Edward Mines

1909.

Edward Mines (1870-1934) of the Edward Mines Aviation Syndicate

1909 October. Showed his biplane at the Doncaster meeting. 'Mines also brought out this biplane - a machine which has been variously described as a "meat safe," a "baby's cot," and a "pigeon pen" - and made an attempt to fly. It is to be feared, however, that this small machine will never rise above the ground in its present state. It is obviously under-powered, and also every point in its design is open to serious objection as being dead against all known aeronautic theory and practice. The Mines machine is named "Dot"; as a spectator drily observed, it is the Dot which won't carry one.'

1909 October. Report. 'Mr. Grant saw many of the pioneer airmen at work. At an early aviation meeting at Doncaster was one amazing little machine, constructed round a dilapidated old tricycle. The pilot, Mr. Edward Mines, calling loudly to his only mechanic, a weedy boy named George, prepared to take the air.

Settling himself on the tricycle seat and grasping the handle-bars, he started the engine. Nothing happened until George, straining greatly, began to push behind. The added power caused man and machine to move across the ground, but almost at once disaster came. The cause was trivial. A piece of string snapped and the saddle fell off, causing the airman to smash the starboard plane by falling on it. George added to the noise of the crash by pitching head-first into the mess owing to the sudden stop. The intrepid aviator, we are told, picked up his machine and marched back to the hangar with it on his shoulder. George brought up the rear with the bits that had fallen off.'

1909 October. Report. 'A feature of the lighter aide of the meeting was the appearance in the aerodrome this morning of Mr. Edward Mines on his “dark home.” That is the little machine which has no official description on the programme, but which has on different occasions been called a “meat safe,” a ‘‘coffee stall,” and ”a band box.” He drove over the grass at the rate about four miles an hour amid the amusement of all who know anything about aviation. Many doubt its man-carrying capacity. Others question its ability to rise at all. Up to now it had not left the ground. At one o'clock the wind waa 24 miles hour. There is obviously no chance of flying till after luncheon. The Mines machine served to create much diversion. It never left the ground. The pilot was constantly brought up by the stopping of his engine. He then descended from his seat and amid much amusement borrowed pieces of string from spectators. With these he patched up his curious aeroplane, which was finally dragged home by a motor car.'

1909 October. Report. 'One of the English competitors fly at Doncaster is Mr. Edward Mines, of West Kirby, near Liverpool. His machine is a biplane, somewhat after the Wright model, weighing 400lb'

1909 October. Report. 'Mr. Edward Mines, who is turning up with a British machine from West Kirby. The latter is a young Englishman who has had some experience in aviation in France during the past few months'

1909 October. Report. 'The utmost curiosity is felt in the fate Mr. Edward Mines, of West Kirby, Liverpool, who has brought over a machine quite distinct from all existing models. Naturally, the Frenchmen are sceptical about it, but shall see. From tin to tip of the planes it is less than half the length of the planes of the Wright biplane, the precise measurement 14.5 feet. It has no tail, the steering rudders being at the side instead of at the back, whilst the engine is only equal to eight horsepower - a trifle compared with the fifty horse-power engines on the field. Mines has not yet flown his machine, so that he is making a novel experiment. Up to present his chief claim to aviation rests upon his skill as a glider. However, his efforts are watched with the utmost sympathy.'

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