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Pedal power takes a nosedive. It was great while it lasted
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Pedal power takes a nosedive. It was great while it lasted
Pedal power takes a nosedive. It was great while it lasted. But the flight of Britains latest fan-powered aircraft ended rather abruptly
The plane, grandly named Jupiter, came down to earth with a crash after being caught by a gust of wind at the Royal Air Force station at Benson, Oxfordshire.
But for the pilot, 28-year-old Flight Lieutenant John Potter, it had been were when a were flight of fency. The bicycle-driven plane, which has an 80-ft wingspan, had stayed aloft for 44-seconds and flown a craditabls 500-yards, apurred on by his energetic padalling. Flight Lieutenant Potter stepped unhurt form a tangle of broken balau wood and plastic foil. All is not lost, however. the plane, built with the help of R.A.F. apprentices, will be ready to fly again in a couple of weeks. And they have their sights firmly set on the £ 10, 000 price being offfered for 1, 760-yard flight over a figure-of-eight course. Down to earth... A crash-landing for pilot John Potter after the 500-yard flight. March 1972
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Media ID 21368717
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Pedal power takes a nosedive. It was great while it lasted. But the flight of Britain's latest fan-powered aircraft ended rather abruptly. The print captures the dramatic moment when the grandly named Jupiter, a bicycle-driven plane with an impressive 80-ft wingspan, came crashing down to earth at the Royal Air Force station in Benson, Oxfordshire. Caught by an unexpected gust of wind, the plane's short-lived adventure concluded after just 44 seconds and a creditable 500 yards of flight. For its pilot, Flight Lieutenant John Potter, however, it had been an exhilarating experience. Energized by his vigorous pedaling efforts, he managed to keep the aircraft airborne until fate intervened. Stepping out unscathed from a tangle of broken balau wood and plastic foil upon landing, Potter remained undeterred. All is not lost for this ambitious project though. Built with assistance from R. A. F apprentices, Jupiter will be ready to take flight again in a couple of weeks' time. With their sights firmly set on winning the £10,000 prize offered for completing a 1,760-yard figure-of-eight course flight challenge; they remain determined to conquer new heights. This image freezes that pivotal moment when dreams collided with reality - reminding us that even in failure lies resilience and determination.
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