Blackburn Mercury II on Filey Beach.
This aircraft was been flown along the sands at Filey on 18th May 1911 when, while at a height of about thirty feet,
the propeller flew off causing the aircraft to crash onto the sands. The pilot was slightly injured, the propeller
closely missed a number of spectators who had gathered to watch him fly. The pilot was undertaking a flight, which if successful, would have given him the qualifications needed to be a member of the Royal Aero Club. The aircraft was repaired
and he would successfully gain the qualification.
Pilot - Mr Bentfield "Benny" C Hucks. Slightly injured, bruised legs and cut face.
Bentfield Hucks seated in a Blackburn Mercury. He was born in Bentfield End, Essex. After spending afew years
in the early period of civilian flying and became the most highly regarded pilot of his day. He gained his Royal
Aero Club certificate at Filey on 11th May 1911 and until the outbreak of the First World War he flew across the
country and gained the reputation of being a brilliant pilot. He was the first pilot to loop the loop and to fly
an aircraft upside down. On the outbreak of War he entered into the Military.
He flew in France until contracting pleurisy, he then took on a role in testing aircraft for the Royal Aircraft Factory,
Aircraft Manufacturing Company. He also designed the Hucks Starter, a ground vehicle used to start aircraft engines instead of the former method of turning the propeller by hand. Captain Hucks died on 7th November 1918 of pneumonia resulting from Spanish Influenza. He was thirty five years old and is buried in Highgate Cemetery, London. Perhaps the most fitting tribute to him was given in his obituary published in Flight Magazine, which stated "there will never be another Hucks".
Filey beach.
