it. But during the last few years it has passed from one triumph
to another, commencing with a long-distance record established by
Henri Farman at Rheims, in 1909. It has since been used with
success by aviators all the world over. That in the Aerial Derby
of 1913--which was flown over a course Of 94 miles around
London--six of the eleven machines which took part in the race
were fitted with Gnome engines, and victory was achieved by Mr.
Gustav Hamel, who drove an 80-horse-power Gnome, is conclusive
evidence of the high value of this engine in aviation.



CHAPTER XXIII
A Famous British Inventor of Aviation Engines

In the general design and beauty of workmanship involved in the
construction of aeroplanes, Britain is now quite the equal of her
foreign rivals; even in engines we are making extremely rapid
progress, and the well-known Green Engine Company, profiting by
the result of nine years' experience, are able to turn out
aeroplane engines as reliable, efficient, and as light in pounds
weight per horse-power as any aero engine in existence.

In the early days of aviation larger and better engines of
British make specially suited for aeroplanes were our most urgent
need.

The story of the invention of the "Green" engine is a record of
triumph over great difficulties.