MATHILDE FRANCK 1866-1956 AKA Rosalind Mathilde Franck

Madame Franck, sur biplan H. Farman, envergure 10m50, longeur 13m, moteur Gnôme 50 HP, 7 cylindres actÍonnant une hélice en bois de 2m30. Cet appareil est muni de patins et de 4 roùes à l'avant. Celles intérieures sont d'un diamètre infèrieur à celui des extérieures, à l'arrière 2 roues. Le gouvernail est remplacé par le gauchissement des 2 plans arrières.        Mrs Franck, on an H. Farman biplane. Wingspan 10meters 50 centimeters, length 13meters, Gnôme 50 HP engine, with 7 cylinders turning a wooden propeller of 2 meters 30 centimeters. This apparatus is provided with skids and 4 wheels in front. The interior (inside) ones are of a smaller diameter than the exterior ones. There are 2 wheels in back. The rudder is replaced by the warping of the 2 back planes.      Interestingly, this description does not really fit this airplane. The comment about the rudder is correct, as she earlier flew a plane with a Forward rudder like the Wright Flier, which is missing on this aircraft. On the other hand, there are no rear wheels on the one in this picture, though the earlier one with forward rudder did have two rear wheels. On this aircraft, the rear two wheels have been replaced by a skid, apparently. Translation and comments by Dave Lam, 1-10-04

 

EXHIBITION DANGERS by Mathilde Franck from Colliers Magazine 30 September 1911 Transcribed by Dave Lam, 1-9-04      My first impression of an aeroplane comes from a flight I took, with Effimoff. After that day I determined I would learn to fly. I had not even tried a switchback or a spiral railway. We skimmed along the ground, then suddenly rose to a height of 50 meters. All at once two trees barred our way. With incomparable skill, Effimoff passed between them, and then we rose to a height of 100 meters. At that moment one of the pipes of the radiator burst. My back was scalded by the water which poured over me. I cried out to my pilot, "I am being scalded", but he did not understand French. I was obliged to thump him with my fists-he turned toward me and saw the steam. Then we planed down in a giddy descent. This incident lasted a minute or two, but it seemed interminable to me. I often laugh at it now when I look at the scars it left behind it.      Another experience, much less exciting, but most delicious, was the flight which Henry Farman gave my husband and me to make the record for two passengers. I was seated on a very comfortable little seat and leaned against the reservoir, and for a space of an hour and a quarter I was able to meditate, dream, and even take notes which I carefully preserve.      One day that I shall long remember was that of my first public flight. Naturally the apparatus had been delayed on the road. I only got it at the last moment, when it was just time to mount. And yet my troubles were only beginning. The crowd could not understand that the wind was blowing a gale and that the aerodrome was relatively no bigger than a pocket handkerchief, that it was surrounded with houses and cut in two by a railway, and that it was dangerous to venture out in such circumstances. To cut the story short, in the evening the wind having gone down a bit, I consented to come out in order to escape the cries and howls of the public and the threats of the managers. I flew at will and made my way towards the sea, where there were at least no more obstacles or chimneys. But a fog came on and thickened so that I lost my way. I sought a meadow, and in spite of the fright of the horses browsing in it, came to earth without mishap. I heard outcries and the sound of motor horns and I saw the managers coming with faces of dismay at my long absence. They expected to find me lying under my machine! I had to listen to the expostulations of the directors of the show. They threatened to cancel my contract if I did not fly exclusively within their pocket handkerchief enclosure. They knew nothing of the risks, but the accident which nearly killed me revealed these to them.      The other side.      In a word, aviation in itself is wonderful, but alas! All that surrounds it from the very first, from the moment when one has to await ones turn for a lesson and many other annoyances, the delay in the delivery of a machine, the managers who require you to fly no matter what the wind, and the frequent difficulty in getting paid. That is the other side of the shield.

 

SOUTH TYNESIDE HERITAGE TRAIL Via email from Robin Coombes, 7-26-05      Yesterday I was out walking with my dog at the Tileshed's Nature reserve at Boldon where there happens to be one of the new interpretation panels for the Heritage Trail. On the panel it mentions that the nearby Boldon Flats used to be the setting for the Boldon Races held each year at Easter, Whit and August Bank Holidays.      Back in 1910 at such an event the crowd were entertained with a flying display by the first female professional pilot, Mathilde Franck. Tragically, disaster struck, the biplane crashed and killed a local boy, Mathilde escaped with just a broken leg. Kind Regards Robin

Mathilde Franck died in 1956 Personal communication from Robin Coombes, 7-26-05   Editor's Note: If you have any information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper

 

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