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--- lesson 20 Pioneer pilots |
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--- Listen to the tape then answer the question below. |
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--- What was the name of the first plane to fly across the English Channel? |
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In 1908 Lord Northcliffe offered a prize of $1,000 to the first man who would fly across the English Channel.^1908 |
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Over a year passed before the first attempt was made. |
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On July 19th, 1909, in the early morning, Hubert Latham took off from the French coast in his plane the 'Antoinette IV'.^1909 |
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He had travelled only seven miles across the Channel when his engine failed and he was forced to land on the sea. |
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The 'Antoinette' floated on the water until Latham was picked up by a ship.^“ |
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Two days later, Louis Bleriot arrived near Calais with a plane called 'No. XI'. |
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Bleriot had been making planes since 1905 and this was his latest model. |
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A week before, he had completed a successful overland flight during which he covered twenty-six miles. |
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Latham, however, did not give up easily. |
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He, too, arrived near Calais on the same day with a new 'Antoinette'. |
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It looked as if there would be an exciting race across the Channel. |
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Both planes were going to take off on July 25th, |
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but Latham failed to get up early enough, |
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After making a short test flight at 4:15 a.m., Bleriot set off half an hour later. |
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His great flight lasted thirty-seven minutes. |
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When he landed near Dover, the first person to greet him was a local policeman. |
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Latham made another attempt a week later and got within half a mile of Dover, but he was unlucky again. |
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His engine failed and he landed on the sea for the second time. |
