Carl Wanke of Coswig/Anhalt, Germany, started in 1912 to build aircraft. He set up a small workshop and with help of local carpenters, technicians and other enthusiasts he constructed his first aircraft. That was said to have been projected as monoplane, but it was only able to move some 30 metres on the ground. Then Wanke rebuilt the wings and apparently created the biplane shown above. It was tested with some hops, but after a somersault during the first public trial flight it was wrecked.
The 1932 Dale RD-9 was a two-place cabin biplane pusher with folding wings, reportedly scaled up from model airplane plans.
One was built, registered N12526 c/n CW-1, powered by an 80hp LeRhône rotary.
Built 15 May 15/32, it reported to CAA as “not in service” on 12 November 1932, then “junked” 27 January 1934. The registration was cancelled on 18 June 1934.
Engine: Hall-Scott A7-A, 100 hp
The Walsh Seaplane itself lasted only 15 months before being dismantled and parts from it were used in the building of an improved flying boat known as “The Roberts”.
The business syndicate, displeased with Vivian’s seemingly excessive caution, took possession of the Manurewa; soon after, it crashed and was damaged beyond repair. Recovering from this setback, Leo, with Vivian’s help, began to design a flying boat of the American Curtiss type which he thought would suit New Zealand conditions. The brothers gained the financial and practical assistance of R. A. Dexter, an American engineer and motor dealer in Auckland, who was to be a consistent supporter.
Fifteen months’ spare time work went into the construction of this aircraft; all the work was carried out by the Walsh brothers, Leo and Vivian, with the exception of the steel fittings which were manufactured by Mr R.A. Dexter, an Auckland engineer who was backing the project.
The hull planking was cedar with ash stringers and mahogany ribs; the hull weighed 305 lbs. Aluminium decking was provided on the forward portion of the hull and the after portion was covered with a special cloth stretched over cedar battens. Seven watertight compartments were built into the hull. The two mainplanes (each 41 ft 6 ins long) had front and rear spars of ash with cedar rib. The fabric covering the wings and the tailplane was doped with cellulose. The aircraft was powered by a 10-cylinder 4-stroke Anzani engine fitted in a special housing at the rear end of the top mainplane. An 8 ft laminated walnut and mahogany propellor with brass tips was fitted.
The aircraft was constructed at the Walshs’ home in Remuera and when completed was dismantled and carried to Bastion Pt, Orakei. After re-assembly the aircraft was launched on January 1, 1915. After taxiing trials and final adjustments, Vivian Walsh took off in the flying boat for a short test flight around Bastion Pt. Many practice flights followed and on March 14 carried its first passengers (covering a distance of five miles).
Even with the light weight of this aircraft (1,200 lbs) the 80 hp Anzani radial engine was only just sufficient to keep the aircraft flying and many hours of work by Leo Walsh were required to keep the engine tuned.
In March 1915 Vivian took the first of many passengers on a flight of five miles. The flying boat itself lasted only 15 months before being dismantled and parts from it were used in the building of an im¬proved flying boat known as “The Roberts”.
Engine: 80 hp Anzani
Weight: 1,200 lbs
In 1981 Stanley B Wallis of Ypsilanti MI, USA, built a two-place, open cockpit biplane, original design to resemble the best of the great old biplanes of the 1925-32 period.
Engine: 260hp Ford auto
The 1919 Wallace Blackhawk was a two-place open-cockpit biplane. It was possibly powered by a 90hp Curtiss OX-5.
The 1928 Waldron Aircraft H-11, designed by Orville Hickman, was modified from his Pheasant design. A three-place, open cockpit biplane, registered NX5316, it first flew on 4 June 1928, piloted by Gene Shank. It was priced at $3,000.
Engine: 90hp Curtiss OX-5
Wingspan: 32’0″
Length: 23’6″
Useful load: 823 lb
Max speed: 104 mph
Cruise: 95 mph
Stall: 30 mph
Range: 400 mi
Seats: 3
A four place open cockpit biplane flying boat built in 1932 (ATC 2-450) registered NC13206 c/n 10. Power was a 180hp Hisso E.
The 1909 Walden I and Walden II were described as looking like two biplanes with an open-framework fuselage connecting them. The Walden I was scrapped after proving to be too underpowered to fly, so II was built with 25hp Anzani pusher. It, too, failed to get airborne.
Dr W. H. Walden tested this machine at Morris Park in Bronx in the autumn of 1909. A unique feature was the automatically stabilizing lateral control. It was operated by the weight of the engine, which was suspended as a pendulum and operated control surfaces on the wing tips via wires.
The machine was destroyed in November or December. It was stored outdoors and was overturned by the wind, reducing it to “a mass of stick and wires”.
I
Engine: 15hp auto
Wing span: 26’0″
Length: 20’0″
Seats: 1
II
Engine. 25hp Anzani
Wing span: 30’0″
Length: 20’0″
All Aero 