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------- | ~1912-13.~ | ~1912-13.~ | ~1913.~ | Military. 2-seater. | Military. 1-seater | Hydro-biplane. | | | 2-seater ------------------+------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------- ~Length~ | 32 feet (9.75 m.) | 25 feet (7.60 m.) | 33 feet (10 km.) ~Span~ | 40 feet (12.20 m.) | 32 feet (9.75 m.) | 44 & 36 ft. (13.40 & 11 km.) ~Area~ | 276 sq. ft. (26 m squared.) | 195 sq. ft. (18 m squared.) | 410 sq. ft. (38 m squared.) ~Weight~ (total) | ... | 750 lbs. (340 kgs.) | 1250 lbs. (507 kgs.) ~Motor~ h.p.| ... | 50 Gnome. | 80 Gnome or 100 Anzani ~Speed~ | 55-65 m. (90-105 km.) | 60 m. (97 km.) | 65 m. (105 km.) ------------------+------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------- Notes.--Petrol for 5 hours (higher endurances can be fitted). Specially designed for military work--all steel construction. All parts unwelded to admit of rapid displacement. Clear observation provided for. ~Fuselage.~--The fuselage is ~V~ shaped and constructed of weldless steel tubing in the form of a lattice girder. The main longitudinals are of round section; cross members, oval section. Connections are not welded but made with strong steel clips so that should any member become damaged a new one can be readily arranged. The front portion is covered with sheet metal giving additional strength and reducing the head resistance. Stream line form tapering towards the rear which is covered with fabric. ~Chassis.~--Two long skids connected up to fuselage by metal struts. Each skid borne by a pair of wheels, axle held down by elastic shock absorbers. On the axle of the wheels are fitted steel springs which take side thrust. Each pair of wheels held by radius rods forming a bogie. ~Control.~--Patent Blackburn triple, independent or simultaneous on hand wheel, but special foot control for rudder is fitted if desired. In 1912, five machines were built, of which two were of the mil. model. Others, non-military models (see last edition.) [Illustration: Military monoplane.] [Illustration: BLACKBURN. Military Type. Two-seater. UAS] [Illustration: BLACKBURN. Naval Type.] BRISTOL. The British & Colonial Aeroplane Co., Ltd., Filton House, Bristol. Founded 1910. Capital (1913), ?. Have very extensive works (area. ? sq. feet) on the outskirts of Bristol, employing over 300 men, where they manufacture to their own designs practically every type of flying machine. Flying grounds: Salisbury Plain, Brooklands. 105 Royal Aero Club certificates won on _Bristol_ machines during 1912 (of which 86 were officers of His Majesty's Forces). ----------------------------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+----------------- | ~Military~ | ~Military~ | | | ~mono.~ | ~mono.~ | ~Tractor~ | ~School~ | 2-seater. | 2-seater. | ~biplane~ | ~mono.~ | 80 h.p. | 50 h.p. | ~1913.~ | Side by side. | ~1912-13.~ | ~1912-13.~ | | ----------------------------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+----------------- ~Length~ feet (m.) | 28-1/4 (8.60) | 23-2/3 (7.20) | 27-3/4 (8.47) | ~Span~ feet (m.) | 42-1/3 (12.90) | 39-1/3 (12) | 34-1/3 (10.44) | ~Area~ sq. feet (m squared.) | 221 (20.6) | 226 (22) | 370 (34.4) | ~Total~ {machine, lbs. (kgs.) | 1719 (771) | 1323 (600) | 1764 (800) | ~weight~ {useful lbs. (kgs.) | 710 (322) | 551 (250) | 1200 (544) | ~Motor~ h.p. | 80 Gnome | 50 Gnome | 70 Renault | 50 Gnome ~Speed~ {max. m.p.h. (km.) | 73 (118) | 62 (100) | 70 (112) | {min. m.p.h. (km.) | ... | ... | ... | ~Endurance~ hrs. | 4 | 3-4 | ... | Number built during 1912 | ... | ... | ... | ----------------------------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+----------------- Notes.--~Monoplane:~ Box section fuselage convex on bottom side to minimise resistance. Mounted on 2 wheels and 2 skids with smaller wheels attached at the forward end. Bristol tractor. ~Biplane:~ Box section fuselage, convex on top and bottom sides. Mounted as monoplane. Bristol tractor. This machine is the latest production of the Bristol Co., and has proved an exceptionally successful flyer. Designed by M. Coanda. [Illustration: 80 h.p. monoplane.] [Illustration: 70 h.p. biplane. UAS.] BLERIOT Aeronautics. Belfast Chambers, 156, Regent Street, London, W. School: Hendon. British office of the _Bleriot_ firm (see France). BRITISH BREGUET CO., 1, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, W. Works and offices: 5, Hythe Road, Cumberland Park, Willesden, London, N.W. Established 1912. Constructs in England _Breguet_ models, some of which are beginning to vary in detail from the originals (see France). BRITISH CAUDRON. (See _Ewen_.) BRITISH DEPERDUSSINS. British Deperdussin Aeroplane Co., Ltd., 39, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, S.W. School: Hendon. Chairman: Admiral The Hon. Sir E. R. Freemantle, G.C.B., C.M.G. Managing Directors: Lieut. J. C. Porte, R.N., D. Laurence Santoni. Secretary: N. D. Thompson. This firm handles the French models of _Deperdussins_, but has in addition a special hydro-aeroplane of its own, of which one was built in