MR CODY’S CAREER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 47, 18 October 1912, Page 4

MR CODY’S CAREER.

Mr' S. F. Cody’s exploits in aeroplaning are so often mentioned in cable messages of late that something about bis career may be of interest. The “Westminister Gazette” expresses the opinion that in some respects Mr Cody is the most remarkable man to-day in the world of aviation. He is a brother to the famous Colonel Cody, better known as “Buffalo Bill,” and has been more than once confounded with him, for he was also a cowboy and a crack shot. More than twenty years ago, he began experimenting with man-lifting kites and on visiting England managed to attract public interest. Having demonstrated to the War Office that his kites would hold an observer in the air for any length of time, he was engaged as chief instructor in the handling of the device, at a large salary, and eventually received £SOOO from the authorities for his patent. He also assisted in the building of the first Army dirigible. The military authorities would not give him any assistance with his airships, but after three years during which he bad to fight against much opposition, he practically swept the board at the recent competition for military machines, with an aeroplane that was substantially the same as the one he had been flying with for two or three years. He has designed his aeroplanes, and, it is stated, built them almost entirely with bis own hands. His aVlity, however, is entirely practical; theory has no attractions for him, and he has no scientific equipment. Indeed, it is said to be doubtful whether his machine could be used by other aviators. Mr Cody is now fifty years of ago, but ho will give his services to the Army Flying Corps if they are required. He became a British subject a few years ago, so there is no difficulty on the ground of nationality. In appearance lie is the antithesis of the popular conception of an airman. Lightness is regarded as a great ad vantage in flying, and recruits for the Flying Corps must be below a certain weight. But Mr Cody is eighteen stone, and that bo is not handicapped by his size is pretty evident from what h# has accomplished.