Bentfield Charles Hucks (1884-1918), an aviation pioneer
1884 October 25th. Born in Stanstead, Essex, son of William Hucks, a mechanical engineer, and his wife Kate[1]
1910 25 August: Visited Boston, USA, an aeroplane engineer, with other such engineers: Arthur Turner and Reginald Hugh Carr accompanying C. Grahame White "the aviator"[2]
1911 An "Aviator"; living with his mother and his sister in Gloucester Road, Regents Park, London[3]
1911 Gained a Royal Aero Club certificate (number 91) in May flying a Blackburn monoplane.
Flight tested many types of aircraft types
1913 Was the first Briton to perform a loop in an aircraft, (a Blériot), at Hendon airfield in September 1913.
1917 With George Holt Thomas, he patented a means of starting aircraft engines, which came to be known as the "Hucks starter".
WWI Joined the Royal Flying Corps when war broke out - sent to the Western Front. Invalided home after an attack of pleurisy.
Conducted many test flights while working at Hendon for Airco.
1918 Living at 5 Queens Gate Terrace, London [4]
1918 November 7th. Died of pneumonia; buried in Highgate Cemetery
See Also
Sources of Information
- Wikipedia [1]