Spencer-Stirling biplane

The Spencer-Stirling biplane was a 1910s British pusher configuration biplane designed and built by Herbert Spencer. It was sometimes referred to as a Spencer-Farman in reference to the design similarity to Henry Farman's designs.[lower-alpha 1]

Spencer-Stirling biplane
Role Pusher Biplane
National origin United Kingdom
Designer Herbert Spencer
First flight 9 November 1910
Primary user Royal Naval Air Service
Number built 1

Mainly based at Brooklands Aerodrome it was also flown around the country by Spencer on demonstration and training flights.[1][2]

Initially powered by an RH 4-cylinder in-line engine rated at 40–70 hp (30–52 kW), the Spencer-Stirling biplane was re-engined in July 1911 with a 50 hp (37 kW) Gnome Gamma rotary engine.[3][2] On 29 August 1911 Spencer obtained his Aviator's Certificate at Brooklands flying the biplane he built.[4][2]

Operational history

After initial straight hops, the Spencer-Stirling was successfully tested by Henri Pecquet in June 1911 shortly before the Gnome engine was fitted. After passing his aviators certificate, Spencer used the Spencer-Stirling for competition and demonstration flights until the aircraft was crashed on 25 February 1912.[2]

References
  1. "Mr. Spencer in Dorset". Flight. 17 August 1912. p. 760. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  2. Goodall, Michael H.; Tagg, Albert E. (2001). British aircraft before the great war. Atglen: Schiffer Pub. p. 306. ISBN 9780764312076.
  3. "From the British Flying Grounds - Brooklands Aerodrome". Flight. 5 August 1911. p. 681. Henri Pequet was up on Mr. Spencer's biplane, which has Just been fitted with a new Gnome engine, making a good ten minutes' flight at 1,500 ft., after which he took up Mr. Spencer as passenger.
  4. "Aviator's Certificates". Flight. 2 September 1911. p. 754. Retrieved 27 February 2017.

Further reading
  • Lewis, Peter (1962). British Aircraft 1809-1914. London: Putnam. p. 493.

Notes
  1. Farman wrote a letter in Flight on 28 October 1911 disclaiming this and other aircraft as products of the Farman company
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