Belle Vue Manchester
BELLE VUE: Balloon ascent venue
Location: SE of Manchester city centre
Period of operation: 2nd June 1852
NOTES: It is well worth looking this up, it is quite a story. It now appears that a balloon ascent was planned by Guiseppe Lunardini, but somehow a certain James Goulston, (engaged in balloon manufacturing in London), had decided to impersonate Lunardini, and make the ascent himself. He was advised, due to very bad weather, not to attempt the ascent, but went ahead anyway.
Perhaps, needless to say, the result was fatal for Mr Goulston.
THE STORY IN FULL
In May 2023 Mr Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', unearthed these two newspaper accounts. The first was published in the Globe on the 4th June 1852 and the second in two parts, with an illustration, (which is pure fantasy), in the Illustrated London News on the 12th June.
BELLE VUE GARDENS: Temporary aerodrome
Operated by: B C Hucks and F P Raynham
Location: S of the A57 and just SE of Manchester city centre
Period of operation: The Ist to the 3rd January 1914
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
We have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide' to thank for unearthing this story, which, in its own way really is quite extraordinary. Who in their right mind, even today when conditions are so much better, would contemplate holding a public exhibition of flying at this time of year? Anywhere in England, let alone Manchester. Given that northern cities might well vie today for the cherished title of "Most Polluted" during the height of the industrial revolution, Manchester must surely be a front runner?
Yet here we have, despite all the smoke of industry, and misty natural conditions plus low cloud, these two aviators determined to make a go of it. The Landing Ground was of course quite small, but even so, venturing just beyond it meant often vanishing from view, according to the reports. Conditions which today would have all flying schools grounding their aircraft. Including those undertaking instrument flying training.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: The newspaper article in two parts was published in the Daily Citizen (Manchester) on the 2nd January 1914.
Note: This newspaper article, in three parts, was also published in the Daily Citizen (Manchester), but a day later on the 3rd January.
Note: The photo of B C Hucks flying his Blériot monoplane was published in the Manchester Evening News on the 3rd January. The newspaper article in two parts was published in the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser on the 5th January 1914.
Note: The magazine article was published in The Aeroplane on the 8th January 1914.
NOTES: Bentfield Hucks was the first British pilot, (he was actually Welsh), to perform a loop, this being at HENDON on the 13th November 1913. He soon became a 'star turn' perfoming loops and was clearly very confident of his abilities. Performing a loop starting from 200ft is rarely seen today, and then only in aircraft with more than enough power and control authority. But of course, these days we expect the best pilots to describe a perfect circle.
What B C Hucks did would have been very much 'pear shaped' as we would say. He enrolled in the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) and went to the Western Front but was invalided home suffering from pleurisy. Recovering he spent time at HENDON as a test pilot . Sadly he succumbed to double pneumonia, passing away just before the end of WW1. His grave can be visited in Highgate cemetary in north London.
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