Some Aero Engine and other Reminiscences 1905-1918

Extract

I have always been an enthusiast for engines, even before 1913 when after a flight with Geoffrey de Havilland in a BE2a, I took my ticket in a Caudron biplane at Hendon, enjoying a little thrust, and much castor oil from the “Y” Anzani engine. When I completed my figure of eight, nose well down on the turns, the only engine control—the switch—failed, so I foreshadowed my technical future by kicking off the petrol tap! Before that I Was acquainted with engines in the motor trade. I was mechanic in the Maudslay car in the first Tourist Trophy Race of 1905; our engine ran well till it became a bit short of petrol and ate its butterfly throttle. But, in 1907, I drove their first live axle car in the Scottish Reliability Trials, obtaining a gold medal for a non-stop run.