Maurice in an accentuated French manner – Mor-reece’. ‘Just help me get this ship across the field to the hangar over there.’ He pointed at the hangar which James already knew was empty, next to where the Roe contingent worked.
‘ Hope they’ve given you some keys. The A. V. Roe people’ll be swarming all over this if you give them half a chance,’ James lifted his eyebrows.
Farthing dug into his pocket, producing a set of keys, ‘Courtesy of your army people. Strange, they were expecting me.’ He gave another laugh, ‘Mind you, it’s going to be a week before anyone’ll come over to take a look.’
James helped him start the engine. Swinging the propeller, he discovered the Farman had its drawbacks, for you had to stand within the framework of the two slim booms which made up the wide open fuselage, cocking your ear for the pilot ’s commands. The engine started on his first downward pull of the propeller, clattering into life, then soothed by Dick’s experienced hand on the throttle.
Ducking under the thin wood and canvas James gave his new friend the thumbs up. The engine blipped gently and the Farman taxied across the field, James running behind, head down, keeping out of the propeller wash.
The A. V. Roe people were friendly, though inquisitive about the new arrival, but Dick managed to keep them at a distance by pleading that he had not eaten for almost twenty-four hours. There was a professional briskness about him, offset by a disarmingly easy manner. He seemed to keep up a flow of conversation as James walked him to the main gate, and down to the Queen’s Hotel where he registered, insisting that James should stay and lunch with him.
However, it did not take James long to realize that, though Dick Farthing appeared to talk a great deal, his chatter gave nothing away. On the contrar y, he interspersed his conversation with quick, telling questions, so that by the time they reached the hotel, he had a good knowledge of James’ background and future prospects. ‘Your Pa’s a Member of Parliament?’ he exclaimed with what appeared to be some awe. ‘Now that could be a real help. Maurice figures your military people may want some of his new designs. Getting to know an MP would be a good start. Reckon I fell on my feet meeting you like this.’
Over lunch, James began to learn something about the American. Their family backgrounds were very similar – Army and Diplomatic Corps. ‘Yep, my old man’s one of the President’s foreign advisers; and I have an uncle, Bradley, in the Army; and another who’s a Senator. I reckon I’m the black sheep.’ When Farthing smiled the right corner of his mouth twisted upwards, half-closing the right eye, as though the smile brought with it a conspiratorial wink.
At twenty-seven, Richard was the eldest of five brothers. ‘Joseph’s just twenty; Michael’s about a year older than you, James. Then we have young Bradley, just turned fifteen, and Arnold, coming up twelve. We’ve a sister as well – Maud. Guess my folks squeezed her in between Bradley and Arnold.’
Dick had followed the military side of the family. A graduate of West Point, he was commissioned into the infantry. Then, like so many of his generation, he caught the flying bug. ‘Pa was scandalized, of course. Threatened to cut me off without a dime, but I used my natural charm,’ he grinned, to show the laugh was on him. ‘In time of war, or national emergency, back I go into the army – only I hope to hell they have some kind of air corps by then.’
James said it was his hope also. ‘The General Staff drag their heels. Nobody sees the potential.’
Dick shrugged, a gesture of agreement. ‘Well, your people do seem to be interested in Maurice’s designs. They certainly want to see how the Farman III performs. You want to give me a hand, or are you busy over the next few days?’
The invitation delighted James. ‘Hope you’ll let me take her up.’
‘ No problem. You got
‘ Hope they’ve given you some keys. The A. V. Roe people’ll be swarming all over this if you give them half a chance,’ James lifted his eyebrows.
Farthing dug into his pocket, producing a set of keys, ‘Courtesy of your army people. Strange, they were expecting me.’ He gave another laugh, ‘Mind you, it’s going to be a week before anyone’ll come over to take a look.’
James helped him start the engine. Swinging the propeller, he discovered the Farman had its drawbacks, for you had to stand within the framework of the two slim booms which made up the wide open fuselage, cocking your ear for the pilot ’s commands. The engine started on his first downward pull of the propeller, clattering into life, then soothed by Dick’s experienced hand on the throttle.
Ducking under the thin wood and canvas James gave his new friend the thumbs up. The engine blipped gently and the Farman taxied across the field, James running behind, head down, keeping out of the propeller wash.
The A. V. Roe people were friendly, though inquisitive about the new arrival, but Dick managed to keep them at a distance by pleading that he had not eaten for almost twenty-four hours. There was a professional briskness about him, offset by a disarmingly easy manner. He seemed to keep up a flow of conversation as James walked him to the main gate, and down to the Queen’s Hotel where he registered, insisting that James should stay and lunch with him.
However, it did not take James long to realize that, though Dick Farthing appeared to talk a great deal, his chatter gave nothing away. On the contrar y, he interspersed his conversation with quick, telling questions, so that by the time they reached the hotel, he had a good knowledge of James’ background and future prospects. ‘Your Pa’s a Member of Parliament?’ he exclaimed with what appeared to be some awe. ‘Now that could be a real help. Maurice figures your military people may want some of his new designs. Getting to know an MP would be a good start. Reckon I fell on my feet meeting you like this.’
Over lunch, James began to learn something about the American. Their family backgrounds were very similar – Army and Diplomatic Corps. ‘Yep, my old man’s one of the President’s foreign advisers; and I have an uncle, Bradley, in the Army; and another who’s a Senator. I reckon I’m the black sheep.’ When Farthing smiled the right corner of his mouth twisted upwards, half-closing the right eye, as though the smile brought with it a conspiratorial wink.
At twenty-seven, Richard was the eldest of five brothers. ‘Joseph’s just twenty; Michael’s about a year older than you, James. Then we have young Bradley, just turned fifteen, and Arnold, coming up twelve. We’ve a sister as well – Maud. Guess my folks squeezed her in between Bradley and Arnold.’
Dick had followed the military side of the family. A graduate of West Point, he was commissioned into the infantry. Then, like so many of his generation, he caught the flying bug. ‘Pa was scandalized, of course. Threatened to cut me off without a dime, but I used my natural charm,’ he grinned, to show the laugh was on him. ‘In time of war, or national emergency, back I go into the army – only I hope to hell they have some kind of air corps by then.’
James said it was his hope also. ‘The General Staff drag their heels. Nobody sees the potential.’
Dick shrugged, a gesture of agreement. ‘Well, your people do seem to be interested in Maurice’s designs. They certainly want to see how the Farman III performs. You want to give me a hand, or are you busy over the next few days?’
The invitation delighted James. ‘Hope you’ll let me take her up.’
‘ No problem. You got
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