The Wright brothers just glided in 1903. They flew in 1908.
Pearse achieved a powered, though poorly controlled, flight
Of course not , but that doesn't invalidate their efforts in playing their part in helping aviation along it's way.
The Richard Pearse aircraft did not have (afaik) an aerofoil wing
Dunno LR , looking at that wing section on the patent diagram it looks like it could have been quite good for Mach 2+.
could be sir
The ailerons (small wings) added by Robert Esnault Pelterie in 1904, when he performed various tests with modified 1902 Wright type gliders, were not air-brakes
The case of Richard Pearse is by far the weakest of all cases about which we discussed here. I do not find any document, article in a newspaper, application for a patent, etc., regarding Pearse's planes, that can be dated before July 1906.
His best early flight (I posted this earlier but it was ignored) was on the 11th of May 1903. He took off on level ground with the aeroplane under its own power, turned left then flew out of ground effect over the bed of the Opihi River, flew over the head of a local by the name of Arthur Tozer, then perhaps a slight right turn to follow the river bed (it was mostly dry) and landed between 900 to 1,000 metres later.
Vastly better and in more control of any of the first Wright flights later that year.
The trouble is - Pearse never claimed to be the first - neither did the wrights !
The wrights just patented their aircraft/control system.
The wrights just patented their aircraft/control system.
Pearse, the would-be aviator, wrote two letters to local newspapers, in 1915
and 1928. He described what happened when he attempted to fly his plane: “At the trials it would start to rise off the ground when a speed of twenty
miles an hour was attained. This speed was not sufficient to work the rudders,
so, on account of its huge size and low speed, it was uncontrollable, and would
spin round broadside directly after it left the ground. So I never flew with
my first experimental plane, but no-one else did with their first for that matter”.
In the 1915 letter, Pearse wrote: “The honor of inventing the aeroplane cannot be assigned wholly to one man; like most other inventions, it is the product of many minds. After all, there is nothing that succeeds like success, and for this reason pre-eminence will undoubtedly be given to the Wright brothers, of America, when the history of the aeroplane is written, as they were actually the first to make successful flights with a motor-driven aeroplane.”
In the 1915 letter, Pearse wrote: “The honor of inventing the aeroplane cannot be assigned wholly to one man; like most other inventions, it is the product of many minds. After all, there is nothing that succeeds like success, and for this reason pre-eminence will undoubtedly be given to the Wright brothers, of America, when the history of the aeroplane is written, as they were actually the first to make successful flights with a motor-driven aeroplane.”
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"Mr H. J. Pither, of Invercargill, who has recently made a successful aeroplane flight —the first in New Zealand", Timaru Herald, 16 August 1910
I have found that a certain H. J. Pither made the first flight in New Zealand.
1) "The Southland News, referring to the first aeroplane flight made in New Zealand, says:—Mr Pither's machine does not require rails to start upon, and as soon as he had gained sufficient momentum he applied the elevator, and before he knew where he was he found himself gracefully
rising at a greatly accelerated speed. It being a well-known fact that aeroplanes move nearly twice as fast in the air as when driven on terra firma, it took him a few seconds to accustom himself to the novel experience of actually flying through the air. The engine went perfectly, and the planes (or wings) were accomplishing their part of the business famously. The height was from 25 to 30ft, and Mr Pither felt that he could keep going all day. After a flight of nearly a mile, however, the contour of the vicinity brought about his undoing.
On his left was the surf and breakers of the sea, and on his right were innumerable sand hillocks and lagoons, while the stretch of beach had
a width of only about 150 yards. It can readily be understood, therefore, that a deviation either way would result in trouble. If he got to the left he would be above the sea, and a stoppage of his engine would result in his "finish," while if he came down amongst the uneven sandhills he would have perhaps a day's delay in having the machine dragged back to the beach; consequently, when he found himself driven by a head wind until he was at a tangent with the sandhills, he shut off the engine and alighted successfully. The momentum of the monoplane was sufficient to make the drop a graceful one, and the shock on landing was successfully taken by the springs specially provided. Mr Pither thus had the satisfaction of being the first New Zealander to succeed in making an actual flight."
Source: Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10504, 12 July 1910, Page 3 Papers Past ? Oamaru Mail ? 12 July 1910 ? Untitled
2) "Mr H. J. Pither, of Invercargill, who has recently made a successful aeroplane flight —the first in New Zealand— arrived in Timaru yesterday, and intends giving an exhibition with his machine in Timaru on Saturday next, in a place to be advertised later. His machine, constructed by himself, is of the monoplane type, made in steel, spans 28 feet, length 25 feet, propeller 6 1/2 feet diameter, engine 40-h.p. weight 480 pounds. The Bleriot machine which crossed the channel weighed 605 pounds."
Source: Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14275, 16 August 1910, Page 5, Papers Past ? Timaru Herald ? 16 August 1910 ? Untitled
I have found that a certain H. J. Pither made the first flight in New Zealand.
1) "The Southland News, referring to the first aeroplane flight made in New Zealand, says:—Mr Pither's machine does not require rails to start upon, and as soon as he had gained sufficient momentum he applied the elevator, and before he knew where he was he found himself gracefully
rising at a greatly accelerated speed. It being a well-known fact that aeroplanes move nearly twice as fast in the air as when driven on terra firma, it took him a few seconds to accustom himself to the novel experience of actually flying through the air. The engine went perfectly, and the planes (or wings) were accomplishing their part of the business famously. The height was from 25 to 30ft, and Mr Pither felt that he could keep going all day. After a flight of nearly a mile, however, the contour of the vicinity brought about his undoing.
On his left was the surf and breakers of the sea, and on his right were innumerable sand hillocks and lagoons, while the stretch of beach had
a width of only about 150 yards. It can readily be understood, therefore, that a deviation either way would result in trouble. If he got to the left he would be above the sea, and a stoppage of his engine would result in his "finish," while if he came down amongst the uneven sandhills he would have perhaps a day's delay in having the machine dragged back to the beach; consequently, when he found himself driven by a head wind until he was at a tangent with the sandhills, he shut off the engine and alighted successfully. The momentum of the monoplane was sufficient to make the drop a graceful one, and the shock on landing was successfully taken by the springs specially provided. Mr Pither thus had the satisfaction of being the first New Zealander to succeed in making an actual flight."
Source: Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10504, 12 July 1910, Page 3 Papers Past ? Oamaru Mail ? 12 July 1910 ? Untitled
2) "Mr H. J. Pither, of Invercargill, who has recently made a successful aeroplane flight —the first in New Zealand— arrived in Timaru yesterday, and intends giving an exhibition with his machine in Timaru on Saturday next, in a place to be advertised later. His machine, constructed by himself, is of the monoplane type, made in steel, spans 28 feet, length 25 feet, propeller 6 1/2 feet diameter, engine 40-h.p. weight 480 pounds. The Bleriot machine which crossed the channel weighed 605 pounds."
Source: Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14275, 16 August 1910, Page 5, Papers Past ? Timaru Herald ? 16 August 1910 ? Untitled
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As of Nov. 2, 1909, Richard Pearse had not performed any flight
1) "Mr Richard Pearse, son of Mr Diggory Pearse, the well-known farmer, of Waitohi, expects to make the trial flight of his monoplane in a very few days now. He has been working on the airship for a long time, and is confident that he has got over many difficulties. The frame is of bamboo, the wings of strong calico, and the motor is of 24 horse-power. The trial flight will be made from a paddock which is in young wheat, but the direction is not as yet been determined upon."
Source: Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14046, 2 November 1909, Page 5, see: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi...itohi+flight--
2) "A young South Canterbury farmer, who has for some years past been working in secret in an endeavour to perfect a flying machine, considers that he has now nearly reached the goal at which he is aiming. He intends to make a trial flight with his airship at an early date. The framework of the ship is of bamboo, the wings all of calico, and the propelling power is a 24-h.p. motor. The inventor is Mr Richard Pearse, of Waitohi."
Source:
- Press, Volume V, Issue 13570, 3 November 1909, Page 6, see: Papers Past ? Press ? 3 November 1909 ? NEWS OF THE DAY.
- Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12691, 9 November 1909, Page 2, see: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi...itohi+flight--
- Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9067, 10 November 1909, Page 4, see: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi...itohi+flight--
1) "Mr Richard Pearse, son of Mr Diggory Pearse, the well-known farmer, of Waitohi, expects to make the trial flight of his monoplane in a very few days now. He has been working on the airship for a long time, and is confident that he has got over many difficulties. The frame is of bamboo, the wings of strong calico, and the motor is of 24 horse-power. The trial flight will be made from a paddock which is in young wheat, but the direction is not as yet been determined upon."
Source: Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14046, 2 November 1909, Page 5, see: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi...itohi+flight--
2) "A young South Canterbury farmer, who has for some years past been working in secret in an endeavour to perfect a flying machine, considers that he has now nearly reached the goal at which he is aiming. He intends to make a trial flight with his airship at an early date. The framework of the ship is of bamboo, the wings all of calico, and the propelling power is a 24-h.p. motor. The inventor is Mr Richard Pearse, of Waitohi."
Source:
- Press, Volume V, Issue 13570, 3 November 1909, Page 6, see: Papers Past ? Press ? 3 November 1909 ? NEWS OF THE DAY.
- Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12691, 9 November 1909, Page 2, see: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi...itohi+flight--
- Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9067, 10 November 1909, Page 4, see: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi...itohi+flight--
Last edited by simplex1; 9th Jun 2014 at 23:51.
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@Noyade
NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY citing that early work by prize clown and d1ckhead, Sir (gawdhelpus) Peter Jackson. I saw it the first time it was on TV, and it had me fooled for about half its length--he is very good at special effects, but unfortunately cr@p at anything else, including respect for reality, other people, or narrative.
NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY citing that early work by prize clown and d1ckhead, Sir (gawdhelpus) Peter Jackson. I saw it the first time it was on TV, and it had me fooled for about half its length--he is very good at special effects, but unfortunately cr@p at anything else, including respect for reality, other people, or narrative.
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A late joiner to the thread, but surprised to read that so few of you are only just coming to the realization that the Wright Brothers were indeed not the first to sustain powered flight. I thought all, bar those from USA, knew that.
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clive
dadelus flew first
but the wright's figured out how to control a plane. call it what you like, but if you fly an aeroplane/plane/airplane you owe the wrights.
this is one of the saddest threads I've seen on pprune.
dadelus flew first
but the wright's figured out how to control a plane. call it what you like, but if you fly an aeroplane/plane/airplane you owe the wrights.
this is one of the saddest threads I've seen on pprune.
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john hill
yes, no one was coordinating rudder and roll (either wing warping or aileron) to overcome warp drag/adverse aileron yaw.
the wrights had figured it out with the 1902 glider and had applied for the patent even prior to powered flight in december of 1903.
yes, no one was coordinating rudder and roll (either wing warping or aileron) to overcome warp drag/adverse aileron yaw.
the wrights had figured it out with the 1902 glider and had applied for the patent even prior to powered flight in december of 1903.
As of Nov. 2, 1909, Richard Pearse had not performed any flight
That article is probably of his 2nd or 3rd machines which came a few years later.
A late joiner to the thread, but surprised to read that so few of you are only just coming to the realization that the Wright Brothers were indeed not the first to sustain powered flight. I thought all, bar those from USA, knew that.
I have not realised anything new about the Wrights on this thread -
But I have learned about how little some people know about aerodynamics and the thread starters 'tendancy' to misquote/cherry pick in any attempt to discredit the Wrights - he has thus far not told us why it is so important to him or what nationality he is (or of which national descent he is).
Conspiracy theories are very attractive to some people !!!
... apart from several in 1903, with the longest being ~900 metres as mentioned before.
That article is probably of his 2nd or 3rd machines which came a few years later.
That article is probably of his 2nd or 3rd machines which came a few years later.
And I repeat again that the Wrights did not claim to be the first to fly !
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Let me sort this out then.... Pearse did not claim to fly in 1903 therefore did not and the Wrights did not claim to be to the first to fly which really proves they were?
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Just to be clear, I think that the idea of "first" is a bit arbitrary in cases like this, BUT:
I see the claim that a real originality on the part of the Wrights was to get three-axis control successfully implemented. There are people here who know a lot more than I do, and I'd be interested in their comments.
I see the claim that a real originality on the part of the Wrights was to get three-axis control successfully implemented. There are people here who know a lot more than I do, and I'd be interested in their comments.
Except for the fact that R Pearse did not claim to have flown in 1903 at all,ISTR that originally he claimed to have flown in 1904 but revisionists have changed that date to 1903 - it sort of weakens your case when Pearse himself did not claim it !
He made (from memory) four flights in 1903.
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I think the best opinion I have read on this thread are the words of Pearse himself, quoted by longer ron:
In the 1915 letter, Pearse wrote: “The honor of inventing the aeroplane cannot be assigned wholly to one man; like most other inventions, it is the product of many minds.
In the 1915 letter, Pearse wrote: “The honor of inventing the aeroplane cannot be assigned wholly to one man; like most other inventions, it is the product of many minds.