Dundee is one of the smartest cities in the world, there can be no denying this, our inventions as well as pioneering marvels are extraordinary, from statistical graphs to the electric lightbulb.
Preston Watson is one example of a Dundonian who was a pioneering marvel. He accomplished remarkable feats during his short life.
Preston Watson was born and raised in Dundee in 1880. His family was quite prominent in the area, with his grandfather, James Yeaman, having served as the Lord Provost of Dundee and later as a Liberal MP for the city. Preston attended the High School of Dundee, where he excelled in athletics, but his true passion lay not on the track but in the skies.
Preston's interest in mechanics blossomed at an early age. By 1898, at just 18 years old, he believed he had analysed the principles of bird flight successfully. This fascination led him to study physics and dynamics at University College Dundee.
By 1901, Preston had immersed himself in the study of aerodynamics and was determined to build and modify aeroplanes. Between 1903 and 1913, he designed and constructed three aircraft, all funded by his father for a total of £1,000. His work began in a shed on the East Leys Farm near Errol, courtesy of his friend Bob Melville.
Preston's approach to aircraft control was innovative. While the Wright brothers used wing-warping for maneuverability, Preston's second aeroplane featured an additional rocking wing above the main wing. This design allowed the pilot to correct deviations and control the plane's direction effectively. In December 1908, Preston patented this "rocking wing" method, receiving official recognition for his design in 1909.
With the outbreak of World War I, Preston volunteered for military service, joining the Royal Naval Air Service. Unfortunately, his aircraft was dismantled, deemed unsuitable for military use due to its experimental nature. While training with the Royal Naval Air Service, he tragically died in a plane crash between Eastchurch in Kent and Eastbourne in East Sussex. Preston was only 34 years old at the time of his death.
He was buried with full military honours at the Western Cemetery in Dundee, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and courage.
Watson vs. the Wright Brothers
Returning to one of the most intriguing aspects of Preston Watson's story is the claim that he may have flown before the Wright brothers. Some accounts suggest that Preston flew over Errol in July or August 1903, months before the Wright brothers' famous flight in December 1903.
However, this claim has been debated. Preston's brother, James, asserted that Preston flew in August 1903, a claim he made in a 1953 article for the Manchester Guardian.
Yet, Charles Gibbs-Smith, then director of the Victoria and Albert Museum London, dismissed these claims, citing a lack of reliable evidence that Preston flew in 1903.
What is more certain is that Preston built three aircraft in 1909, 1910, and 1913, with only the latter two achieving powered flight.
Grainy photographs from around 1914, published in the 15 May 1914 issue of Flight magazine, show one of his planes in flight.
A legacy that lives on in the skies
Despite the controversy, Preston Watson's contributions to aviation remain significant. He developed a novel flight control method still used in aircraft today, earning him a place among aviation pioneers like the Wright brothers, Alberto Santos-Dumont, and Louis Blériot.
Preston Watson, the Flying Scotsman, will always be remembered for his remarkable achievements.
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