The Birdman Contest on the Yarra recalls memories of the flying Peugeot bicycle contest of long ago. Peugeot offered a prize of 10,000 francs (enough to buy a car) for any cyclist who could make his bicycle fly a distance of 15 metres. In 1912 a field of 200 contenders turned up in a Paris park to make a bicycle rise and pass over a field of strings. Some of the entries would not have been out of place in the Yarra Birdman contest and the large good natured crowd offered considerable encouragement. Crowd favourite was an intense pilot puffing hard on a large cigar who made attempt after attempt on a hopelessly heavy machine. There were no winners but a good day was had by all. But then in 1921 a French athlete attempted the feat at a French airbase and claimed the prize. Alas there is no illustration of the feat or plan of the flying machine. A pity as it could have made quite a splash at the Birdman contest.
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The Flying Peugeot Contest
- Thread starter Russell Hall
- Start date
The feat was actually filmed by 'British Pathe' and the actual vintage film can be viewed on "You Tube' if you punch in "1921 French Flying Bicycle Contest Winner." Why not have a peep?
From what we can see the bicycle / craft is rigged as a biplane and achieved all of 11 yards at a height of 3 feet. Daring pilot / idiot was a Msr. Poulain....... Still, a franc is a franc! Also don't forget.......... he did achieve what is rarely achieved at Moomba (and they have the advantage of height to start off with.)
He really must have pedalled like hell! He certainly does at the old film speeds anyway. :headbang:
From what we can see the bicycle / craft is rigged as a biplane and achieved all of 11 yards at a height of 3 feet. Daring pilot / idiot was a Msr. Poulain....... Still, a franc is a franc! Also don't forget.......... he did achieve what is rarely achieved at Moomba (and they have the advantage of height to start off with.)
He really must have pedalled like hell! He certainly does at the old film speeds anyway. :headbang:
The feat was actually filmed by 'British Pathe' and the actual vintage film can be viewed on "You Tube' if you punch in "1921 French Flying Bicycle Contest Winner." Why not have a peep? <br>From what we can see the bicycle / craft is rigged as a biplane and achieved all of 11 yards at a height of 3 feet. Daring pilot / idiot was a Msr. Poulain....... Still, a franc is a franc! Also don't forget.......... he did achieve what is rarely achieved at Moomba (and they have the advantage of height to start off with.) <br>He really must have pedalled like hell! He certainly does at the old film speeds anyway. <img src="graemlins/headbanger.gif" alt="" title="headbanger" smilieid="22" class="inlineimg" border="0">
What a great find. I researched the piece a few years ago and info was scant. Somebody must be putting up the British Pathe archive. Such high quality film. Must have a look for pre-war races and rallies.
Glad I could help Russell. Who knows what wonders British Pathe holds? Happy searching.