Aviation in Britain Before the First World War; Cody aircraft mark V RAE-O912

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War

Cody aircraft mark V undergoing a strength test in the shed by being hung upside down and having small bags of sand on the lower wing and what appear to be shot bags on the upper wing. Note the rudders have been folded back so they are at the wingtips. With the help of his family and friends Cody built the mark V mainly from the remains of the mark III in just four weeks, after both the aircraft that he intended to enter in the trials were written off. It was powered by the 120 hp Austro-Daimler engine which was relatively unscathed from the crashes it had been in. Note the triangular rudders similar to those on the monoplane.

It was with this machine that Cody won both the International Division and the British Division (£5000 prize in total) of the 1912 military trials, a competition to find an aircraft for the army. 32 machines were entered from 21 companies in a series of tests. These tests covered areas such as rate of climb, speed (both fast and slow), glide angle, landing distance, time of assembly and ability to fly in a high wind. The aircraft had to meet certain other criteria such as having dual control and room for an observer, having an endurance of at least three hours, having good visibility, being able to land in a ploughed field along with various other performance stipulations. Out of these nineteen competed and eleven aircraft completed enough of the tests to be considered for prizes with four completing all the tests.

Cody's victory was however more of a reflection on his skills as a pilot and showman. Unlike his monoplane the design was rather dated and could not in the long term be used by the military. Just the competition aircraft (later involved in a fatal crash) and one other (on display in the "Flight Gallery" at the Science Museum, London) were bought by the military .

With a 100hp Green engine fitted to this aircraft (entrants had to be all British) and increased fuel capacity Cody also won the Michelin Trophy No. 2 (2nd series) and it's £600 prize for making the fastest tour of a 186 mile circuit - in fact due to fog Cody flew 220 miles but to his surprise still won.