Aircraft

Two Wings Mariner EXP

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Amphibian pusher made from sheet metal, tube and fabric.

Engine: Subaru, 60 hp
HP range: 30-100
Height: 8 ft
Length: 18.75 ft
Wing span: 28.5 ft
Wing area: 204 sq.ft
Weight empty: 370 lbs
Gross: 950 lbs
Fuel cap: 10 USG
Speed max: 100 mph
Cruise: 80 mph
Range: 400 sm
Stall: 29 mph
ROC: 1500 fpm
Take-off dist: 175 ft
Landing dist: 225 ft
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft
Seats: 1 or 2
Landing gear: tail wheel, retractable

TWK Clarke Glider

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In 1910 TWK Clarke and Co., a Kingston-on-Thames manufacturer of aircraft, accessories and flying models, produced a range of four biplane gliders. This machine, based on a configuration evolved by the American pioneer Octave Chanute, was the third largest of the range and resembled the Wright brothers’ aircraft in general construction. It could be bought as a kit for 10 guineas (£10.50) or completely assembled and covered for £34.
The machine was flown as a hang-glider with the pilot resting his armpits on the padded cushions, while the two control levers, connected in unison, operated the rudder when moved from side to side and the one-piece elevator when moved backwards or forwards. Banking in turns was achieved by the pilot swinging his body and legs towards the inside of the anticipated turn.

Gliding and hang-gliding are now popular leisure pastimes, but at the time T.W.K. Clarke built this glider, powered and controlled flight had yet take place. Gliders were used by many pioneers to perfect their skill at flying and also the machines they were building.

Twining Ornithopter

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American Harry LaVerne Twining built himself a man powered ornithopter, likely with the assistance of Warren Samuel Eaton. Completed around the summer of 1909 and first appearing in the October 1909 issue of Aeronautics it was tested late in 1909.

It consisted of a tricycle to which articulated 8.2 m (27 ft) wings, operated by foot stirrups, were attached. The Los Angeles Daily Times dubbed it ‘Twining’s Flip Flop’ and assured worried readers that Twining did not intend to rise far from the ground at first, which was just as well because the flip flop was a complete flop, flapping furiously along a Los Angeles street but barely rising an inch.

As President of the Aero Club of California, Twining entered his second ornithopter into the 1910 Los Angeles International Air Meet at Dominguez Field.