The Flying Cowboy: The Story of Samuel Cody, Britain's First Airman
Peter Reese - The Flying Cowboy: The Story of Samuel Cody, Britain's First Airman
Tempus | 2006 | ISBN: 0752436597 | English | 260 pages | PDF | 136.6 MB
Tempus | 2006 | ISBN: 0752436597 | English | 260 pages | PDF | 136.6 MB
Samuel Cody, Britains first aviator, was a naturalised British citizen (born in the USA) and a cowboy who modelled himself on Buffalo Bill. His story straddles two continents, two eras: the Wild West of America, where he rode the same cattle trails as Buffalo Bill, played the same roulette tables in Dodge City as Wyatt Earp and competed with Annie Oakley at sharp shooting; and later along with the Wright brothers he became a pioneer of early aviation, whose achievements led to the foundation of todays aviation industry and to Farnborough becoming synonymous with flying. Sam Codys early activities in the USA are shrouded in mystery. He came to England at twenty-three years of age and, following the success of his melodrama 'The Klondyke Nugget,' turned to man-lifting kites. In 1903 Cody succeeded in crossing the English Channel in a canvas canoe towed by one of his large kites. His exploits came to the attention of the Admiralty, and then the Army. Cody went on to develop kites and later engine-driven aircraft and, after making the first powered flight in Britain, continued flying until he died in a crash in 1913.