Schneider Trophy Aircraft 1913-1931
Schneider Trophy Aircraft 1913-1931

Author: Derek N. James

Publisher:

Published: 2015-03-14

Total Pages: 368

ISBN-13: 9781781554180

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At the end of 1912 Jacques Schneider announced his intention of presenting an annual trophy for an international seaplane contest. There were only twelve Schneider contests but they were major international events with the major rivals being Britain and Italy, followed by France and the US. Biplane seaplanes and flying-boats predominated the early contests and some very advanced twin-float biplanes were among the winners as late as 1925. However, it was the monoplane which was to become the symbol of Schneider Trophy, with Supermarine and Macchi designs reaching the peak of racing seaplane performance. The final winning combination of Supermarine airframe and Rolls-Royce engine was to make a vital contribution to Britain's defence in 1940 in the form of the Rolls-Royce powered Hurricane and Spitfire. This book records the contests and, in considerable detail, the design, development and achievements of the participating aircraft; those which failed to take part; and the projects, some of which embodied very advanced ideas even if they were proved to be unrealistic.

The Schneider Trophy Seaplanes and Flying Boats
The Schneider Trophy Seaplanes and Flying Boats

Author: Ralph Pegram

Publisher:

Published: 2012-10

Total Pages: 352

ISBN-13: 9781781551790

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Timed to coincide with the one hundredth anniversary of the Schneider Trophy, this book is a history of over one hundred different aircraft that contested the trophy between 1913 and 1931. The book includes amazing drawings and photographs of the aircraft that have never been seen before.

Race with the Wind
Race with the Wind

Author: Birch Matthews

Publisher: Zenith Press

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 0760307296

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In the decades leading up to World War II, air races were often the proving grounds for radical new aviation principles and designs. The people and machines of air racing during this period made tremendous strides and contributed incredible new technologies, aerodynamics, powerplants, and airframes. This unique look at the key players and aircraft of the early 20th century's great air races examines and explains how innovative racing technologies found their way into future fighter and passenger aircraft. Coverage of exciting races like the Schneider Trophy, Pulitzer Trophy Race, and the National Air Races, an in-depth look at their contributions to aeronautics, exclusive line drawings illustrating the technologies, and archival photography make this a must for air racing fans and aviation enthusiasts.

The Schneider Trophy Story
The Schneider Trophy Story

Author: Edward Eves

Publisher: Motorbooks International

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 262

ISBN-13:

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Attracting entries from the U.S., Great Britain, France, and Italy, the Schneider Trophy fostered a rapid advance in aviation technology. This book devotes an entire chapter to each of the 12 races, with details of pre-race planning, navigation and seaworthiness trials, the race itself, and, of course, aircraft designs and engines.

The Schneider Trophy Air Races
The Schneider Trophy Air Races

Author: Jerry Murland

Publisher: Pen and Sword Aviation

Published: 2021-09-15

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 1526770024

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The history of the Schneider Trophy is the history of aircraft development. When Jacques Schneider devised and inaugurated the Coupe d’Aviation Maritime race for seaplanes in 1913, no-one could have predicted the profound effect the Series would have on aircraft design and aeronautical development, not to mention world history. Howard Pixton’s 1914 victory in a Sopwith Tabloid biplane surprisingly surpassed the performance of monoplanes and other manufacturers turned back to biplanes. During The Great War aerial combat was almost entirely conducted by biplanes, with their low landing speeds, rapid climb rates and maneuverability. Post-war the Races resumed in 1920. The American Curtiss racing aircraft set the pattern for the 1920s, making way for Harold Mitchell’s Supermarines in the 1930’s. Having won the 1927 race at Venice Mitchell developed his ground-breaking aircraft into the iconic Spitfire powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. This new generation of British fighter aircraft were to play a decisive role in defeating the Luftwaffe and thwarting the Nazis’ invasion plans. This is a fascinating account of the air race series that had a huge influence on the development of flight.

R. J. Mitchell: To the Spitfire
R. J. Mitchell: To the Spitfire

Author: John Shelton

Publisher: Fonthill Media

Published: 2023-04-16

Total Pages: 809

ISBN-13:

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R. J. Mitchell at Supermarine is the definitive account of the life of Britain’s best-known aeronautical engineer. Shelton calls upon unpublished letters, extensive press accounts, and updated material from his previous publications, concentrating particularly on the harsh conditions of Mitchell’s apprentice years, the precarious state of the aircraft firm he joined, and moments of good fortune of which he took advantage. He was a ‘chancer’ as well as a methodical developer of, mainly, slow flying seaplanes. Mitchell’s progress from draughtsman, with no formal training in aeronautical design, to internationally known chief designer is charted through a chronological study of his designs, revealing a formidable work ethic with a complex personality that combined ‘dreams and common sense’. It will also be shown how the success of his high-speed Schneider Trophy designs propelled him reluctantly into public attention and how his anxiety for his pilots’ safety matched an equal concern that his designs should not let down an expectant nation. Later expectations on him to produce a ‘killer fighter’ were equally daunting, and the outcome was often uncertain, but details of colleagues’ accounts highlight the essential and unique contribution of R.J.’s experience and drive to the eventual appearance of the iconic Spitfire.

The Secret Horsepower Race
The Secret Horsepower Race

Author: Calum E. Douglas

Publisher: Tempest

Published: 2020-12-02

Total Pages: 472

ISBN-13: 1911658905

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The piston engines that powered Second World War fighters, the men who designed them, and the secret intelligence work carried out by both Britain and Germany would determine the outcome of the first global air war. Advanced jet engines may have been in development but every militarily significant air battle was fought by piston-engined fighters. Whoever designed the most powerful piston engines would win air superiority and with it the ability to dictate the course of the war as a whole. This is the never-before-told story of a high-tech race, hidden behind the closed doors of design offices and intelligence agencies, to create the war’s best fighter engine. Using the fruits of extensive research in archives around the world together with the previously unpublished memoirs of fighter engine designers, author Calum E. Douglas tells the story of a desperate contest between the world’s best engineers – the Secret Horsepower Race.

Classic Speedboats, 1916-1939
Classic Speedboats, 1916-1939

Author: Gérald Guétat

Publisher: MBI Publishing Company

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 0760304645

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Readers can relive the true golden age of high-performance classic speedboats in this book that covers these mighty wooden-hulled craft from around World War I until just before the second World War. This was an era when speed was still a new plaything, and speedboats and aircraft were raced as passionately as were automobiles; when massive mahogany speedboats powered by engines from suppliers such as Rolls-Royce competed fiercely against rivals from around the world. Classic speedboat enthusiasts will relish the cutaway drawings of these craft, as well as the choice archival photography and the modern color photography of these now-impeccably restored beauties.

Another Life
Another Life

Author: Andrew R B Simpson

Publisher: The History Press

Published: 2011-08-31

Total Pages: 378

ISBN-13: 0752466445

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T.E. Lawrence found global recognition for his leadership of the Arab Revolt during World War I, preparing the ground for the final Allied offensive in 1918. He was hailed as a hero, but little is known about this mysterious and charismatic man after those events. Here is Lawrence's life after Arabia, his service in the RAF and the Tank Corps as a mere ranker, and how he became an expert in the technology of the new RAF. The book examines the work he did for the 1929 Schneider Trophy Race, the development of the new RAF 200 seaplane tender, and the development of its armour plated offspring, the Armoured Target Boat. It also investigates his literary endeavours and his tragically early death, a sad end to a Renaissance man of all talents, an academic, a talented engineer and a soldier sans pareil. T.E. was offered exalted diplomatic positions by Churchill, implored by Nancy Astor to re-enter the fray as the Nazi threat grew, socialised with the Cliveden set, argued with the Archbishop of Canterbury. He made lasting friendships with humble squaddies. His self-loathing was expressed physically. Consulting primary sources and also having interviewed some of those who knew Lawrence after Arabia the author portrays the last years of one of the most astonishing figures of the 20th century.

From Nighthawk to Spitfire
From Nighthawk to Spitfire

Author: John K. Shelton

Publisher: The History Press

Published: 2015-07-06

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 0750965509

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R.J. Mitchell was virtually self-taught and almost all his aircraft were slow-flying seaplanes. The story of how this man from the land-locked Midlands, apprenticed to a locomotive works, became responsible for the Spitfire is a great tale in itself. This detailed book tells us how Mitchell learned his trade – contributing to the production of the cumbersome Nighthawk (designed to combat the German Zeppelin threat) and gradually coming to produce record-breaking racing floatplanes that won outright the prestigious international Schneider Trophy. Mitchell was thus well placed to design a high-speed aircraft when war was imminent; however, as John K. Shelton reveals, the production of the famous fighter was by no means a certainty and its vital contribution to winning the Battle of Britain was 'a very close run thing'.