Читать книгу H. G. Hawker, airman: his life and work онлайн

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“Meanwhile Raynham got away on the Avro at 7.40, which meant eventually a start of 1h. 35m. He seemed to have a little trouble in carrying his load, as he had to make three attempts to get off, and he was flying very cabré through the earlier part of his flight. The Green engine, however, sounded serious, solemn, and steady, and seemed to inspire confidence. Hawker made a start at 9.15 without even testing or trying the magneto in any way.

“Then commenced a magnificent and exciting contest which lasted till well after dark.

“The A.B.C. spluttered a little at first for want of a warming-up, but by the time it had done one circuit of Brooklands its revolutions were up to 2,000 per minute, and Hawker was able to throttle down slightly. There was a tense feeling all round, and an ache in the heart of the Sopwith crew that the magneto had not been properly fitted during the previous night. Hawker’s handicap was realised more and more when it was found that if Raynham remained aloft until within 1 hour and 35 minutes of the limiting hours of the competition (which were from sunrise till one hour after sunset), Hawker could not possibly win.