The Besler Steam Powered Airplane (1933)

http://www.flixxy.com/besler-steam-airplane.htm

Thats amazing I never knew such a thing was possible. The first powered flight was actually steam driven made by a chap called Stringfellow who lived very close to me in Chard Somerset, it was just a model but was the first powered flight. I also heard of a beast of an aircraft than ran on rails and managed to get a couple of feet off the ground but the aircraft in the video is quite incredible.
I would if they made any more it seems to work really well thanks for posting.

Thanks for the link, Steve.
It’s also worth clicking on the link below the video – very interesting!
Be interesting to know why the project wasn’t taken up commercially.

Regards, Dave

Thanks for posting Steve – fascinating. Something I shall be interested to find out more about and I also wonder why the project didn’t continue.

Also wonder if the power unit survives? Research needed methinks 🙂

Roger Smith.

One of their engines is in the Smithsonian collection, it may not be the flier though

http://www.nurflugel.com/Nurflugel/NASM/18_Bessler_Steam_Engine_and_Al_R.jpg

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And just think of that lovely oily steam smell!

For another film try this one on British Pathe:

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=3603

Rod

I cannot belive it didnt catch on it seems to have so many advantages over the petrol engine, not least cheap fuel and very quiet. Imagine the engine they could make these days with all the advances in materials.

Hi guys.

Didn’t I see film of this aeroplane on the TV a few months ago?

One of those series with Captain Slow or Clarkson (in sensible mode) or maybe one of the channel 5 series.

Rod

Thats amazing I never knew such a thing was possible. The first powered flight was actually steam driven made by a chap called Stringfellow who lived very close to me in Chard Somerset, it was just a model but was the first powered flight. I also heard of a beast of an aircraft than ran on rails and managed to get a couple of feet off the ground but the aircraft in the video is quite incredible.
I would if they made any more it seems to work really well thanks for posting.

Graham
I believe the man in question was John Stringfellow, born in Sheffield, but built the aircraft at his? factory in Chard.
I remember a few years ago Adam Hart -Davis made a programme in which a replica of the model was flown- sadly this one didn’t use steam.

P.s did you get the PM I sent the other day?