Victor Mahl (28 October 1889 – 2 April 1915) was an early English aviator and Chief Mechanic of the Sopwith Aviation Company.
Victor Mahl | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1889-10-28)28 October 1889 Twickenham, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 2 April 1915(1915-04-02) (aged 25) Southampton, Hampshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Aviator and Engineer |
| Known for | Chief Engineer for Sopwith Aviation Company |
Mahl was born in Twickenham in Middlesex, England on 28 October 1889. By 1911 he was a motor engineer and he became the Chief Engineer to the Sopwith Aviation Company.[1] Mahl married Winifred Day in 1912 in Wolverhampton. He worked as Howard Pixton's engineer when he won the 1914 Schneider Trophy.[1]
On 14 May 1914 Mahl obtained his aviators licence flying a Sopwith Biplane at Brooklands.[1] Mahl test flew Sopwith aircraft and on 1 November 1914 he crashed into Southampton Water flying a Sopwith seaplane. The passenger and designer of the aircraft R. Austen was killed but Mahl was rescued from water clinging to one of the upturned floats.[2]
On 2 April 1915 while he was at Southampton testing seaplanes he died after an operation for appendicitis.[3]