Schneider Trophy Pilots
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Schneider Trophy Pilots
I can find a number of books and internet sites about the Schneider Trophy races and the aircraft involved from 1913 to 1931 but very little on the pilots involved.
I have found a copy of the book by Augustus Orlebar and have found reference to "Wings" by Henri (Henry?) Biard (If you know of a copy for sale, please let me know) but apart from these books, I can find very little, even on the internet. A book written by Dárcy Greig is due for release later this year.
If anyone can suggest some good sites or other books, please let me know.
I have found a copy of the book by Augustus Orlebar and have found reference to "Wings" by Henri (Henry?) Biard (If you know of a copy for sale, please let me know) but apart from these books, I can find very little, even on the internet. A book written by Dárcy Greig is due for release later this year.
If anyone can suggest some good sites or other books, please let me know.
Last edited by ian.whalley; 4th Jul 2010 at 08:12. Reason: spelling
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The book I usually use for reference is "Schneider Trophy Racers," by Robert S. Hirsch. But indeed it has little about the pilots other than naming them, typically, unless they were specifically involved in flight testing, modifications, unusually adventuresome flying, etc. Other than a few Jimmy Doolittles, I think most were comparative journeymen about whom few biographical details survive.
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Not sure that I would agree with the term "journeymen" for anyone who flew in the Schneider Trophy Races. This was cutting edge technology for the day and also very high speed for the time.Webster died at the age of 84 after reaching the rank of AVM. Waghorn died in 1931 after sustaining injuries in baling out at low level. Stainforth was killed in action in 1942. Atcherly also reached the rank of AVM and died in the late 1960's or early 70's.
Bert Hinkler and Harry Hawker were also part of the team for the races. Designers included R.J.Mitchell and Sopwith.
I have found reference to C.Howard Pixton and Bert Hinkler in the book AVRO Test Pilots. SOLO was written about Hinkler and there is a biography of Hawker that has been published.
I have even found a book about Lady Houston and there are a number of books about Doolittle including an excellent autobiography.
But for most of the others there is very little information available.
John Boothman, who took the trophy outright in 1931, was an old boy of my old school, Harrow County Grammar School, and a contemporary there of my Dad. Although the school has had several changes in academic structure over the years, a stained glass window in recognition of John Boothman's achievement still takes pride of place over the main entrance. Boothman ended up a 3* and a knight.
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I found a copy of "Wings" by H C Biard in the National Library in Canberra and arranged to borrow it through my local library. I found it to be a very interesting account of the early days of Aviation in the UK.
I will certainly add a copy to my Aviation collection if/when a copy turns up for sale.
If anyone in Oz is interested in reading it, see your local library and see if they will borrow it for you.
I will certainly add a copy to my Aviation collection if/when a copy turns up for sale.
If anyone in Oz is interested in reading it, see your local library and see if they will borrow it for you.
In 1951 on the way to Southampton to join the liner that was to convey me and other servicemen to the Rhodesian Air Training Group, I had time to spare at Waterloo and visited the the Festival of Britain exhibition on the site adjacent to Waterloo station, the date from my diary shows it was Wednesday 18th July 1951.
The aviation gallery in the Tranport Hall had a Schneider Trophy Supermarine S.6 seaplane and DH88 Comet 1930's racer on display as shown in the photo below.
Not sure whether the Schneider Trophy Supermarine S.6 was an original aircraft or replica, but it certainly drew the crowds. If it was an original what happened to it when the Festival of Britain closed?
The aviation gallery in the Tranport Hall had a Schneider Trophy Supermarine S.6 seaplane and DH88 Comet 1930's racer on display as shown in the photo below.
Not sure whether the Schneider Trophy Supermarine S.6 was an original aircraft or replica, but it certainly drew the crowds. If it was an original what happened to it when the Festival of Britain closed?
Do not have first hand knowledge. I did not attend the Festival of Britain; my excuse, I was six at the time and living in Kenya !!!
However I am pretty certain the a/c exhibited was an original a/c. Two survivors exist:
Supermarine S.6A N248 now at Solent Sky Museum in Southampton.
Supermarine S.6B S1595 now in the Science Museum in London.
For a long time the S.6A was painted as "S1596" so have a feeling the a/c in your photo is this one. Confirmation anyone ???
Planemike
However I am pretty certain the a/c exhibited was an original a/c. Two survivors exist:
Supermarine S.6A N248 now at Solent Sky Museum in Southampton.
Supermarine S.6B S1595 now in the Science Museum in London.
For a long time the S.6A was painted as "S1596" so have a feeling the a/c in your photo is this one. Confirmation anyone ???
Planemike
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New Schneider Trophy Book
For anyone with an interest in the Schneider Trophy, the following may be worth a look on Amazon UK.
My Golden Flying Years: From 1918 Over France, Through Iraq in the 1920s, to the Schneider Trophy Race of 1927 by D. D'arcy A. Greig, Norman L.R. Franks, and Simon Muggleton (Hardcover - 30 Sep 2010)
Buy new: £20.00 £17.00
My Golden Flying Years: From 1918 Over France, Through Iraq in the 1920s, to the Schneider Trophy Race of 1927 by D. D'arcy A. Greig, Norman L.R. Franks, and Simon Muggleton (Hardcover - 30 Sep 2010)
Buy new: £20.00 £17.00
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Pen & Sword books have a biography of Samuel Kinkead to be released in February 2011. The books title is Racing Ace and it has been written by Julian Lewis.
Samuel ‘Kink’ Kinkead won two DSCs with the Royal Naval Air Service, two DFC with the fledgling RAF and the DSO in Russia.
A brilliant pilot, post-war he was a long range aviation pioneer and leading racing ace selected for the international Schneider Trophy in Venice in 1927. Tragically he was killed aged just 31 in 1928 attempting to shatter the World Air Speed record. He is honoured by several memorials, at Cranwell, the RAF Club in Piccadilly, at Fawley and a permanent exhibition in the Kinkead Room at Calshot from where he set out on his final flight.
Samuel ‘Kink’ Kinkead won two DSCs with the Royal Naval Air Service, two DFC with the fledgling RAF and the DSO in Russia.
A brilliant pilot, post-war he was a long range aviation pioneer and leading racing ace selected for the international Schneider Trophy in Venice in 1927. Tragically he was killed aged just 31 in 1928 attempting to shatter the World Air Speed record. He is honoured by several memorials, at Cranwell, the RAF Club in Piccadilly, at Fawley and a permanent exhibition in the Kinkead Room at Calshot from where he set out on his final flight.
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Question from my old flying instructor: 'Why did these aircraft with all the massive drag from the floats succeed in being the fastest aircraft in the world at the time?'
Answer: Because variable pitch propellors hadn't been invented and coarse pitch was essential for speed. The downside was an enormously long runway required for take off. The sea provided that.
Answer: Because variable pitch propellors hadn't been invented and coarse pitch was essential for speed. The downside was an enormously long runway required for take off. The sea provided that.
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The spinner was spotted as loose on N248 a few weeks ago. I had the pleasure of fitting it back on securely.
I can attest that those huge fixed pitch props weigh a lot !!!
I think that N247 and N248 were the S6A's and S1595 and S1596 were the S6B's. Until the 1960s, S.6A N248 (currently at SolentSky, below) was displayed incorrectly as S.6B S1596. It has certainly been displayed correctly as N248 since 1983 when the musuem opened.
Let me know if anyone wants to hug her.
Trevor (occasionally working, usually smiling, at SolentSky Museum)
I can attest that those huge fixed pitch props weigh a lot !!!
I think that N247 and N248 were the S6A's and S1595 and S1596 were the S6B's. Until the 1960s, S.6A N248 (currently at SolentSky, below) was displayed incorrectly as S.6B S1596. It has certainly been displayed correctly as N248 since 1983 when the musuem opened.
Let me know if anyone wants to hug her.
Trevor (occasionally working, usually smiling, at SolentSky Museum)
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Thank you Trevor for the photo and sharing it with us. What an amazing piece of history.
You would think such an important piece of history should be restored and maintained so it does not deteriorate. Congratulations to Trevor and the museum for their efforts.
It must have been amazing to watch these aircraft fly and race.
A visit is definitely on my to do list when I retire.
You would think such an important piece of history should be restored and maintained so it does not deteriorate. Congratulations to Trevor and the museum for their efforts.
It must have been amazing to watch these aircraft fly and race.
A visit is definitely on my to do list when I retire.
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I take my grandson to the Velodrome at Calshot Spit for his cycle racing and would recommend the area to anyone interested in Aviation History and the Schneider Trophy in particular.
The RAF last operated Sunderlands there in 1960 but the huge hangar remains with the Velodrome, climbing walls and ski slope now filling the space that several Sunderlands on heavy maintenance used to occupy.
Though still called the Sunderland Hangar it dates from the First World War so must have contained many remarkable machines in it's day.
The Sopwith Hangar and Schneider hangars are still there with all the huge aprons, slipways and old RAF buildings such as the airmens' and sergeants' accomodations.
The Officers' Mess, once connected to the hangars by a narrow track railway had been turned into the local pub. Sadly, when I went to look for it close by the Church and the old Married Quaters, it had been burnt to the ground.
I seem to recall that there is at least one Supermarine wreck out in the water somewhere. Flying Officer Waghorn's headstone used to grace the garden of the RAF Officers' Mess at RAE Farnborough having been moved from a derelict graveyard in the area.
If you care to walk inside the "Sunderland" hangar (where there is a decent snack bar/restaurant) you will find several rooms named after the Trophy pilots and lots of photos to commemorate them. Do visit the Gents toilets for the finest view imaginable of the Solent!
Amongst the photographs there are some of an RAF airman by the name of Shaw who did many of the trials for the early air sea rescue launches when based there. He of course having earlier dropped the rank of Lt.Col. and the name of Lawrence for personal reasons.
I would just warn you that you may experience the same spooky feelings that I do when in the hangar. I keep hearing the sounds of spanners being dropped from great heights and the shouts of long dead groundcrews echoing around the cavernous space!
The RAF last operated Sunderlands there in 1960 but the huge hangar remains with the Velodrome, climbing walls and ski slope now filling the space that several Sunderlands on heavy maintenance used to occupy.
Though still called the Sunderland Hangar it dates from the First World War so must have contained many remarkable machines in it's day.
The Sopwith Hangar and Schneider hangars are still there with all the huge aprons, slipways and old RAF buildings such as the airmens' and sergeants' accomodations.
The Officers' Mess, once connected to the hangars by a narrow track railway had been turned into the local pub. Sadly, when I went to look for it close by the Church and the old Married Quaters, it had been burnt to the ground.
I seem to recall that there is at least one Supermarine wreck out in the water somewhere. Flying Officer Waghorn's headstone used to grace the garden of the RAF Officers' Mess at RAE Farnborough having been moved from a derelict graveyard in the area.
If you care to walk inside the "Sunderland" hangar (where there is a decent snack bar/restaurant) you will find several rooms named after the Trophy pilots and lots of photos to commemorate them. Do visit the Gents toilets for the finest view imaginable of the Solent!
Amongst the photographs there are some of an RAF airman by the name of Shaw who did many of the trials for the early air sea rescue launches when based there. He of course having earlier dropped the rank of Lt.Col. and the name of Lawrence for personal reasons.
I would just warn you that you may experience the same spooky feelings that I do when in the hangar. I keep hearing the sounds of spanners being dropped from great heights and the shouts of long dead groundcrews echoing around the cavernous space!
I think that N247 and N248 were the S6A's and S1595 and S1596 were the S6B's.
Until the 1960s, S.6A N248 (currently at Solent Sky, below) was displayed incorrectly as S.6B S1596. It has certainly been displayed correctly as N248 since 1983 when the museum opened.
--
Philip Morten
I wonder if any one can add any further information to this? The following appears in Peter Davis's book EAST AFRICAN: An Airline Story....
His name was John Carberry. Born John Evans-Freke in 1892, had become the 10th Baron Carbery, inheriting the tile during childhood. He had learned to fly before the Great War and, in 1914, had partcipated in the Schneider Trophy race at Manaco. During the war he joined the Royal Naval Air Service.
John Carberry went on to live in Kenya. He farmed there, owned a number of aircraft and flew extensively during the late 1920s and early 30s.
Planemike
His name was John Carberry. Born John Evans-Freke in 1892, had become the 10th Baron Carbery, inheriting the tile during childhood. He had learned to fly before the Great War and, in 1914, had partcipated in the Schneider Trophy race at Manaco. During the war he joined the Royal Naval Air Service.
John Carberry went on to live in Kenya. He farmed there, owned a number of aircraft and flew extensively during the late 1920s and early 30s.
Planemike
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'Lord Carberry' did indeed take part in the 1914 Schneider Trophy event at Monaco, flying a Deperdusion. Alas he retired on lap 3 due to engine problems. Full details of the race and his involvment can be found in the Schneider Trophy Story by Edward Eaves.
The 1933 edition of Who's Who in British Aviation..gives the following details...Carberry John Evans 'Private owner of aircraft, born Ireland May 1892. educated at Osborne Naval college and Leipzeg Germany. Holder of B Licence and 2nd class Navigators Licence. Served in RNAS during WW1. club Royal Aero. Address Pebble Beach California and Nyeri, Kenya'
Of interest I trust.
Cheers, Posso
The 1933 edition of Who's Who in British Aviation..gives the following details...Carberry John Evans 'Private owner of aircraft, born Ireland May 1892. educated at Osborne Naval college and Leipzeg Germany. Holder of B Licence and 2nd class Navigators Licence. Served in RNAS during WW1. club Royal Aero. Address Pebble Beach California and Nyeri, Kenya'
Of interest I trust.
Cheers, Posso
Posso........
Thank you. Will try to borrow a copy of the book you mention.
Planemike
Thank you. Will try to borrow a copy of the book you mention.
Planemike