Charles Gordon Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Gordon Bell
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|---|---|
| Birth name | Charles Gordon Bell |
| Born | 31 May 1889 |
| Died | 29 July 1918 (aged 29) Villacoubley |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Rank | Major (temporary) |
| Other work | flying instructor, test pilot |
Charles Gordon Bell (born May 31, 1889 – died July 29, 1918) was a very early and skilled British pilot. He was one of the first 100 people in the United Kingdom to get a pilot's license! During his short career, he became famous for being one of the best pilots around.
In World War I, he became a 'flying ace' by shooting down five enemy planes. Later, he taught others to fly and tested new aircraft. Sadly, he died in 1918 when an experimental plane he was testing crashed in France.
Becoming a Pilot
Charles Gordon Bell earned his Aviator's Certificate #100 in 1911. This certificate showed he was a qualified pilot. He learned to fly at the Brooklands flying school, just like many other early pilots.
After learning to fly, he moved to France. There, he worked for an aircraft company called R.E.P. While showing one of their planes in Turkey, he made history. He became the first person to fly across the Sea of Marmara.
A Skilled Aviator
Over the next few years, Gordon Bell became very well-known in the world of flying. People thought he was one of the most skilled pilots in the country. By 1914, he had flown over 60 different types of airplanes!
However, his reputation faced a challenge in 1913. His plane crashed at Brooklands while flying low. The accident was found to be entirely due to pilot error. Gordon Bell was badly hurt, but the passenger, a naval officer, did not survive.
Serving in World War I
When World War I began, Gordon Bell joined the Royal Flying Corps. This was the air force of the time. He flew in battles over the Western Front, which was a major battle area.
He became a "flying ace" by shooting down five enemy aircraft. He flew Bristol Scout planes with No. 10 Squadron RFC.
Later Work and Final Flight
At the end of 1915, Gordon Bell became ill and had to return to England. He was put in charge of a squadron at the Central Flying School. He even reached the temporary rank of Major.
In late 1917, he left the Army due to his health. He then joined a company called Vickers as a test pilot. This meant he flew new and experimental planes to see how they worked.
On July 29, 1918, he was flying an experimental plane called the Vickers F.B.16E. The plane crashed at Villacoublay Airfield in France, and he was killed. He was buried in France at the Cimetière des Gonards in Versailles.
Gordon Bell was the most successful pilot to fly the Bristol Scout. All five of his victories were achieved in that type of aircraft.
