There is information about the Metzgar-Leno Monoplane on the internet and in “Flight” magazine. It was built in Clapham and tested in Shoreham in 1911/12. But who were Metzgar and Leno? Allegedly the Metzgar were two brothers (possibly A & E?) and Leno is possibly H D? Checking on ancestry – particularly the 1911 census – yields no easy answers. The closest I can get is Charles Edward Metzgar, a motor mechanic, and his brother, Spence Churchill Metzgar, a draughtsman. That gives an appropriate skill set, and a possible “E” – but not the “A”. And no luck at all with Leno.
Is there anyone out there with additional knowledge, please? Thank you very much.
By: Arabella-Cox - 2nd July 2015 at 17:04
Andrew,
According to British Aircraft 1809 – 1914 by Peter Lewis they also constructed the engine for the aircraft, so your suggestion that it was Charles Edward Metzgar looks likely to be correct.
There is an image of the aircraft here
By: andrewd - 2nd July 2015 at 15:15
Aha! Dan Leno was George Wild Galvin. Among his family, he had Herbert Dan Galvin, born 1893. H D! Herbert Dan Galvin is in the 1911 census under that name. And he’s an Aeronautical Engineer. So, that solves the Leno part. Only the Metzgar part to go now. Thanks to Lazy8 for unlocking the puzzle.
By: andrewd - 2nd July 2015 at 15:01
Good suggestion – thank you. John Leno was the son of Dan Leno (not his real name), the well-known music-hall comedian. John Leno could have lent his support (and finance?) to the Monoplane project? Please keep the ideas coming!
By: Lazy8 - 2nd July 2015 at 14:17
In this document:
http://f1-archive.narod.ru/books/Brooklands.pdf
a fellow called John Leno is recorded racing Peugeot cars at Brooklands in 1912. Might be your man…
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July 2, 2015 at 1:49 pm