HUMPHREYS monoplane. No.3

   A report in February described the naming ceremony of a 'new machine' by the Hon. Mrs. Assheton-Harbord, who christened it 'Mary' in honor of the new Queen on 4 February 1911 at Brooklands. Although described as new, the machine may well have been a reconstruction of its predecessor.
   This machine was totally different from No.2 but still retained the triangular section fuselage and Green engine mounted on the top longerons. The undercarriage was of Antoinette type with a central sprung strut. Long tapered fins and small triangular rudders were fitted above and below the fuselage and a skid supported the tail. The wings had curved leading edges but little sweep-back to the trailing edges; they were braced by kingposts and had little anhedral.
   In May and June, Humphreys was reported to be taking lessons at the Hanriot School. The monoplane, described in Flight as of 'Bleriot type', was not reported out until 30 August 1911, when Humphreys took off, but overcorrected at 10ft from the ground and the aircraft was severely damaged in the ensuing crash.
   A major repair took place and subsequently Gordon Bell tested the machine on 12 December 1911 when it was reported to lift rapidly at half throttle, indicating tail heaviness. To correct the balance, flights were made with one and two passengers. By now the undercarriage was replaced by a Farman type structure with 'A' frames and two pairs of wheels and skids. Large diagonal radiators were attached to each side on the undercarriage struts and a larger elevator was fitted. The rear fuselage was now uncovered.
   On 16 January 1912 Humphreys' mechanic was seriously hurt in a propeller swinging accident. Dual ignition was fitted and one switch must have remained on. Straight flights were made on the 20-21 January 1912, by a pilot named Hunter, who again flew the machine to test a new Regy propeller fitted to the 60hp Green. On 12 May 1912, after taxiing towards the sheds, Humphreys carelessly crashed into the Hewlett & Blondeau school machine, wrecking it completely.
   The No.3 monoplane seems to have been built at Wivenhoe and the photograph of the original version was taken inside a shed at Forrest's Boatyard.