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The 91 Before Lindbergh
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Click for larger view |
Peter Allen |
19.99 |
Almost from the moment
that man could leave the ground, even in uncontrollable balloons, the
Atlantic has been a challenge, partly just 'because it was there', but
somehow its conquest has had a much greater fascination than the conquest of
the Pacific or the Indian Ocean. Lindbergh himself wrote: 'There is
something unique about this ocean that gives it character above all other
seas'.
Just as it is now, Atlantic weather in those days was not only hostile
but also unpredictable; high winds, rough seas, fog, rain, sleet, snow and
icing conditions even in mid-summer were the rule and not the exception.
Weather forecasting was non-existent; all that could be relied upon then was
the probability that there would be a following wind for a west to east
flight on the North Atlantic and in the opposite direction south of the
Equator.
If the weather was a constant anxiety so too were the instruments
available to the flyers; proper compasses, blind-flying aids and reliable
radios simply did not exist and navigation depended on dead reckoning or
sextant readings, which were often unobtainable for hours on end.
If this was not bad
enough, the aircraft were still primitive in the extreme. Ash, spruce,
plywood, canvas and dope, bracing wires, open cockpits were the rule; the
engines were heavy and unreliable with a poor power/weight ratio. The
aircraft were just able to stagger across, propelling their own weight,
their crew and a vast load of petrol. The Vickers Vimy of Alcock and Brown,
surprises you not by its smallness, for it is a fair size, but by its
flimsiness.
Although many books have appeared on various aspects of the early
Atlantic flights, until now no one book has described the conquest of the
Atlantic North and South by aeroplane, airship, seaplane and flying boat. In
telling the story of all the Atlantic flyers prior to Lindbergh's epic
flight, this book reveals much fascinating matter unpublished before and
underlines the courage and determination of pioneer aviators.
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A good copy in dust
jacket. Ex-library with library stamps and markings. Eagan, MN: Flying
Books, 1985 Cloth. First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.
ISBN:0-911139-03-6. This useful reference book details the attempts at
mastering the Atlantic crossing prior to the success of Charles Lindbergh.
The period from 1919 through 1926 is historically detailed, including the
reality of hostile weather and flimsy, primitive aircraft. A unique study in
early aviation history, containing many photographs. This copy is in
excellent shape. A book of great photos and text, I will really miss this
one.
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