Author: Terry

Vanderford 1923 Experimental

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In 1923 William Vanderford of Gladbrook IA. Built a single place, open cockpit, high wing monoplane, powered by a 2-cyl Harley-Davidson engine, which was not the only motorcycle part used. Open frame fuselage.

On the first run of the engine the airplane spun around, ran over a small tree, and almost made it to the neighbor’s porch. Taxiing trials were made, but the airplane would not rise, so it ended up instead as a powered sled.

Vanden Plas Médiaplan

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The second try at flying by Vanden Plas was the “Médiaplan”, subject of Belgian Patent 237.925 of 22 July 1911. It was built by the Laurent firm at Leuven, which built propellers and other aviation parts. It was shown at Ans on 15 June 1911, flown successfully by Westerlain, although it is reported it ran out of fuel and had to land in field. It was displayed at the XI Salon in Brussels in January 1912 and it was reported that flying would resume in Kiewit, but nothing was heard of it. It was powered by a Vivinus engine, later by a 50 hp Gnôme.

Vanden Plas

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The coach building firm Vanden Plas was founded in 1870 in Belgium and employed a total workforce of 750 before the Great War. Albert Victor Vanden Plas tried his hands in designing aeroplanes, first resulting in a Belgian patent for a “Héli-Orthoptère-Planeur”, which was not proceeded with.

The second try was the “Médiaplan”, subject of Belgian Patent 237.925 of 22 July 1911.

Vancraft 2 Place

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A two seat tandem partially enclosed autogyro. A high-low tandem with pilot only controls. Engine: 2180cc VW or similiar. Prop: St.Croix 56” x 60” wood or 66” Warp Drive. Rotor blades: 29’ x 9” Vancraft wood core, steel spar, aluminium skins.

Min speed: 5-10 mph
Cruise: 65-85 mph
Top speed: 120 mph
Empty wt: 500 lbs
Useful load: 400 lbs
Gross wt: 900 lbs
Width: 5’4”
Length: 13’