Lowther Arcade
Note: This map only shows the approximate location of the Lowther Arcade.
LOWTHER ARCADE: Model airship demonstration
Location: The Strand, opposite from Charing Cross Station
NOTES: It appears that when in 1834 Thomas Monck Mason demonstrated his 13ft long clockwork powered airship model in the LOWTHER ARCADE, this was the first recorded demonstration that the airship concept was a practical idea.
Before that the balloon was the only means for man-carrying flight of course, but it could neither be steered or flown against the wind. As pointed out elsewhere the success of a ‘model’ invariably precedes the construction of a full-sized version. This apparently was the 144 ft long steam-driven Henri Gifford airship first flown in 1852 from the Hippodrome in Paris, flying south-west to Elancourt near Trappes, (a distance of probably 15 miles?), the first steerable and first mechanically powered ‘aircraft’.
But, with a speed of just 6mph, therefore highly dependent on wind speed and direction.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
