Don Hale

Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines Don Hale

Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines: This is a fascinating new book about many of the early aviators, their mishaps and their initial attempts to set unique air records. It also includes exclusive details from the Daily Mail Air Race drama first launched in 1906 and competed for in 1910 - promoting the quest to win £10,000 prize money: It is a unique diary of an incredible event. Based upon my grandmother's own recollections of the event, including diary entries, coupled with cuttings from news reports and papers of the day, this book gives a wonderful insight into the problems and excitement of these brave pilots. It highlights the battle and competition to win this staggering cash prize and a prestigious trophy as the first winner of the London to Manchester Air Race. This was practically the first time the UK had been used for a spectacular race and Manchester celebrated in style to welcome some of the most famous people of the day for this historic occasion. The film - Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines - was partially based on this event, and projected the likes of Frenchman Louise Paulhan and English flyer Claude Grahame-White and others to world fame.