Wideopen
WIDEOPEN: Early experimental flying site
Operated by: Mr G W Parkinson
Location: Just E of the old A1 trunk road, just N of the then B1318, about 5nm N of Newcastle city centre
Period of operation: 13th and 14th November 1909
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Here once again, we have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for researching this event and providing the following items to illustrate this listing. We do not know for certain the exact location used, but the main aim of this 'Guide' is to provide a record.
For some reason Flight magazine published two seperate accounts relating to this event in the 20th November 1909 issue.
This article, in three parts, was published in the Morpeth Herald, also on the 20th November 1909.
The local view above, and these two items, are from my Google Earth© derived database.
NOTES: In those days just getting an aircraft airborne was quite a feat for most early experimenters, so G W Parkinson did well, especially as, without much if any doubt he was teaching himself to fly? Also in those early days, I rather doubt that the really huge importance of getting an aeroplane correctly rigged, fitted with the most suitable propeller, and having an engine tuned at its best, was largely more a question of trial and error. Those machines were severely underpowered and very 'draggy'.
The French were far more advanced than the British in these matters but it might well be worth pointing out that when Blériot made his famous crossing across the English Channel, (or Le Manche if you prefer), on the 25th July 1909, the reason that NORTHFALL MEADOW was selected at Dover for him to land on, was because his machine could not possibly have climbed to around 500ft to land on top of the cliffs.
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