Littleport
LITTLEPORT: Temporary flying site
Note: All four of these illustrations were kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder
Flying demonstration: Midland Aviation Syndicate
Location: Most probably just W of Highfield House which was just SW of Littleport town centre. This being about 3.5nm NNE of Ely
Period of operation: 28th July 1911
NOTES: We have to thank Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide' for discovering and researching this little known event. It is generally forgotten today that a lot was going on in aviation before WW1. Gleaned from various sources Mike has produced this summary:
"The Littleport Show held in the grounds of Highfield House was a gratifying success. A great many were attracted by the announcement that an aeroplane flight would be attempted and they were not disappointed. The machine - one of the Blériot type belonging to the Midland Aviation Syndicate - was wheeled to an adjacent field and the aviator made several flights. He would have continued longer but for an accident to the propeller."
My note: We need to put this into perspective. By this time other pioneer aviators had crossed the English Channel and flown from London to Manchester. And indeed Mr Graham Gilmour along with Mr Gordon England flying from LARKHILL in WILTSHIRE to HINTON St GEORGE in SOMERSET.
"The machine was exhibited in a tent until five o'clock when it was wheeled out. A force of police kept the crowd under control. A large field was selected for the start. The fen men, who had never seen an aeroplane before, described it as 'like a selfbinder'. There was a large cheer when the aviator took his seat and started the engine."
My note: Especially for younger visitors to this 'Guide' it probably needs to be explained that, although the account sounds like a starter button was pressed, devices like this were not invented until many years later. In those days the engine was started by somebody swinging the propeller by hand, a practice that continued for most light aircraft up until WW2. It is a dangerous exercise at best, and should only be attempted by those well trained.
"In the first attempt the machine travelled from one end of the field to the other at a height of about 15 feet. It then headed towards Little Downham and rose beautifully while the crowd cheered. It had travelled some hundreds of yards when the aviator, for reasons best known to himself, descended in a field of corn."
My note: This sounds as if the engine was failing to produce full power. Those early engines, perhaps especially the Gnome rotary (?), were not very reliable.
"In order to facilitate a start for another ascent the aeroplane was taken to a clover patch. The was a considerable delay and the majority of the crowd had returned to the show ground when the machine was seen again to rise to 50 feet but then the aviator planed down to earth again. It did not descend so well as on previous occassions and it was reported than an accident had happened. A proportion of the propeller had broken off. This put an end to the flying and the crowd dispersed, satisfied that a flight really had been made."
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