Discovered in an old file: 1910 microlight?

[thys bas]

I do not know if the text on this old photograph is correct, but have a look at this!

[kloot piloot]

Very interesting Thys, thanks for sharing.

Weren't all planes from that era actually microlights ? "Lap en pyp" ? The 1970's and 80's Quicksilvers, Springbok, Mac CDL, Shadow designs were actually all based on the aerodynamics and consepts of their brethren from the early 1900's.

Wonder what motor they used back then ...

[John.com]

I do not know if the text on this old photograph is correct, but have a look at this!

1910 . . . microlight?

No, no, this was THE aircraft of the day!

[Bundy]

What always amazes me about these old aircraft is that the "Basics" have not changed much in over 100 years. The massive changes were really to come from the developments in materials and powerplants over the decades.

The undercarriages of these graceful old birds always seem to scare the crap outta me!.... Toothpicks and marie biscuits!!

Thanks for sharing.

[Neophron]

Found this at the Winterton Museum. The quality is not very good...

[lamercyfly]

Actually Bundy, weight shift flexwings are the most modern design concept in aviation.

You are correct in that power and technology has improved the basic design of the fixed wing aircraft, BUT, flexwings are the most modern invention.

I read a few years back in the New Scientist, that flexwing was being incorporated (and at that time had already been testflown), into fighter jets of the USA Navy fleet.

I don't recall exactly what they were incorporating, but I do recall that the camber section of the wing could be changed in flight, continually as requried..

..ja boet, and now Air Creation have taken it one step further with their 'Corset' wing.. check out their website. Now that is the LATEST in flex wing!!

[kloot piloot]

Actually Bundy, weight shift flexwings are the most modern design concept in aviation.

Not quite Paul,

DaVinci in the 1480's (although only concepts), George Cayley 1790 - 1840's, Lilienthal and Lavezzari ?

NASA only patented the concepts and improved it with better materials.

[kloot piloot]

Lilienthal in 1895

[kloot piloot]

Cayley 1840's with halve weightshift (pilot shifts forward and backwards in the gondola for pitch) and direction was a "small" control surface
Quantum Peggasus probably got their vertical stab idea from this dude ...