Engineering:Spencer-Stirling biplane
| Spencer-Stirling biplane | |
|---|---|
| Role | Pusher Biplane |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Herbert Spencer |
| First flight | 9 November 1910 |
| Primary user | Royal Naval Air Service |
| Number built | 1 |
The Spencer-Stirling biplane was a 1910s United Kingdom pusher configuration biplane designed and built by Herbert Spencer. It was sometimes referred to as a Spencer-Farman in reference to the design similarity to Henry Farman's designs.[lower-alpha 1]
Mainly based at Brooklands Aerodrome it was also flown around the country by Spencer on demonstration and training flights.[1][2]
Initially powered by an RH 4-cylinder in-line engine rated at 40–70 hp (30–52 kW), the Spencer-Stirling biplane was re-engined in July 1911 with a 50 hp (37 kW) Gnome Gamma rotary engine.[3][2] On 29 August 1911 Spencer obtained his Aviator's Certificate at Brooklands flying the biplane he built.[4][2]
Operational history
After initial straight hops, the Spencer-Stirling was successfully tested by Henri Pecquet in June 1911 shortly before the Gnome engine was fitted. After passing his aviators certificate, Spencer used the Spencer-Stirling for competition and demonstration flights until the aircraft crashed on 25 February 1912.[2]
References
- ↑ "Mr. Spencer in Dorset". Flight: 760. 17 August 1912. https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1912/1912%20-%200760.html. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Goodall, Michael H.; Tagg, Albert E. (2001). British aircraft before the great war. Atglen: Schiffer Pub.. p. 306. ISBN 9780764312076. https://archive.org/details/britishaeroplane00good.
- ↑ "From the British Flying Grounds - Brooklands Aerodrome". Flight: 681. 5 August 1911. "Henri Pequet was up on Mr. Spencer's biplane, which has Just been fitted with a new Gnome engine, making a good ten minutes' flight at 1,500 ft., after which he took up Mr. Spencer as passenger.".
- ↑ "Aviator's Certificates". Flight: 754. 2 September 1911. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1911/1911%20-%200754.html. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
Further reading
- Lewis, Peter (1962). British Aircraft 1809-1914. London: Putnam. p. 493.
Notes
- ↑ Farman wrote a letter in Flight on 28 October 1911 disclaiming this and other aircraft as products of the Farman company
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