Lahm, 1907, The First Annual Aeronautic Cup Race
Description of the first Gordon Bennett Race, from Paris. Lahm and Hersey won the race in the balloon United States, crossing the English Channel and traveling a total of 647km to Fyling Dales in Yorkshire .
Lahm mentions the unique airship of Santos-Dumont, using "engine and propellers as a more useful substitute for ballast, i.e. for vertical navigation.
"By courtesy of the Journal of Military Service Institution"
And a military comment at the end (pp. 45–46):
Interest in ballooning as a sport has received an impetus which has already carried it to the front, and now the practical side is appearing. It is interesting to note that sixteen balloon in this year's contest carried regular army officers either as pilots or assistants. The balloon holds an important place in warfare. Steps which are now being taken to develop ballooning in our own army show that we are taking the matter seriously, and that we are beginning to appreciate that we are behind other nations along this line. Practically all European countries have their balloon corps. Troops are regularly incorporated for this service, and by constant practice and experimenting they have brought the military balloon to such a point of perfection that its usefulness cannot be doubted. History has already demonstrated its value in the past. Thirty-six years ago the besieged city of Paris was able to defy the German besiegers and to maintain constant communication with the troops outside, thanks to balloons. More than seventy were sent out, carrying dozens of passengers, tons of mail and hundreds of carrier-pigeons, which were sent back into the city with valuable messages.
Let us not fail to appreciate the necessity for preparedness above the earth as well as on the earth, and when our next war comes, let us not be found wanting in this particular branch of military science.
| Original title | The First Annual Aeronautic Cup Race |
|---|---|
| Simple title | The First Annual Aeronautic Cup Race |
| Authors | Frank P. Lahm |
| Date | 1907 |
| Countries | US |
| Languages | en |
| Keywords | 1st Gordon Bennett International Balloon Race, competition, James Gordon Bennett, Aéro-Club de France, Frank P. Lahm, Henry B. Hersey, Charles Stewart Rolls, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Alfred Vonwiller, Parc de Saint-Cloud, English Channel, navigation, FAI, military, communications, Franco-Prussian War, preparedness, ballast |
| Journal | Nav. the Air |
| Related to aircraft? | 1 |
| Page count | 13 |
| Word count | |
| Wikidata id |
Sources
- Brockett 1910, page 487, entry 7083: Lahm, Frank P. The First Annual Aeronautic Cup Race. Nav. the Air, Aero Club of Amer., 1907, New York, pp. 34-46, ch. 1, ill. 4. S (7083
- Scan
