Moore-Brabazon

John Moore-Brabazon

From Le Matin unless otherwise noted

1908                                                                 

6 October, p.5.

Trials will begin this week at Issy of three Voisin triplanes. Goupy will experiment this morning. Moore Brabazon will probably make a ‘sortie’ on Thursday. The Baron de Caters will begin on Saturday or next Monday.

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18 November, p.4.

At 7 a.m. today, Moore Brabazon will try at Issy for the first time the Voisin biplane he now owns.

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19 November, p.4.

Moore Brabazon did not fly yesterday because of a leak in the water tank.

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25 November, p.5.

The Moore-Brabazon aircraft has still not flown. Adjustment [‘mise au point’] continues at Issy. Setting up of the rear cell is almost done. Moore Brabazon has made some hops in the aircraft, in preparation for flight.

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28 November, p.5.

Moore Brabazon continues with short flights, adjustments, etc.

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4 December, p.4.

Despite fog at Issy, Moore Brabazon yesterday flew his Voisin biplane several times for 400-500 metres, between 10 and 12 a.m. Le Matin notes that the stability of the Voisin aircraft allowed him to fly thus, on only his third flying experience. Others have done the same.

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9 December, p.5.

Yesterday Moore Brabazon crossed the Issy field several times in his Voisin biplane. He plans this week to install downgearing on his engine, which will then turn at 1,800 rpm. If all goes well he will have 70 hp [engine type not mentioned]. He will be able to carry 100 lbs of fuel. Thus he will be a strong contender for the Coupe Michelin, which Wilbur Wright currently holds, with 48 kilometres.

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10 December, p.5.

Moore Brabazon (‘le nouveau aviateur’) will continue his trials at Juvisy. The aircraft was disassembled yesterday and will be taken to Port Aviation tomorrow.

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29 December, p.5.

Moore Brabazon has had his aircraft moved to Mourmelon (from Savigny and Toury) on a ‘camion automobile’ under the direction of Gabriel Voisin. [Savigny could be a place of that name just south of Paris. Toury is in the Loire region; why the aircraft should have been there is a puzzle.] Charles Voisin has gone to Mourmelon with several workers to build a hangar. But, on the way yesterday, Gabriel Voisin sent a telegram to Billancourt saying that they were frozen in between Le Ferté-sous-Jouarre and Montmirail, and calling for help. Another truck was sent, and the aircraft should arrive at Châlons (Mourmelon) tonight.

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1909

1 January, p.2.

Farman and Moore Brabazon at Châlons could not equal Wilbur Wright’s distance record, in part because of the low temperature (-10C). Farman could not carry the 70 lbs of fuel needed for a two hour flight. Moore Brabazon’s fuel tank burst, injuring the mechanic Christian (removing his ear).

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19 January, p.5.

Moore Brabazon is flying the same biplane he flew at Issy, although he has geared down the propeller to turn at 1,150-1,200 rpm. On 17 January he made three flights of [500?] metres, carrying 30 litres of fuel. On the morning of 18 January, he made five flights of 2 kilometres, circling [‘en circuit’], in a 5 metre/second wind. All worked perfectly. Today he will probably try for longer flights.

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29 January, p.5.

Moore Brabazon yesterday morning flew 5 kilometres with turns, on his aircraft with the geared down propeller. He intends to get a new motor, with increased cylinder bore, which will allow direct drive of the propeller. The motor is to be fitted in 4 to 5 days.

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There is no further mention of Moore Brabazon  in Le Matin. He did not take part in the Grande Semaine d’Aviation at Bétheny (Reims) in August 1909. But he was the first qualified pilot in the UK, first flying in May 1909. It is likely that he left Châlons quite early in 1909 to return to England (taking his Voisin aircraft with him).