Worthy Anniversary in 2011
Discussion
2011 sees the Centenary of a very important flight - the first successful take off and landing from water by a "float plane".
On 25th November 1911, Edward Wakefield's hand built plane took off from Windermere in what was then Westmoreland for a short flight, landing successfully and launching an industry which spawned the Empire Flying Boats, the Short Sunderland as well as the Schneider Trophy competition which resulted in the development of the Spitfire (a tenuous link!).
Wakefield felt that flying over water in primitive planes would be safer - but they had difficulty in getting "unstuck" so he made up a few different designs, and towed them across Windermere at speed until he found one he felt would work.
On 25th November conditions were ideal, and the plane flew from the lake, then landed successfully.
A week earlier, Commander Oliver Schwann had attempted to fly an Avro D floatplane from Barrow dockyard, but crashed. Already the Navy were interested in the ossibilities presented by float planes!
Edward Wakefield went on to carry numerous passengers over the winter, and the first aerial photograph from a plane of Bowness on Windermere was taken by a local photographer - Frank Herbert.
It is hoped that a replica being built will be ready to view by November - flying is unlikely due to the CAA hoops the primitive aircraft will have to jump through.
It first has to fly with wheels, before being tested with floats.
The other obstacle is the 10mph speed limit on Windermere.
Exemptions can be granted - but as yet have not been. Also, the Water Bird can only fly in less than 10mph winds, so the chances of ideal weather "on the day" is slim!
As an alternative means of marking this very important anniversary, the seaplane from Loch Lomond might be engaged, or if sufficient finance can be found, the Catalina from Duxford.
Windermere was the wartime home of the Shorts factory at White Cross Bay - with 35 being built by a largely local work force, and many others repaired and serviced.
These people, and their forerunners deserve to have their work acknowledged.
In 1912, recognising the importance of aviation and seaplanes, the Royal Naval Air Service contracted Wakefield as the primary developer of seaplanes. Over the next two years a team of engineers worked on more than 22 different seaplane designs in secret under the guise of the Lakes Flying Company at the Hill of Oaks aviation factory near Bowness.
This was the first time a civilian had worked for the military in this way and Edward Wakefield was one of the first people asked to sign the Official Secrets Act.
When Beatrix Potter, and Canon Rawnsley (founder of the National Trust) tried to have the flights banned from the lake in 1912, the Home secretary - one Winston Churchill over rode them, stating that the national interest was best served by the continuance!
FLIGHT marked the 50th anniversary - http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1961/1...
Message me if you would like to be kept informed of any flying demonstrations - or could offer support in an appeal the Lake District National Park Authority.
On 25th November 1911, Edward Wakefield's hand built plane took off from Windermere in what was then Westmoreland for a short flight, landing successfully and launching an industry which spawned the Empire Flying Boats, the Short Sunderland as well as the Schneider Trophy competition which resulted in the development of the Spitfire (a tenuous link!).
Wakefield felt that flying over water in primitive planes would be safer - but they had difficulty in getting "unstuck" so he made up a few different designs, and towed them across Windermere at speed until he found one he felt would work.
On 25th November conditions were ideal, and the plane flew from the lake, then landed successfully.
A week earlier, Commander Oliver Schwann had attempted to fly an Avro D floatplane from Barrow dockyard, but crashed. Already the Navy were interested in the ossibilities presented by float planes!
Edward Wakefield went on to carry numerous passengers over the winter, and the first aerial photograph from a plane of Bowness on Windermere was taken by a local photographer - Frank Herbert.
It is hoped that a replica being built will be ready to view by November - flying is unlikely due to the CAA hoops the primitive aircraft will have to jump through.
It first has to fly with wheels, before being tested with floats.
The other obstacle is the 10mph speed limit on Windermere.
Exemptions can be granted - but as yet have not been. Also, the Water Bird can only fly in less than 10mph winds, so the chances of ideal weather "on the day" is slim!
As an alternative means of marking this very important anniversary, the seaplane from Loch Lomond might be engaged, or if sufficient finance can be found, the Catalina from Duxford.
Windermere was the wartime home of the Shorts factory at White Cross Bay - with 35 being built by a largely local work force, and many others repaired and serviced.
These people, and their forerunners deserve to have their work acknowledged.
In 1912, recognising the importance of aviation and seaplanes, the Royal Naval Air Service contracted Wakefield as the primary developer of seaplanes. Over the next two years a team of engineers worked on more than 22 different seaplane designs in secret under the guise of the Lakes Flying Company at the Hill of Oaks aviation factory near Bowness.
This was the first time a civilian had worked for the military in this way and Edward Wakefield was one of the first people asked to sign the Official Secrets Act.
When Beatrix Potter, and Canon Rawnsley (founder of the National Trust) tried to have the flights banned from the lake in 1912, the Home secretary - one Winston Churchill over rode them, stating that the national interest was best served by the continuance!
FLIGHT marked the 50th anniversary - http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1961/1...
Message me if you would like to be kept informed of any flying demonstrations - or could offer support in an appeal the Lake District National Park Authority.
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