16-11-2006, 11:01 PM
Jangar Wrote:Who designed and flew the first powered aircraft in S A?
Greetings all, I am back from the shocking rugby in Dublin (well that is if you were supporting the Boks that is) and I have a secondhand Bok jersey for sale
:mmm: I think the question is not clearly written?
As according to the link given above John Watson built the first plane in South Africa, but took it to France for an engine and that is where he flew it.
Quote:
John Weston, a civil engineer, began the construction of his own aeroplane in 1907 at Brandfort, in the Free State. He lacked an engine with enough power so he dismantled the aircraft and shipped it to France. It is possible that John Weston based his design on a Voisin. In France he fitted a Gnome rotary engine (50hp) and flew it successfully (in France) in 1910.
Yet when you asking who built and who flew the first plane both in South Africa then according to link. Alfred Louis Raison built the first aircraft in South Africa, but is was flown by Cecil Bredell on 2nd May 1911. (see quote below)
Quote:
The first aircraft designed, built and flown in this country was built by Alfred Louis Raison, based on the design that Louis Bleriot used to fly across the English Channel. Raison built the aircraft for a wealthy Johannesburg based timber merchant, Cecil Bredell. Bredell flew the aircraft on 2nd May 1911 at Highlands North, Johannesburg
OK, so I am just being pedantic or have I miss understood something here
:jester:
Hagar the Lovable (and to some the Horrible) 