The Washington herald., 1911-05-07
DROPS
IN TEST FLIGHT
TO RIVER MARSH.
Robinson Escapes Death in
Unmanageable Machine.
BOG PREVENTS A SMASH.
Aeroplane Is Recovered from the
Mire Uninjured.

Hugh A Robinson, a Curtiss
flyer, made a dramatic descent in
the middle of four feet of water and
mud near Benning aviation field
yesterday afternoon when his Grip
pied engine began to wabble while
the young airlnan, thousand feet
in the air, was trying for his pilots
license.
Robinson; unfamiliar with the
territory contiguous to the aviation
field, preferred to take a chance at
muddying himself rather than have
a smash-up, and drove his aeroplane
to the bog.
ROBINSON SMILES.
When he came wading ashore few
minutes later. he was the picture of a
wreck Mud-bespattered and water soak
ed. his khaki uniform could hardly be
recognized. Through it all he was smil-
j
the least.
The young airman was the center of all
eyes while the test was on. The official
committee had divided itself into sections
and was scattered over the field and
course which the birdman was. required
to travel in order to gain his license.
Five figure eights were required, as we'll
as a flight for altitude and two or three
landings within fifty meters of a desig-
mated point before the coveted license was
TO be his.
Jne eight had been described In the
air. and the aviator was starting on his
second. when he darted toward the west
His machine, a thousand feet in air. dart
ed earthward. and both machine and avi
ator disappeared behind the long line OF
trees and shrubs and houses in the dis
tance
The excitement was intense. The brother
aviators of Robinson were not disturbed
by the disappearance. They knew him OF
old. and did not feel that an accident had
occurred. They continued their inspection
of the machines which will to-day carry
them on the last day of the meet.
Crowds Fear. Injury.
The crowds were more curious, and
hundreds left their positions in the grand
stand and paddock and started toward the
spot where the birdman had disappeared.
They had gone but short distance, how
ever before they met the mud-bespattered
Robinson, rudging his way back to the
aviation grounds. With the aviator in the
lead, the crowds followed, and a small
army escorted him back to the field,
where Robinson explained the causes of
the accident
The engine was not in the best condi-
ton when the trip was begun, he said.
but he had hoped to make it last long
enough to fulfill the requirements nee
essary to gain a license. The machine
was dragged from the mire early in the
evening the engine repaired. and Robin
son will again. this afternoon. try for
the coveted piece of paper which will
entitle him to enter contests in which
Aero Club of America Is interested.
Thousands Of persons witnessed the
aeroplane exhibitions given by Lincoln
Beachey, who circled the Capitol the pre-
ceding day; J. A. d. McCurdy, and ROD
inson yesterday afternoon.
In ffty-horsepower machines, Beachey
and McCurdy raced each other around
five-mile course, at the rate of sixty
miles per hour. Beachey was the win
ner he having made the run in little
more than five minutes McCurdy was
but few seconds behind.
Bomb Test Made.
OF the greatest interest to the specta-
tors was the test made by McCurdy or
dropping bombs on an imaginary bat
tie ship chalked off on the ground be-
reath. With whitewash, an artist made !
the outlines of a Dreadnought on the
green grass at Benning. |
McCurdy, going at terrific rate 800
feet above, crossed and recrossed the
spot, each time hurling an orange. rep
resenting a bomb, to the ground be-
meath. Despite the brisk winds which
swept the field, four of the seven oranges
struck the whitewash ship and burst. |
Glenn H. Curtiss, one of the most
famous aviators in the world. reached
Washington yesterday morning. and per-
sonally supervised the flights. Mr.. Cur
t,ss' aviators, however consumed the en-
tire afternoon with their exhibitions. and
he did not find time to make even short
flight.
He will make an ascension this after
noon, however, to demonstrate to the
army and navy officials that he has not
yet lost his position as famous airman
lust because he does not fly every day.
The flights for pilot licenses will be
continued this afternoon, which will be
the last day Of the meet. The three
Curtiss aviators and Lieut.. T. G. Eliyson,
of the United States navy, will fly for
these licenses.
A battalion of District National Guards
men will be on the field this afternoon,
as yesterday, TO help handle the crowds.
TILDEN IS DISCHARGED.