A Leith aeroplane

Category

Library Item

Item no

38133

Title

A Leith aeroplane

Artist / maker

Fairbairn, William

Date

1909

Size

7.9 x 11.7 cm

Type

Reproduction

Henri Farman built the first practical flying machine and tested it at Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, between November 1907 and January 1908. In America the Wright brothers managed to satisfy the U.S. Government that they had a practical flying machine during tests from July 27th to 30th 1909, but by then John Gibson had already tested numerous prototypes on Leith Links.

On 9th October 1909 the Leith Observer reported on Gibson's 19th model as follows:

'Mr John Gibson, Caledonian Cycle Works, Leith Walk, has made a model aeroplane of one-fourth of the real size. It is on view in his motor garage in Manderston Street.

The aeroplane stands on three wheels. The flying man sits in the centre of the plane, the great "wings" terminating in square "ailerons" on his right and left. At his feet is the 6-cylinder engine; at his right and at his left hand a lever. Attached to the frame of the plane, and only a few feet from his opened-out arms, are two propellers. Belts or ropes from the one engine shaft (one belt being a crossbelt) cause the two propellers to revolve, as desired, at the rate of 1000 revolutions per minute.

The aviator with his foot raises or depresses the elevator, the slightly bent horizontal bit of sail in front of him, over which is the broad, pear-shaped keel. Behind him is the framework of a few feet, ending in the double rudder, by which the course is changed. The whole machine looks like a huge cross, of which the "upright" is short and the transverse beams (the wings) long, in front the elevator and keel, behind, the rudders, both of which work in unison. A petrol tank is fixed a few feet above the head of the aviator.

The present is Mr Gibson's nineteenth flying machine, and he confesses to having had his disappointments with some of his earlier efforts. The machine is well worthy of inspection.'

John Gibson finally opted for the Farman biplane, which a few months later he was advertising for sale.

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Related subjects

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Air > Aeroplanes

Transport > Air > Biplanes