The Dawn of Aviation: The Pivotal Role of Sussex People and Places in the Develo

The Dawn of Aviation by Roy Brooks

Estimated delivery 4-14 business days

Format Hardcover

Condition Brand New

Description This book presents a remarkable picture of the men and machines that played such an important part in the early history of flight.

Publisher Description

Shoreham airport, founded in 1910, is the oldest airport in the UK and the oldest purpose-built commercial airport in the world. Yet aviation began in Sussex far earlier, with balloonists making landfall at Kingsfold near Horsham in 1785. These early activities attracted much attention, with some 30,000 people gathering at Black Rock in Brighton, as well as on the surrounding hills, to watch the first balloon ascent from the town in July 1821 - using coal gas from the recently opened gas works. That particular balloonist, Charles Green, later became immortalised by Charles Dickens in his Sketches By Boz. The military were quick to appreciate the potential benefits of aerial observation and in 1880 balloons were deployed for the first time at the annual Volunteer Review at Brighton. Often wind conditions were not favourable for balloons, which prompted the army to consider employing kites and in June 1903 an international competition was held on the South Downs near Findon to see if kites could lift a man into the air. While this was found to be possible, it proved a terrifying experience for the unfortunate pilots. Before powered flight became a reality, it was gliders which were the first heavier than air machines to take to the skies. In 1902 Mr Jose Weiss began launching unmanned gliders off a ramp at Houghton Hill near Amberley, which flew up to two miles. But soon the internal combustion engine made powered, controlled flight a reality and on 7 November 1908, Alec Ogilvie flew a Wright Brothers biplane along the coast at Camber. By the time war broke out in 1914, the people of Sussex had seen the Brooklands to Brighton air race and the establishment of flying schools at Shoreham and Eastbourne. After the Armistice, aviation started becoming increasingly expensive and increasingly regulated. The halcyon days of swashbuckling amateurs taking to the skies in untested contraptions was drawing to a close. AUTHOR: Having lived in Sussex for many years, the late Roy Brooks developed a deep interest in the county's aviation heritage. Over many years he delved deep into various archives and libraries to build up this remarkable insight into the early history of flight. 100 b/w illustrations

Author Biography

Having lived in Sussex for many years, the late ROY BROOKS developed a deep interest in the county's aviation heritage. Over many years he delved deep into various archives and libraries to build up this remarkable insight into the early history of flight.

Details ISBN 1526786346 ISBN-13 9781526786340 Title The Dawn of Aviation Author Roy Brooks Format Hardcover Year 2021 Pages 240 Publisher Pen & Sword Books Ltd GE_Item_ID:132253936; About Us

Grand Eagle Retail is the ideal place for all your shopping needs! With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and over 1,000,000 in stock items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love!

Shipping & Delivery Times

Shipping is FREE to any address in USA.

Please view eBay estimated delivery times at the top of the listing. Deliveries are made by either USPS or Courier. We are unable to deliver faster than stated.

International deliveries will take 1-6 weeks.

NOTE: We are unable to offer combined shipping for multiple items purchased. This is because our items are shipped from different locations.

Returns

If you wish to return an item, please consult our Returns Policy as below:

Please contact Customer Services and request "Return Authorisation" before you send your item back to us. Unauthorised returns will not be accepted.

Returns must be postmarked within 4 business days of authorisation and must be in resellable condition.

Returns are shipped at the customer's risk. We cannot take responsibility for items which are lost or damaged in transit.

For purchases where a shipping charge was paid, there will be no refund of the original shipping charge.

Additional Questions

If you have any questions please feel free to Contact Us.

Categories Baby Books Electronics Fashion Games Health & Beauty Home, Garden & Pets Movies Music Sports & Outdoors Toys