Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines

Originally posted by Septic

The book mentioned by Melvyn Hiscock ‘Building Aeroplanes for ‘Those Magnificent Men’ by Air Commodore Allen Wheeler gives a great insight into the construction and operation of these Edwardian flyers.

Septic.

Thanks for that, saved me having to climb all the way up the stairs to the spare room to find it!

Lazy old phart aren’t I?

Melvyn

Originally posted by David Burke
I think the Demoiselle ended up in Australia – I think it featured in the May 1985 news pages of FlyPast

The Demoiselle replica is now with the Ballarat Aviation Museum in Victoria AUS.

I seem to remember that another Mag Men steel framed replica was on display at Brooklands when it first opened in the early 80’s. Was this just a static example?

The book mentioned by Melvyn Hiscock ‘Building Aeroplanes for ‘Those Magnificent Men’ by Air Commodore Allen Wheeler gives a great insight into the construction and operation of these Edwardian flyers.

Another book, worthy of mention is ‘Delta Papa’ by Derek Piggott. Derek flew many of the replicas for the production.

Septic.

I saw The Blackburn Monoplane in at least 3 different guises, none flying though.

I think the Demoiselle ended up in Australia – I think it featured in the May 1985 news pages of FlyPast

Re: Magnificent Men Aircraft.

Originally posted by Andy in Beds
Hi All
I think there were probably four replicas built for the film. I’ve watched it a thousand times and I think apart from the Bristol Boxkite and Avro Triplane there was a Demoiselle and the aircraft which was flown by James Fox which is called Antoinette.
A French design originally I think.

The book on the building and flying of the Aeroplanes for this film is pretty basic nut not a bad read. I got mine via a Cross and Cockade sale at Hendon.
As for the planes, there was also the Eardly Billing biplane that was used as both the German and the Japanese aeroplane in the film. That aeroplane is now in Germany.

I did once read that when the Demoiselle replica was built it wouldn’t fly and when further research was carried out it was discovered that Santos-Dumont was very slightly built and the replica was flown by a woman (I think the bulders wife) in the film.
Andy Jones 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

The Demoiselle was built by Doug Bianchi at White Waltham and he was too heavy to fly it. It had a Volkswagen engine. They then got Joan Hughes, the WW2 ferry pilot (and very nice lady) and she flew it for the film. They took it to Booker where the race track shots were done and the extra 500ft altitude was past its limit and so they had to put a bigger motor on it. About ten years ago I interviewed Joan Hughes, now sadly departed, and asked her if it was a bit flaky and she said “It was a little difficult to fly but it was such fun!”

I have no idea where that aeroplane is now, or where the Antionette is, but I am sure they will turn up.

Melvyn Hiscock

Magnificent Men Aircraft.

Hi All
I think there were probably four replicas built for the film. I’ve watched it a thousand times and I think apart from the Bristol Boxkite and Avro Triplane there was a Demoiselle and the aircraft which was flown by James Fox which is called Antoinette.
A French design originally I think.
I did once read that when the Demoiselle replica was built it wouldn’t fly and when further research was carried out it was discovered that Santos-Dumont was very slightly built and the replica was flown by a woman (I think the bulders wife) in the film.
There was a book published back in the dark ages describing all this but I’ve never seen it and would love a copy.
Any help on any of the above would be appreciated.
All the best
Andy Jones 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

No idea, myself – but I did enjoy the Lightning flypast!

Santos-Dumont Demoiselle

A giggle indeed, but what happened to…

The Bristol Boxkite and the Avro Triplane found loving homes at Old Warden. What became of the Santos-Dumont Demoiselle? I seem to remember it was a flyer, please correct me if I’m wrong.

K