The Gnome Rotary engine first made its mark at the aviation meeting in Reims, held in late-August in 1909. It is perhaps not exagerating to say it kick-started the aviation industry and accelerated the adoption of the aeroplane, both in Britain and Europe.
Maurice Egerton, 4th and last Baron Egerton of Tatton Park, Knutsford, attended that meeting and confirmed his ambition to become an aviator. He took to the air in December and by June of next year had both achieved his pilot's licence, No. 11 issued by the Aero Club, and had his first life-threatening aeroplane crash! In 1911 he purchased a 50hp Gnome Omega engine, No 377, for his latest aeroplane and continued to use it on various 'planes until WW1. It is now on exhibition in the Mansion at Tatton Park, Cheshire.
As part of a wider replica 'plane effort it is intended to build a replica of 377 and to install it in a Short biplane replica.. and maybe even fly it at the Tatton Biennial 2012 which has as its theme 'Flights of Fancy'. This blog will record the pleasure and pain of that effort!!
