Sir Arthur Murray LONGMORE

[stevedrew]

Forum,

I am trying to discover whether A M Longmore's various exploits were the first ever...specifically:

AML was the first person to fly a seaplane to land on water (Medway river in Sheerness Harbour), flying a Short biplane (S27) fitted with torpedo shaped airbags fitted to the undercarriage skids. This was in November 1911. Can anyone tell me whether this was the first in England? Was it the first ever instance in the world? What was the exact date?

With LCDR Samson, AML also flew a Short Biplane fitted with airbags off a runway structure erected above the foregun turret of HMS AFRICA whilst at anchor in Sheerness Harbour sometime in Jan 1912. Was this the first takeoff from a ship (or was that Eugene Ely?). Was this the first takeoff from an improvised runway (as opposed to a flat top specialised aircraft carrier? Who was the first, Samson or Longmore? What was the S/No of the machine and the exact date?

AML also flew from HMS HIBERNIA from a similar structure whilst she was steaming at 15 knots. Was this the first whilst in motion? Date? Machine? S/No?

In Jan 1912, AML flew a single float monoplane fitted with airbags on the wingtips (Mr Wakefield's machine) off the water at Lake Windermere. Was this the first? What type of machine and what serial number? What was the exact date?

I know that's a lot in one string, but all related. If you can answer any or all of these for me, I'll be very grateful.

Thanks in advance.

Steve Drew

[horatio2]

a. I believe Glen Curtis flew the first aeroplane to perform a premeditated landing on water, taxi and then take off in San Diego harbour, in a Curtis A-1, on 26 Jan 1911. I think Longmore's was a UK first.

b. First take-off from a ship was Eugene B Ely from USS BIRMINGHAM on 14 Nov 1910, from a platform over the bows.

c. The first take-off from a ship under way was from HMS HIBERNIA by Cdr Samson on 2 May 1912. Same Short Ser No.2 as Longmore's water landing (below).

d. Not sure about the Windermere event.

e. Longmore was the first naval airman in a naval aircraft to drop a standard naval torpedo on 28 Jul 1914 from a Short Seaplane.

f. He flew Winston Churchill as a passsenger on 2 Oct 1913 and again on 23 Feb 1914.

Longmore's water landing was 1 Dec 1911 on the River Medway in a Short-Sommer Pusher Biplane Ser No.2

[Andrew Smith]

Forum,

With LCDR Samson, AML also flew a Short Biplane fitted with airbags off a runway structure erected above the foregun turret of HMS AFRICA whilst at anchor in Sheerness Harbour sometime in Jan 1912. Was this the first takeoff from a ship (or was that Eugene Ely?). Was this the first takeoff from an improvised runway (as opposed to a flat top specialised aircraft carrier? Who was the first, Samson or Longmore? What was the S/No of the machine and the exact date?

Thanks in advance.

Steve Drew

Steve,

Ely was the first, flying off USS Birningham on November 14th, 1910.

AS for CRS and AML, Samson was the first off HMS Africa as it was his idea to fit the trackway to the forward gun turrets, he took off at 2:20PM on January 10th, 1912, as for the aircraft and serial I am still working on that. I believe it to be a Short S.27 serial number may be 38 but Sturtivant has that as other aircraft.

Andrew.

Sources: The London Times January 11th Pg 7, Air Enthusiast No. 46 Jan-Aug 1992, RNAS Serials.

[Andrew Smith]

In Jan 1912, AML flew a single float monoplane fitted with airbags on the wingtips (Mr Wakefield's machine) off the water at Lake Windermere. Was this the first? What type of machine and what serial number? What was the exact date?

Thanks in advance.

Steve Drew

Answer is no, Wakefield was taking off and landing at Lake Windermere since June-July 1911. I believe the aircraft was a Curtis design.

Andrew.

Source London Times various dates.