Blackburn Mercury on Filey Beach.
On Tuesday 8th March 1911 this aircraft was been flown on trials at Filey sands, a number of flights were made but
during one and at a height of thirty feet and at a speed of 60 mph flying towards Filey Brigg, the aircraft sideslipped
whilst a turn was being made and a wing hit the sands. The aircraft crashed and damaged the chassis, although not seriously as it was later rebuilt and joined the Filey Flying School. The aircraft was powered by an Isaccson seven cylinder engine made in Leeds and the aircraft's design was based on the Antoinette. The pilot was involved in a number of minor mishaps in Yorkshire before the outbreak of the First World War.
Pilot - Mr Bentfield Charles Hucks, slightly injured.
The crash site.
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".
Today I personally regard him as one of the true pioneers and legendary figures of flight in Yorkshire.
