|
|
|
Title: Garros Gagne Le Grand Prix |
|
Description: This 1910 print, part of a triptych series by illustrator Gamy, pictures Roland Garros winning the Grand Prix de l’Aero club de France. The race extended from Paris to Brussels and back to Paris. Garros is pictured piloting his monoplane, a Bleriot XI, equipped with a Gnome motor and a Chauvier propeller. Roland Garros, was one of the world’s earliest and most respected aeronauts. Earning his pilot’s license on July 19, 1910, Garros went on to become known as one of the most skillful and daring pilots in Europe. In 1912 Garros won first prize at the Grand Prix d’Anjou and later completed a 160 mile flight from Tunis to Sicily. In 1913 Garros flew from the coast of France to Tunis, Africa, in a record 7 hours and 53 minutes. In addition to these accomplishments, Garros set a new world’s record altitude at 19,032 feet. Garros is also known for his technical contributions to military aircraft. When World War I began in 1914 Garros designed the first forward firing aircraft with a bullet deflecting propeller. By covering the wooden propeller with metal, Garros was able to limit damage from the fired bullets. During an attack Garros downed three German planes, but was hit and forced to land behind enemy lines. Unfortunately, Garros was captured before he could destroy his forward firing plane. The Germans studied Garros’ propeller deflector and asked Fokker to develop a similar device. Fokker improved on Garros’ design with a synchronized machine gun which was specially timed to avert the propeller. In 1930 Garros was recognized by L’Aero Club de France as a pioneer of aviation and the Roland Garros Club was officially formed. In tribute to his contributions in aviation a statue of Roland Garros stands at La Cote D’Azur, Nice. |
|
|
|