In 1923 the Schneider Trophy Contest was once more held in England, this time at Cowes, on September 28.The start and finish of the 186 mile course was located at Cowes, and there were turning points at Selsey Bill and Southsea.
The following countries entered teams:Great Britain, France, Italy, and America. France entered six aircraft —two by Soc. Industrielle de Caudebec-en-Caux (Latham), two by C.A.M.S., and two by Soc. Aeronautique Blanchard. Great Britain entered three—a Supermarine-Napier flying-boat,a Blackburn flying-boat, and a Sopwith-Hawker(crashed some weeks before the contest).America sent over four machines, one as a reserve and Italy, unfortunately,withdrew a few weeks before the contest
One of the American entries,a Navy-Wright twin-float biplane, fitted with 700 h.p. Wright engine crashed on landing a few days before the event , and the Blackturn " Pellet,"sank after a taxying mishap on 27th September during the navigability trials.
The two U.S. Navy-Curtiss aircraft , No. 3 (Irvine) and No. 4 (Rittenhouse) took off first,followed fifteen minutes later by Biard, with the Sea Lion.After this the French team were signalled to start, but only Hurel, on C.A.M.S. 38, got away successfully, the other two aircraft retiring—one fouling a buoy and the other having engine trouble.
Rittenhouse 1 hr. 12 mins. 26.8 secs.at an average speed of 177-38 m.p.h. Irvine's time: 1 hr. 14 mins. 5.2 secs. (173-46 m.p.h.) Biard's time 1 hr. 21 mins. 46 secs. (151 -16 m.p.h.).
Race
Number. Reg'n. A/c type. Pilot. Remarks
1: Intended for Italy ?
2: Intended for Italy ?
3: A6080 Curtiss CR3 Rutledge Irvine 2nd place
4: A6081 Curtiss CR3 David Rittenhouse Winner
5: A6544 Navy Wright NW2. A W Gorton... sank before race
6: G-EBFH Blackburn Pellet Kenworthy,.. Taxy mishap before race
7: G-EBAH Supermarine Sea Lion III Henri Baird. 3rd place.
8: F-ESEH Blanchard C.1, Teste reg'n unconfirmed
9: F-ESFD CAMS 38 Maurice Hurel, did not finish
10: F-ESEC CAMS 36Bis, Pelletier D'oisy. non-starter
11: F-ESEJ Latham L1, Duhamel. non-starter
.. F-Exxx Latham L.1. Benoit(Reserve) not used
A6447 USN TR3A converted TS-2 Lt Weade(reserve) not used
|
