.22Specification for a Military Aeroplane.22 1912 British Military Aeroplane Competition

no. 12 bristol gordon england biplane, pilot c. howard pixton

by 1911 clear development of aircraft had reached point of military significance. france, world leader in aviation @ time, had on 200 aircraft in military service. in contrast, britain’s total military aircraft strength nineteen aircraft, of which, in words of colonel j.e.b seely, under-secretary of state war, 1 broken beyond repair , 1 quite out of date. others more or less under repair adding arriving @ point when think see our way choose best type, first teaching people fly, , secondly, buy purposes of war should war unfortunately break out . practical step had been taken war office creation of establishment scientific examination of various problems involved in aircraft design. after consultation royal aero club , various aircraft manufacturers, announced specification military aeroplane in late december, details being published in flight magazine on 23 december 1911.

deperdussin monoplane (entrant no.21) @ trials, pilot jules védrines

the aircraft s performance had meet following requirements:

carry live load of 350 lb (160 kg), in addition equipment , instruments , fuel , oil 4½ hours.
provide accommodation pilot , observer, controls capable of use either occupant.
fly when loaded 3 hours, during should climb 1000 ft (304 m) in 5 minutes or less , reach altitude of 4,500 ft (1,400 m), maintaining altitude hour.
attain air speed of not less 55 miles per hour.
take off long grass or rough ground in 100 yards (91 m) or less in calm weather, , capable of being landed without damage on cultivated land pilot of ordinary skill.

additionally, aircraft had transported larkhill in crate of specified size , assembled there. aircraft had capable of being dismantled , transported road or rail, , ease of rigging , de-rigging 1 of factors taken account judges.

prizes awarded aircraft built in country: first prize £4,000, second prize £2,000. prizes british subjects in aircraft made in united kingdom (except engine): first prize £1500, 2 second prizes of £1,000, , 3 third prizes of £500. ten other aircraft passed flying test given £100.

the war office issued amended , less demanding list of specifications in may 1912, , manufacturers submit entries secretary of judges committee 15 june. aircraft had delivered larkhill on or before 15 july. no date given actual flying trials.

these started on 2 august 1912. 32 different aircraft entered trials failed turn up. competition judged committee consisting of brigadier d . henderson, captain godfrey paine , mervyn o gorman, major f.h. sykes acting secretary.

the trials different modern military aircraft trials. although public excluded aircraft hangars , flying field, otherwise free access allowed. aviation subject of great popular interest, , many people came watch.