1st East Grinstead Scout Group
Centenary 1908 - 2008
When in the air, and the length of glide permitting, the pilot could swing himself up and stand on the two bars by which he first lifted the wings. The machine was ready for test flying by April 1912, but the first was only partially successful owing to insufficient wind.
The second attempt in May had better results. At the top of the chosen hill for the launch several people were required to hold the machine down, as soon as the launching teams started off machine was released, it shot up into the air to a height of about 25 feet and was then towed down the hill.
The photograph depicting the glider on the ground was taken on Lady Musgrave’s land. She lived at Hurst and Clays in Ship Street, East Grinstead, and the photograph depicts a meadow to the north of Ship Street, the houses in the background are those in Portland Road. The flight path would have been down the hill towards Dunnings Mill.