Coombe Martin
Note: This map only gives the location of Coombe Martin within the UK. If anybody can supply a more accurate location, this would be very welcome.
COMBE MARTIN: Temporary flying site
NOTES: It seems that Capt Cecil Clayton tried to demonstrate his 30hp Blériot monoplane here on the 23rd August 1911. Combe Martin is about 4nm E of Ilfracombe.
It is difficult if not impossible to describe today the sheer amount of public excitement and interest in those long gone days when the prospect of just seeing an aeroplane, let alone seeing one fly, would often draw thousands of people from many miles around. It appears he failed to fly saying, “ I have a reputation to maintain and would sooner lose £100 than get a bad name, but it must be remembered that you can make another machine, but not another man.”
Without too much doubt today, it would appear he was trying to demonstrate his aeroplane from a site which was above the maximum 'ceiling' it could acheive. In those days many aeroplanes could barely rise above a couple of hundred feet or so., their performance usually being incredibly limited. It is usually not realised that when Blériot made his first flight across the 'Channel' on the 25th July 1909, he had to land on NORTHFALL MEADOW which is a 'dip' in the cliffs, simply because his aircraft did not have the performance to climb and fly over the cliffs!
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
