The Hazard of Housing Aeroplanes

The early development of aeroplanes persuaded many small aspiring manufacturers to enter the industry. The manufacturers might have previously constructed furniture, or canvas tents. In 1910, Piggott Brothers Company (Limited) was one of them, Aero Pioneers (Limited) another. As proven tent manufacturers, Piggotts were involved through the construction and supply of tents or sheds, "portable canvas aeroplane sheds on hire for military manoeuvres - large number in stock"! In the same advertisement,

"The following goods are in stock for hire at Prize Contests, Flying Meetings, &c.
Judges' Boxes, Pylons, Timber Barriers, Ropes and Stakes for Course, Canvas Screening for Ground, Signal Masts and Flags, Refreshment and Dining Tents, Sleeping Tents for Aviators and Mechanics, Temporary Lavatories, Turnstiles, Pay Boxes, Wind Gauges, Altitude Recorders, Rain Gauges, Altitude Recorders, Flags, Decorations &c., &c."¹⁸

Although the Wright Brothers had demonstrated flying at Kitty Hawk in December 1903, enthusiasm was muted. It was following the shipping of their plane to France in 1908, that the potential for flight was realised in Europe. The range of equipment offered by Piggotts is an indication of the rapid developments that followed. At this time, Piggott Brothers were based in Bishopsgate, London.

There were pitfalls. In December 1910 Aero Pioneers (Limited) brought Piggott Brothers to court in front of Mr Justice Lawrence and a "special jury".¹⁹ The plaintiff company had been "formed for the purpose of perfecting and exhibiting an aeroplane". In 1909, a tent supplied on hire by Piggotts had collapsed. In the early hours of December 3, the tent was blown down in a storm with terminal consequences for the aircraft inside, the property of Aero Pioneers. The whole of the aircraft was destroyed with the exception of the engine. The sum being claimed was the loss of £523. Two of the company's employees had been forced to rush out of the subsiding tent, clearly a rush since they were "without their clothes".

The defendants claimed that the gale was an unusual event. The judge agreed, concluding that the storm was an act of God. Judgment was given for Piggotts with costs. Aero Pioneers appealed for judgment or a new trial.²⁰ The appeal was dismissed.

What an intriguing image this creates of the early days of competitive flying!

Thanks are due to George Bromley of Little End, Stanford Rivers, for the interesting discussions on Piggott Brothers and their entry into the aircraft industry. We hope to return to the subject in later issues.