What's this aircraft?
Thread Starter
What's this aircraft?
Following the recent demise of my uncle we’ve been gradually clearing his house and possessions. My cousin has just sent me the attached, which seems to have been included in a family photograph album. I’m reliably informed that the gent in the natty hat next to the bicycle in left foreground is my great-grandfather.
I can’t for the life of me identify the aircraft. Any assistance would be most welcome.
I can’t for the life of me identify the aircraft. Any assistance would be most welcome.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,643
Received 300 Likes
on
168 Posts
The lower wing mounting is similar to the Bristol Fighter, wonder if there is a relationship there?
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,643
Received 300 Likes
on
168 Posts
Think you have got it there! 
Thread Starter
Yes, that looks very like it. There's a write-up on Wiki together with a picture that looks more or less identical. I'd never heard of an Anzani 10-cylinder two-row radial; must have sounded rather interesting.
Many thanks to those who replied.
Many thanks to those who replied.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Nottingham UK
Age: 85
Posts: 5,575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Following the recent demise of my uncle we’ve been gradually clearing his house and possessions. My cousin has just sent me the attached, which seems to have been included in a family photograph album. I’m reliably informed that the gent in the natty hat next to the bicycle in left foreground is my great-grandfather.
I can’t for the life of me identify the aircraft. Any assistance would be most welcome.
I can’t for the life of me identify the aircraft. Any assistance would be most welcome.
War at Home: William Ding's life and death as a test pilot - BBC News
The main photographs show William Rowland Ding in his HP G at the carnival and later the crashed aircraft at Northallerton which he survived. Sadly he was killed in a flying accident, at Oakwood Leeds, on 12 May 1917 when during a series of loops the wing of his BE2c came off.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,643
Received 300 Likes
on
168 Posts
His appetite for flying saw him rapidly clock up 35,000 hours in the cockpit.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Nottingham UK
Age: 85
Posts: 5,575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agreed, however in this article it states
William Rowland Ding | Love Oakwood
Despite a late start, only taking up professional flying in April 1914, he logged up 35,000 miles in the three months up to the outbreak of war.
Last edited by MReyn24050; 27th Jul 2017 at 17:18. Reason: to highlight "miles"
Thread Starter
>I wonder if your photograph was taken at the Northallerton Carnival in July 1914.<
That's an interesting thought. My great-grandfather lived in a small town called Bedworth, about half-way between Nuneaton and Coventry. I'd be surprised if the picture showed him as far away as Northallerton but will ask my cousin -- who's the de facto family archivist -- whether she knows anything about any relatives in that part of the world.
Thanks to those who came up with references to the Anzani engine. It was intriguing to read that the very first Cessna was powered by one.
That's an interesting thought. My great-grandfather lived in a small town called Bedworth, about half-way between Nuneaton and Coventry. I'd be surprised if the picture showed him as far away as Northallerton but will ask my cousin -- who's the de facto family archivist -- whether she knows anything about any relatives in that part of the world.
Thanks to those who came up with references to the Anzani engine. It was intriguing to read that the very first Cessna was powered by one.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
he logged up 35,000 miles in the three months up to the outbreak of war.
