Aerial Derby

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London Underground poster for the 1914 Aerial Derby 1914 Aerial Derby.jpg
London Underground poster for the 1914 Aerial Derby

The Aerial Derby was an air race in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Daily Mail in which the competitors flew a circuit around London. It was first held in 1912, with subsequent races in 1913 and 1914. Suspended during the First World War, the event was revived in 1919 with a "Victory Aerial Derby". Further races were held in 1920, 1921,1922 and 1923. Although a race was scheduled for 1924 there were insufficient entries, and the event was cancelled and not held again.

Contents

1912

The first race, held on Saturday 8 June consisted of a single circuit of an 81 mi (130 km) course, starting and finishing at Hendon Aerodrome with control points at Kempton Park, Esher, Purley and Purfleet. At these contestants had to fly low enough for the judges to see the race number of their aircraft. The first prize was £250 and a gold cup.

The first competition was the subject of enormous public interest, with around 45,000 people paying to view the start and finish at Hendon and enormous crowds gathering along the route. [1]

Sopwith was the first contestant to finish; he was then disqualified for having missed the control point at Purley. He appealed against the judgement, and was later pronounced the winner: [2] visibility had been poor, and Sopwith had in fact passed well outside the marker, unseen by the judges.

Fifteen aviators were expected to start the race but due to the bad weather only seven started:

PilotAircraft / EngineTimeSpeedNotes
S. V. Sippé Hanriot
50 hp Gnome
Did not finish owing to engine trouble
Thomas Sopwith 70 hp Blériot XI-2
70 hp Gnome
1h 23m 8.4s
Gustav Hamel 70 hp Blériot XI-2
70 hp Gnome
1h 38m 46sCarried Miss Eleanor Trehawke Davies as passenger
P. Verrier Maurice Farman
70 hp Renault
Carried the Daily Mirror photographer Ivor Castle as passenger. Did not finish owing to losing way in cloud.
William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse Radley-Moorhouse
50 hp Gnome
2h 0m 22sSecond prize of £100
James Valentine Bristol Prier monoplane
50 hp Gnome
2h 26m 39sThird prize of £50
Maurice Guillaux Caudron monoplane
45 hp Anzani
Ran out of fuel just before finish while leading the race.

1913

The second competition was held on Saturday 20 September, and was flown over a slightly longer 94 mi (151 km) course, alterations having been made because the original route crossed areas prohibited under the recently passed Air Navigation Order. [3] As well as the Daily Mail trophy and £200 prize a trophy and three prizes of £100, £70 and £25 were given by Shell for the winner of a handicap competition.

Entrants and results [4]

PilotAircraftHandicapTimeSpeedNotes
Gustav Hamel Morane-Saulnier
80 hp Gnome
Scratch1h 15m 49s 76 mph (122 km/h)Overall winner
Harold Barnwell Martinsyde
120 hp Austro-Daimler
6m 39s1h 18m 44s72.5 mph (116.7 km/h)
Harry Hawker Sopwith
80 hp Gnome
12m 10s1h 25m 24s 67 mph (108 km/h)
F. P. Raynham Avro 504
80 hp Gnome
11m 43s1h 26m 1s66.5 mph (107.0 km/h)
R. SlackMorane-Saulnier
80 hp Rhône
5m 4s1h 29m 59s 62.5 mph (100.6 km/h)
B. C. Hucks Blériot
80 hp Gnome
19m 0s1h 30m 53s63 mph (101 km/h)Winner of the Shell trophy for the handicap competition
W. L. BrockBlériot
80 hp Gnome
19m 57s1h 32m 29s61.5 mph (99.0 km/h)
P. MartyMorane-Saulnier
50 hp Rhône
10m 46s

1h 35m 51s

59.5 mph (95.8 km/h)
P. VerrierHenry Farman
80 hp Gnome
29m 8s1h 45m 7s54 mph (87 km/h)

1914

Originally to be held on 23 May, but postponed to 6 June due to poor weather conditions. Weather conditions on the day it was held were little better, with some contestants failing to start because they had been unable to fly to Hendon on the day. Won by Walter Brock.

Entrants and results [5]

Competition No.PilotAircraftHandicap [6] TimeSpeedNotes
1 Filip Bjorklund Blériot
50 hp Gnome Omega
40m 51sRetired, landing at Epsom.
2W. BirchenoughM. Farman
70 hp Gnome
48m 21sRetired, landing in Richmond Park
5R. H. CarrH. Farman
80 hp Gnome
33m 34s1h 46m 27
6P. VerrierH. Farman
80 hp Gnome
36m 51s1h 49m 50s
8 L. A. Strange Blériot
80 hp Gnome
29m 46sRetired, landing at West Wickham
9 J. Alcock H. Farman
100 hp Sunbeam
34m 51sRetired
12W. L. Brock Morane-Saulnier G
80 hp Gnome
20m 24s1h 18m 54s Overall winner
13 Louis Noël Morane-Saulnier G
80 hp Gnome
20m 54s1h 15m 9sDisqualified for missing two of the control points owing to poor visibility
14Lord CarberyMorane-Saulnier G
80 hp Le Rhône
17m 6s
18 Howard Pixton Sopwith Tabloid
100 hp Gnome
6m 20sRetired
15 R.H. Barnwell Sopwith Tabloid
100 hp Gnome
scratchRetired

1919

Dubbed the "Victory Aerial Derby" in reference to the Allied victory in World War I and held on 21 June [7] over the same course as the 1914 event, but due to the increased speed of aircraft over two circuits rather than one. Won by G. Gathergood flying a D.H.4R with M.C. Hammersley flying an Avro Baby winning the handicap race.

Entrants and results [8]

Competition No.PilotAircraftHandicapTimeSpeedNotes
1 Clifford Prodger BAT Bantam
170 hp ABC Wasp
16m 0sDid not finish
2P. R. T. Chamberlayne Grahame-White Bantam
80 hp Le Rhône
Did not finish
3C. DraperB.A.T. Bantam
200 hp ABC. Wasp
13m 20s 1h 37m 7s116.78 mph (187.94 km/h)Modified, with reduced -span lower wings.
4G. L. P. Henderson Avro 504
110 hp Le Rhone
57m 0s2h 30m 45.2s75.22 mph (121.05 km/h)Henderson had originally entered a Martinsyde F.4, but was unable to get permission from the War Office to use this machine.
5R. H. CarrGrahame-White Bantam
80 hp Le Rhône
Did not finish
7G. GathergoodD.H.4R
450 hp Napier Lion)
Scratch 1h 27m 42s129.34 mph (208.15 km/h)Gathergood's D.H.4 had been considerably modified, with a reduced-span lower wing. [9]
8Marcus D. MansonDH.4
375 hp Rolls-Royce Eagle)
9m 30s1h 36m 41s117.39 mph (188.92 km/h)
9H. J. Saint DH.9
240 hp Siddeley Puma
23m 30s1h 51m 55s101.43 mph (163.24 km/h)
10Robert Nisbet Martinsyde F.4
250 hp Rolls-Royce Falcon
4m 0s1h 31m 3.4s124.61 mph (200.54 km/h)
11L. R. Tait-Cox Nieuport L.C.1
320 hp ABC Dragonfly
4m 0sDid not finish
12C. H. C. Smith Bristol Monoplane
110 hp Le Rhône
29m 0sDid not finish
14H. A. Hammersley Avro Baby
35 hp Green
1h 25m 0s2h 41m 23s70.3 mph (113.1 km/h)Winner of handicap competition
15C. Turner BAT Commercial
375 hp Rolls-Royce Eagle
16C. R. VaughanBAT Bantam
170 hp ABC Wasp
17 H.Hawker Sopwith Snapper
320 hp ABC Dragonfly
Did not start, as permission to fly the aircraft was not given by the War Office [10]
18 J. Alcock VickersDid not start

1920

No longer sponsored by the Daily Mail, for the 1920 event the prizes were given by the Royal Aero Club. These were £500 for the overall winner, with three prizes of £250, £100 and £50 for the first three places in the handicap competition. [11] Held on 24 July [12] over a slightly amended course of 102.5 mi (165.0 km), with Brooklands taking the place of Kempton Park. The overall winner was F. T. Courtney, and the handicap competition was won by H. A. Hammersley.

Entrants and results' [13] [14]

Competition No.PilotAircraftHandicapTimeSpeedNotes
1 Bert Hinkler Avro Baby
35 hp Green
1h 41m2h 45m 46s72.39 mph (116.50 km/h)
2H. A. Hammersley Avro Baby
35 hp Green
1hr 35min2h 32m 6s78.89 mph (126.96 km/h)Winner of handicap competition
3Leth Jensen Blériot-SPAD S.29
80 hp Le Rhône
45mDid not start
4 F. S. Cotton DH 14A
450 hp Napier Lion
41.5mDid not finish
5W. L. Jordan Sopwith Snipe
200 hp Bentley BR.2
28m47m 6s111.29 mph (179.10 km/h)Entered by Francis McClean
6 W. H. Longton Sopwith Snipe
200 hp Bentley BR.2
28mDid not finish
7J. S. T. FallSopwith Snipe
200 hp Bentley BR.2
28mDid not finish
8D. G. Westgarth-Heslam Avro "Schneider"
230 hp Siddeley Puma
19m 30sDid not finish
10J.H. James Nieuport Nieuhawk
320 hp ABC Dragonfly
12m46m 6s130.15 mph (209.46 km/h)
11R.H. Nisbet Martinsyde F.6
300 hp Hispano-Suiza
11m 30s46m 43.4s128.43 mph (206.69 km/h)
12T. O'B. Hubbard Martinsyde F.4
300 hp Hispano-Suiza
10m 30s min48m 19.8s124.13 mph (199.77 km/h)
13 H. Hawker Sopwith Rainbow
320 hp ABC Dragonfly
10m 30s42m 12s142.18 mph (228.82 km/h)Disqualified for not crossing the finish line properly
14 C.F. Uwins Bristol Bullet
450 hp Bristol Jupiter
7m 30s44m 4s136.15 mph (219.11 km/h)
15F. T. Courtney Martinsyde Semiquaver
300 hp Hispano-Suiza
1 min38m 47.2s154.70 mph (248.97 km/h)Overall winner. Originally to have been flown by Fred Raynham, prevented from taking part by an injury.
16L.R. Tait-Cox Nieuport Goshawk
320 hp ABC Dragonfly
ScratchDid not finish owing to engine trouble.

1921

Again sponsored by the Royal Aero Club and held on 16 July with a prize of £500 for the overall winner and three prizes of £200, £100, and £50 for the first three places in the handicap competition. [15]

Entrants and results [16]

Competition No.PilotAircraftHandicapTimeSpeedNotes
1T. Tully Avro Baby
35 hp Green
1h 15m 42sRetired during second lap
2 Bert Hinkler Avro Baby
35 hp Green
1h 7m 24sDid not finish, coming down at Sidcup during his first lap
3A.H. Curtiss B.E.2e
90 hp RAF 1a
Did not start, owing to dissatisfaction with his handicap allowance
4D.L. Forestier-Walker Sopwith Pup
80 hp Le Rhone
37m 6sRetired, landing at Hendon after first lap because he felt ill.
5A.S. Butler Bristol Tourer
240 hp Siddeley Puma
37m 6s1h 52m 1.2s107.12 mph (172.39 km/h)Third in handicap competition
6L.R. Tait-CoxAvro
180 hp Wolseley Viper
33 min 30 sec1h 57m 3.2s35.01 mph (56.34 km/h)
7 H.S.Broad Sopwith Camel
130 hp Clerget
30m 3s2h 5m 30s107.12 mph (172.39 km/h)
8W.H. Longton S.E.5a
220 hp Wolseley Viper
28m 6s1h 40m 25119.50 mph (192.32 km/h)Third overall and second in handicap
9F.J. Ortweiler S.E.5a
220 hp Wolseley Viper
28m 6s2h 4m 52.8s123.99 mph (199.54 km/h)disqualified for not rounding markers at Hendon properly
10J. Noakes Nieuport Nighthawk
300 hp ABC Dragonfly
17m 34sDid not finish
11C. Draper BAT Bantam
200 hp ABC Wasp
12S.H.Long Martinsyde F.4a
220 hp Wolseley Viper
14 H.Hawker Nieuport Goshawk
300 hp ABC Dragonfly
Died in crash while practising for race
15 C.F. Uwins Bristol Bullet
400 hp Bristol Jupiter
7m 42s1h 32m 34.6s141.38 mph (227.53 km/h)Second overall
16F.T. Courteney Alula Monoplane
300 hp Hispane Suiza
Did not start
17J.H. James Gloster Mars
450 hp Napier Lion
4m 42s1h 18m 10s163.34 mph (262.87 km/h)Won both overall and handicap
18 Bernard de Romanet De Monge V
300 hp Hispane Suiza
Did not start
19D.G Westgarth-Heslam Avro 539
450 hp Napier Lion
Did not start (aircraft destroyed in crash before race)
20 J. Sadi-Lecointe Nieuport
300 hp Hispane Suiza
Did not start

1922

For the 1922 competition, held on 7 August, [17] the start and finish point was transferred to Croydon Aerodrome, with the control points at Brooklands, Hertford, Epping and West Thurrock making a circuit of just under 100 mi (160 km). The competition was won by L. R. Tait-Cox flying a Gloucester Mars I and the handicap competition by L. L. Carter flying a Bristol M.1D.

Entrants and results [18]

Competition No.PilotAircraft and engineHandicapTimeSpeedNotes
1R. H. Stocken Martinsyde F.4
300 hp Hispano-Suiza
2H. H. Perry S.E.5a
200 hp Wolseley Viper
3J. H. JamesGloucester Mars I
450 hp Napier Lion
4L. R. Tait-Cox Gloucester Mars III
200 hp Bentley BR2
1hr 6min 48.4sec177.85 mph (286.22 km/h)Overall winner
5L. L. Carter Bristol M.1D
100 hp Bristol Lucifer
47min 9 sec1hr 50min 0.4sec107.85 mph (173.57 km/h)Won handicap competition
6R. A. deHaig Bristol Bullet
400 hp Bristol Jupiter
7 F. P. Raynham Martinsyde F.6
180 hp Wolsley Viper
8A. S. Butler de Havilland DH.37
275 hp Rolls-Royce Falcon
Withdrew after completing first lap
9 Bert Hinkler Avro Baby
35 hp Green Engine Co
1hr 22min 34sec2hr 35min 4sec76.6 mph (123.3 km/h)
10 C. F. Uwins Bristol Racer
400 hp Bristol Jupiter
Did not start

1923

Held on 6 August, [19] with the course slightly modified by eliminating the Epping control point.

Entrants and results [20] [21]

Competition no.PilotAircraft and engineHandicapTimeSpeedNotes
1"A. T. Renno" (Dr. W. Reid) S.E.5a
70 hp Renault
1h 36m 2s2h 51m 34s71 mph (114 km/h)
2 Bert Hinkler Avro Baby
35 hp Green
1h 24m 14sDid not finish
3J. R. King Sopwith Gnu
110 hp Le Rhone
1h 13m 17s2h 27m 51s86 mph (138 km/h)
4J. W. Woodhouse Boulton Paul P.9
90 hp RAF 1a
1h 10m 59s2h 11m 1s91.25 mph (146.85 km/h)Third place in handicap competition
5W. M. W. Thomas Avro 504K
130 hp Clerget
57m 26sDid not start
6H. A. Hammersley Avro Viper
200 hp Wolseley Viper
51m 38s1h 49m 56s109.5 mph (176.2 km/h)Winner of handicap competition
7 F. P. Raynham Martinsyde F.6
200 hp Wolseley Viper
38m 53s1h 40m 5s120 mph (190 km/h)
8H. Hemming De Havilland DH.37
275 hp Rolls-Royce Falcon
38m 1sDid not finish
9H. H. Perry De Havilland DH.9a
350 hp Rolls-Royce Eagle
33m 54s1h 33m 40s128 mph (206 km/h)Second in handicap competition
10F. T. CourteneyDe Havilland DH.9a
450 hp Napier Lion
20m 37sDid not finish
11 C. D. Barnard De Havilland DH.9
450 hp Napier Lion
18m 37s1h 21m 21s148 mph (238 km/h)
12W. H. Longton Sopwith Rainbow
400 hp Bristol Jupiter
7m 4s1h 39m 9s164.5 mph (264.7 km/h)
13L. L. Carter Gloster Mars
450 hp Napier Lion
Scratch1h 2m 23s192.4 mph (309.6 km/h)Overall winner

1924

The 1924 competition was to have been held at Lympne aerodrome in Kent, the contestants to fly four laps of a 50 mi (80 km) circuit, [22] but the event was cancelled due to there being too few high speed entrants. [23]

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References

  1. The First Aerial Derby. Flight: 15 June 1912, p. 551.
  2. "The Aerial "Derby."". The Times (40049). London: 6. 6 November 1912.
  3. "House of Commons, Daily Mail Aerial Derby". The Times (40240). London: 12. 17 June 1913.
  4. Aerial Derby Round London. Flight: 27 September 1913, p. 1064.
  5. The Aerial Derby 1914 . Flight: 12 June 1914, p. 620.
  6. Sealed Handicap for "Shell" Trophy and 100 Sovs. Flight, 12 June 1914. p. 622.
  7. The Victory Aerial Derby [ permanent dead link ]afleetingpeace.com
  8. The Victory Aerial Derby. Flight: 19 June 1919, p. 806.
  9. No. 7.—The Airco (de H.) 4 R., 450 h.p. Napier Lion. Flight: 26 June 1919, p. 844.
  10. No. 17.—The Sopwith Biplane. Flight: 26 June 1919 p. 847.
  11. The Aerial Derby. Flight: 8 July 1920, p. 711
  12. Aerial Derby – 1920 [ permanent dead link ]afleetingpeace.com
  13. Aerial Derby Handicap. Flight: 22 July 1920, p. 809
  14. Results of Fifth Aerial Derby at Hendon Flight: 29 July 1920, p.833.
  15. The Sixth Aerial Derby [ permanent dead link ]afleetingpeace.com
  16. Results of Sixth Aerial Derby . Flight: 21 July 1921, p.487
  17. The Seventh Aerial Derby [ permanent dead link ]afleetingpeace.com
  18. 1922 Aerial Derby: Table of Entrants. Flight: 3 August 1922, p. 438.
  19. The Eighth Aerial Derby Archived 22 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine afleetingpeace.com
  20. Aerial Derby 1923 – List of Entries. Flight: 2 August 1923, p.456.
  21. Results of Eighth Aerial Derby and Handicap. Flight 9 August 1923, p. 467.
  22. The 1924 Aerial Derby. Flight: 22 May 1924, p. 292.
  23. No Aerial Derby?. Flight: 10 July 1924, p. 434.