27 July 1913

Harry G. Hawker made a world's record for height with three passengers on Sunday, July 27th, 1913, on the 80 h.p. Gnome-engined Sopwith Tractor biplane. Shortly after 5 o'clock, when the wind had dropped somewhat, he decided to attempt to break the world's record for altitude with three passengers. His passengers were all at least average weight. A few minutes past six the record-making flight began, and soon Harry was out of sight, forcing his way upwards through clouds at 3,000 feet. At 8,400 feet, having made a world's record, and being ignorant of his whereabouts, he decided to come down, although the machine could have climbed another 2,000 feet with comparative ease.