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Old 24th Dec 2020, 22:57
  #1964 (permalink)  
India Four Two
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Manchester MAN
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Slb has got it. A very early example of a streamlined biplane, built in 1920. A surprisingly high wing-loading of 14.9 lb/sq.ft., compared with its contemporaries - Sopwith Snipe 7.5 lb/sq.ft., Nieuport Nighthawk 8 lb/sq.ft., Curtiss Hawk 11.8 lb/sq.ft., Boeing PW-9 12 lb/sq.ft.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verville_VCP

The picture at Etampes was taken during the September 1920 Gordon Bennett* race, where it didn't finish due to overheating problems. Two months later, back across the Atlantic, it won the first Pulitzer Trophy Race at Mitchel Field, Long Island in November 1920, with an average speed of 178 mph over a 320 mile course, finishing 2.5 minutes ahead of the second place finisher - a Thomas Morse Scout.

The VCP came to an unfortunate end in a collision with an automobile, which is probably why no more was heard about it:



https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/mitchel-field/

* If you think the Schneider Cup is ugly, you should see the Gordon Bennett Cup :






Slb has control.

Last edited by India Four Two; 25th Dec 2020 at 00:51.
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