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On Saturday 17th January 2009 we finally enjoyed seeing
this completed Cody Flyer in its special building at
the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum at Trenchard
House, situated along the Farnborough Road.
The
Group were shown the aircraft, complete with its propellers
rotating and accompanying special sound effects, including
the noise of its crash. Mr David Wilson, the Project
Leader, also gave a presentation which covered the planning
stage and the building of the Cody Flyer (or British
Army aircraft No. 1A as it is also known), right up
to the present day.
Our
thanks to all the project team and staff at FAST for
their hospitality during our several visits.
Facts:
The
Cody Flyer made the first powered controlled flight
in the UK on 16th October 1908 on Farnborough Common,
flown by Cody himself. It flew 1390 feet before crashing
after the wing touched the ground in a manoeuvre aimed
at avoiding some trees.
Samuel
Franklin Cody was born in Iowa and was a Wild West Showman
who came to Europe in 1890 and became a British citizen
in 1909.
Cody
was first a kite developer who demonstrated the value
of kites for reconnaissance purposes to the British
Navy and assisted building he Army's first airship 'Nulli
Secundus' (meaning 'second to none').
Cody
built eight aircraft, after which he was pensioned off
by the army and then spent his time earning money flying
pleasure flights over Farnborough in his last aircraft
Cody VI (the water plane).
On
the morning of 7th August 1913 during a pleasure flight
a structural fault caused the Cody VI to spiral out
of control and both Cody and his passenger died when
they fell to their death (neither were strapped in).
The plane then crashed into a group of oak trees.
Cody
was the first civilian to be buried in Aldershot Military
Cemetry with full military honours. Thousands lined
the streets to pay their respects.
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