Early Aviation At Farnborough . The First Aeroplanes by Percy Walker

EARLY AVIATION AT FANBOROUGH. THE FIRST AEROPLANES.

by PERCY WALKERPUBLISHED ; MACDONALD

 1st EDITION 1974

The First Aeroplanes is complementary to  Dr Walker’s previous, much-praised Early  Aviation at Farnborough: Balloons, Kites and  Airships. Covering a similar period (from  1904 up to 1910) it completes the story of  the development of manned flight in  Britain, under the aegis of what was to  become the Royal Aircraft Establishment  at Farnborough:. The book tells three main  stories, centring round the most prominent  designers of the time: the Wright brothers,  Samuel Franklin Cody, and the near-  mystic John William Dunne. The analysis  of British negotiations with the Wrights  throws much light on these pioneers’  character and achievements; similarly, the  research into Cody’s aeroplane overthrows  many received opinions and establishes  that the proper credit for the first aeroplane  flight in Britain belongs to it.  Dr Walker’s research is meticulous, and  of a practical nature; he spent a consider-  able time in the highlands of Scotland,  near Blair Atholl, establishing the geography of the events which took place  there when Dunne tried out his machines,  and interviewing those few people‘ who  could still remember the excitement that  it caused. ‘  As in the previous volume, the brilliantly  researched collection of contemporary  photographs is an outstanding feature, and  vividly illustrates the story as it is told.  There is no comparable account of the  birth of British flying, and Dr Walker is  without question the master historian of  the period.  

ILLUSTRATED

CONDITION  V GOOD , WITH DUST JACKET BINDING TIGHT .CLEAN INTERIOR

IN SLIP CASE