Re: One Strange Craft

On May 4, 10:53�am, Orval Fairbairn <orfairba...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
In article <1178295028.074355.292...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
 Rob Arndt <teuton...@xxxxxxx> wrote:





http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v115/Begonia/oraornithop01.jpg

H.J.B. Passat claimed to have flown this type aircraft a distance of
20 yards at Wimbledon. It was later reported to have flown 450' on
Wimbledon Common until it hit a tree. It was designed so the wings
could be folded back and it could cruise like an automobile on the
ground.

This reproduction aircraft was built at White Waltham in England for
the 1965 film, "Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines." It
originally had a 16 hp Douglas motorcycle engine to power the rear
wheels and flap the rear wings. It was given to Cole Palen in return
for promoting the film in the United States. Cole transported several
of his own pioneer aircraft to thirteen major cities in the northeast
and had been promised an aircraft from the film in return for his hard
work. He was somewhat disappointed when the Ornithopter arrived at the
Aerodrome rather than the airworthy Bristol Boxkite or Avro Triplane!
Country: Great Britain
Year: 1910
(reproduction)
Engine: motorcycle engine
Horsepower: 4 HP
Quantity Mfg: 1
Wingspan: 24'-0"
(7.31 m)
Length: ?
Top Speed: N/A
Gross Weight: N/A

Rob

I don't see how it could maintain controlled flight, as there is no
provision for lateral stability nor control (vertical fin/rudder)!

It MIGHT get off the ground, but then attempt to swap ends.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

My thoughts exactly. I think he flew uncontrolled UNTIL he hit that
tree! I think that maybe the cylindrical shape and weight kept it in a
straight line for that distance but how would you back, dive, climb,
etc...???

Rob

p.s. Gotta admit that in 1910 it would have been great to annoy the
neighbors with that thing parked out front on your lawn!

.

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