Hi all
I have a somewhat obscure question.
Reading the Allen Wheeler book on the aircraft of the film ‘Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines’ (thanks Robbo) I noticed he mentioned a further book by Peter Lewis entitled ‘British Aircraft 1809-1914’. This was one of the references they used to choose which aircraft were to be reconstructed for the film and the Billing biplane was chosen from this book.
I have this book lurking on the shelves and had a good look through myself yesterday, something I hadn’t done for a while.
Its pages are populated with some of the strangest machines I think were ever built.
One of these is the Frost Ornithopter.
I quote from the book which bear in mind was written and published in 1962.
“Two of E.P. Frost’s ornithopters are among the earliest flapping-wing machines to survive until the present day. The larger, weighing 650lb. and intended to lift a man, was powered by a steam engine and is preserved by the Shuttleworth Trust. It was made in 1900, and the wings were constructed of cane and silk, with hundreds of natural feathers attached to form a close replica of a bird’s wings.”
The book goes on to describe a further machine with a petrol engine, which is preserved in the Science Museum.
There’s also an illustration of that machine.
My questions are,
Do either of these weird machines still exist and if so where?
I haven’t been to the Science Museum for years but I know a few of you have recently.
Does the Shuttleworth Trust still own the steam-powered model??
I can’t say anything like that seems to be on show there and if it is still there are we likely to see Airbedane with it strapped to his back one Saturday night soon??
It’d certainly be worth getting my steam powered camera out to see a steam powered ornithopter.
Thoughts anyone??
All the best
Andy 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
By: Andy in Beds - 15th June 2004 at 17:12
Frost Steam Powered Ornithopter..
Hi James
Well since I wrote the above this morning I’ve done a bit of Googling and according to the BAPC Aero-Engine register Dated May 2003, The Shuttleworth collection have listed an AHR Becker 1-cylinder steam engine. Taken it seems from a Frost Ornithopter.
Also the Science Museum website lists item no 125-407 as a Frost Ornithopter. It goes on to say that only the left wing is on display at South Ken as the whole exhibit is too weak to display complete. Being covered in feathers I imagine age is a factor here.
I assume that the Shuttleworth example may have succumbed to age also, apart from the steam engine that is.
All the best
Andy
By: JDK - 15th June 2004 at 16:50
Not at Old Warden Andy, though I do like the idea. Also, not at South Ken either IIRC. That kind of think is a cert for Wroughton (the Science Museum’s ‘outstation’) – perhaps an e-mail to them.
We clearly need more steam powered aircraft. Otherwise, how do we make the tea? (I’m not entirely joking. Look up ‘Windermere steam kettle’)
Cheers
2 sugars please
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June 15, 2004 at 10:31 am