Footless Halls
27th Aug 2016, 17:13
Anyone got any information on a Sommer biplane numbered 47 which was entered at the Reims air show in 1910?
Reason I am asking is this. Three of my great uncles lived in northern France before the first war. Uncle Edgar was a keen photographer and he has left us some 950 glass negatives - you can see a few of the here:
here (http://www.maryevans.com/newsletter/apr14/nl_apr_14_web.php). Our uncle Harold was a keen motorist and I am sure would have had contacts in the aviation world.
My brother has found several photos clearly taken at the Reims aviation meeting (1909 or 1910?) and one of these is of a biplane taxiing, some distance away, with the number 47 on its upper fin. It is a Farman type with the 'Longhorn' type of skids. Other diagnostics are that it has two rather than four undercarriage wheels and drooping V-type plan ailerons on the upper wing only. Comparing it with other photos it looks like a 1910 Sommer to me.
But who was flying number 47 at Reims - I can't find a reference on google to that? I see that Charles Rolls owned a Sommer, so was this one his? Any thoughts or links much appreciated. My brother has asked me not to post the photo at this stage as he is about to publish a book of uncle Edgar's photos.
Reason I am asking is this. Three of my great uncles lived in northern France before the first war. Uncle Edgar was a keen photographer and he has left us some 950 glass negatives - you can see a few of the here:
here (http://www.maryevans.com/newsletter/apr14/nl_apr_14_web.php). Our uncle Harold was a keen motorist and I am sure would have had contacts in the aviation world.
My brother has found several photos clearly taken at the Reims aviation meeting (1909 or 1910?) and one of these is of a biplane taxiing, some distance away, with the number 47 on its upper fin. It is a Farman type with the 'Longhorn' type of skids. Other diagnostics are that it has two rather than four undercarriage wheels and drooping V-type plan ailerons on the upper wing only. Comparing it with other photos it looks like a 1910 Sommer to me.
But who was flying number 47 at Reims - I can't find a reference on google to that? I see that Charles Rolls owned a Sommer, so was this one his? Any thoughts or links much appreciated. My brother has asked me not to post the photo at this stage as he is about to publish a book of uncle Edgar's photos.