The Feilding Star Oroua and Kiwitea Counties’ Gazette SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1929. THE SCHNEIDER CUP

Feilding Star, Volume 7, Issue 2305, 7 September 1929, Page 4

The Feilding Star Oroua and Kiwitea Counties’ Gazette SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1929. THE SCHNEIDER CUP

It might be an. oxtravaganco in the development of aviation—so much so that if has heen suggested thuf to day's race for the Schneider Cup will he [ho last of the serieshut tho facf remains that all {:l\e world is watching keenly for ■(he result. The dropping ouf of i;he United States because its machine could not match the (rial speeds of other .onfcran(s, the retiring of France, probably, because tjWe expense was proving (;oo great, and fclie chapter of accidents and fatalities in connection wiflf. f,ho trials in Italy have all tended to deepen (he general interest in the international match. It is not, as the name suggests, a G'ev man trophy. When AT. Schneider a rich French, sportsman, instituted and endowed (he trophy, he lit(;lo Vhfoamf t.hatjj hire CompetiJi,on, thus Founded would provide such a striking contribution to aerial advancement. The progress which speed in the air has made since the cup was first competed for in 1913 may ho estimated by comparison of the winning speeds. In (he initial year France on. (be ( rop'l ;y with 45 miles an hour. Croat Britain was successful in 1914 with 75 miles an hour. When, after the war, the competition was resumed, in 1920, 90 miles an hour enabled Italy to gain her first victory, and in the next year she made a. great advance, with, 133 miles an hour. There were changes . • 1 during (lie ensuing five contests: Brifain took the trophy from. Italy in 1922 with a speed of 142 miles, American aviator took the Schneider Cup home with) them next year at a. pace of 181 miles and held ij again in 1925 (no race in 1924) with, tho great speed of 234 miles an hour, •- miracle of speed that was outdone by an Italian machine in the next; race by 12 miles. Ye), in 1927 (when R was decided' to make if a. biennial eonfost). Britain again came to the fore, and in the flight arotliul the popular seaside resort, Lido, opposite Venice, Flight-Limit,. S.AT. Webster did the . course at a speed of 281 miles per hour. Within the past two years the speed; of which a seaplane is capable has been further increased. Italy holds the record with 322 miles, an hour, while last year IF! igli(.-Lieut. D’A/t'diy Groig, in a. British machine, narrowly missed equalling this. But these speeds were accomplished over a straight course, whilst the Schneider Cup is dcidedi over a three or four ' sided course, with consequent lowering of speed at the turns. The race that is taking place to-day between the, Britons and the Italians i,s off the favourite yachting rendezvous, Cowes, above the River Solent; and the Isle of Wight. The. seaplanes have to make seven circuits, the tofal ilight being about 218 J miles,, so thaf 1,1 ic test is practical and absolute. Besides the great flight—indeed, prior to that event —the machines entered, had to prove that they were not freaks, but were strong enough to taxi over a certain distance, rise from the wafer twice and alight again without damaging the floats. Yesterday was devoted to these preliminary demonstrations, which in themselves are exciting for ; tb,e> million [spectators. 4fatly has some Aces for the flight, while England,'s star pilots will, be FlightOfficer Waghorn, Lieut- Greig,- who already lias done the fastest time any Briton has flown, and Flying Officer Afeherley, who recently won t'Re King’s Cup in the ..great raeo in England. The men for (his costly, yet fascinating contest underwent special training for several months at rue Royal Air Force seaplane sation at Galshot. Their machines have been built by the Supermarine and Gloster firms and the engines by (be Napier and Rolls-Royce companies. The race is to be flown between 2 and 4 o’clock this afternoon, and if the starting time is adhered to. (hen Foil ding folks who are sufficiently interested fo sif, up and listen in should hear it detailed on their’ radios -between 1.30 and 3.30 o’clock to-morrow morning. Good luck to Britain!