Lympne light aircraft trials of 1923
 

For you aviation buffs, aircraft fuel economy competitions started after WW1. The two aircraft that won the British Lympne light aircraft trials of 1923, the ANEC1 and the English Electric Wren, both got 87.5 mpg (imp) = 105mpg (US). Pretty darn good considering the primitive engines of the day.

ANEC I - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
English Electric Wren - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lympne_...ircraft_trials

Very cool, but I think you got the imp and us mpg's backwards.

Yep, I got them backwards, but 72.9mpg(US) is still excellent mileage for an airplane, especially in 1923

http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-fr...0px-eewren.jpg

A fully cantilevered wing in 1923 is nice, but I'm not sure about the hot-engine-oil-on-the-goggles vibe.

Compared to the quantities of hot castor oil constantly being slung out by the WWI era rotary engines, the amount of oil lost from that converted motorcycle engine was negligible. But having some sort of hearing protection would also come in handy since your head was sitting 2 feet behind the engine and prop.

Agreed.

That low-rider stance looks good for parades, but I'm not sure I want to try to land the thing that way.

Mono-plane wing at that ...

I've seen this puppy fly @ Old Warden / Shuttleworth collection :)
It's really more of a motorised glider than an airplane.


BTW :
Both it and the Anec II were up flying last July @ the evening flying display - which is a gorgeous show if the weather is cooperating.
If you're ever near Old Warden on one of these days and the sun is out : GO THERE !
Airshow Review – Shuttleworth Evening Flying Display 06/07/13 | GAR