AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1929, Page 6

AVIATION

BRITISH AWARD TO FIRST FLYER. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, Feb. 16. The Aero Club Committee, under tho presidency of Lord Gorcll, investigated the claims as to who was the first Britisher to fly a heavier than air aircraft. They awarded the honour to Mr .Moore Bralmzon. M.P., who flew on March 3rd. 1908. Another claimant was A. V. Roe. The Aero Club’s decision is likely to excite controversy. It has hitherto generally been accapted that -Mr Roe flew over the Bvooklands motor course to Weybridge in a machine of his own construction in. June, 1908. Mr Roe brought witnesses to testify thereto. The Committee do not deny that Roe rose from the ground during his 1908 experiments, but they hold that his machine was-making a Imj), rather than a free uncontrolled flight. It is recalled that at a banquet given in London last in honour of Mr Rot there were many references to his being the first British subject to fly over the British Isles. Mr Moore Bralmzon flew a Voisin machine, therefore, it will be necessary, in future, to admit that the first officially recognised flight by a Britisher, over the British [sics, was made in a French machine.