The Sopwith Pusher, gun, was a gun-carrying two-seat pusher biplane with twin floats. Six of these floatplanes were ordered from the recently-founded Sopwith Aviation Company by the Greek government in March 1914, but immediately commandeered by the Admiralty when war was declared in August that year, subsequently serving with the RNAS.
The Gun Bus was a land based version.
The first amphibian built in Europe circa 1913. A reconnaissance flying boat.
One Bat Boat and two Three-seaters were bought by Winston Churchill for the Naval Wing of the RFC.
1913 Bat Boats Type 1 BB1
Span: 41′
Length: 30’4″
Weight: 1540 lb allup
Speed: 60-65 mph
Bat Boat Type 1 BB2 and BB3 amphibian
Span: 41′
Length: 32′
dihedral 3 deg
Sopwith Bat Boat II
Engine: Salmson, 197 hp
Length: 35.302 ft / 10.76 m
Height: 11.909 ft / 3.63 m
Wingspan: 54.987 ft / 16.76 m
Wing area: 599.985 sqft / 55.74 sq.m
Max take off weight: 3184.0 lb / 1444.0 kg
Weight empty: 2302.0 lb / 1044.0 kg
Max. weight carried: 882.0 lbs / 400.0 kg
Max. speed: 61 kts / 113 km/h
Wing loading: 5.33 lbs/sq.ft / 26.00 kg/sq.m
Crew: 2
The Sopwith Aviation Company Ltd in Kingston-on-Thames was founded in a shed at Brooklands in 1912 by Tommy, Thomas Octave Murdoch Sopwith.
Sopwith rebuilt early aircraft before First World War, began development of own types and formed important associations with F. Sigrist (engineer and largely responsible for future success) and H. G. Hawker (pilot). Company registered March 1914.
Bat Boat of 1913 was notable flying-boat and Tabloid landplane of same year gained renown as floatplane by winning 1914 Schneider Trophy. Wartime developments were Schneider and Baby floatplanes.
Became world famous for fighter aircraft, built in great numbers by many companies, though first landplane fighter built in great numbers was two-seat 1 1/2-Strutter. Pup was smaller single-seater. Triplane of 1916 excelled in climb. Two-gun Camel, in service 1917, excelled in maneuverability; shipboard version had detachable rear fuselage. Cuckoo of 1917 was world’s first deck-landing torpedo-bomber. Snipe was intended to succeed Camel late in war, and remained in RAF service until 1926: Salamander was similar but armored for ground attack.
With an output of 90 ships a week at Kingston alone, due for commercial reasons this company had to end its activities in 1920 and the busi¬ness had to liquidate.
Sopwith wanted to stay in aviation and couldn’t start a company with the same name. So he called the new company the Hawker Engineering Company, with a capital of 20,000 pounds.
Built by John A Sons in 1929, the Sons Trainer was built with “parts purchased from local dealer.” A two-place open cockpit monoplane was registered NC3044 c/n S-8772. The registration was cancelled on 5 September 1930.
Wingspan: 34’6″
Length: 22’6″
Seats: 2
Humble TX.
USA
Built the Sons Trainer in 1929.
The XENOS follows in the Monnett tradition of bringing the cost of motor gliding to a highly affordable level. Using the same cost-effective and easy-to-build construction techniques and materials of the Sonex and Waiex, the Xenos offers another Reality Check for the soaring world. The Xenos comes standard with utility wing tips that can be easily removed to fit inside a 40 foot hangar, and can be quickly interchanged with optional aerobatic wingtips. The Xenos can either be flown as a Sport Pilot/LSA, or it can be flown by pilots that hold a glider rating with a self-launch glider endorsement. The Xenos can be flown as a powered aircraft, a self-launched glider that soars with the engine off, or it can motor-soar over great distances with incredible fuel economy.
The Xenos can either be flown as a Sport Pilot/LSA, or it can be flown by pilots that hold a glider rating with a self-launch glider endorsement. The Xenos can be flown as a powered aircraft, a self-launched glider that soars with the engine off, or it can motor-soar over great distances for fuel economy.
The Xenos is only available in kit form. The Xenos complete kit includes many pre-fabricated precision parts. Landing gear can be nose or tail wheel. Dual stick controls are standard.
Engine: 80 hp 2180 AeroVee
Length: 19′ 9″
Wing Span (Utility): 45′ 8″
Wing Span (Aerobatic, solo): 39′ 4″
Wing Area (Utility): 158 sq ft
Wing Area (Aerobatic, solo): 144 sq ft
Tail Configuration: Y-tail
Tail Height: 59″
Tail Width–with tail tips: 102″
Main Gear Width: 71″ (with wheel pants)
Primary Structure: 6061 Aluminum
Cockpit Width: 40 in. More Info
Fuel Capacity: 16 US Gal
Stall Speed (clean): 44 mph [71 km/h]
Maneuvering Speed: 115 mph [185 km/h]
Never Exceed Speed (Vne): 150 mph [241 km/h]
Empty Weight: 750 lbs
Baggage (Max): 40 lbs
Range: 400 miles
Cruise Speed @ Sea Level: 100 mph
Cruise Speed @ 8000 ft (TAS): 120 mph
Power Loading: 15.938
T.O. Distance: 300 ft
Landing Distance: 300 ft
Cockpit width: 40 in
Utility
Gross Weight: 1275 lbs
Useful Load: 525 lbs
Rate of Climb: 800-1000 fpm
Load Factor: +4.4 / -2.2 G
L/D: 24:1
CG Limits: 25-36% Wing Chord
Aerobatic
Gross Weight: 1050 lbs
Rate of Climb: 1000-1250 fpm
Load Factor: +6.0 / -3.0 G
CG Limits: 27-32% Wing Chord
Engine: 120 hp Jabiru
Length: 19′ 9″
Wing Span (Utility): 45′ 8″
Wing Span (Aerobatic, solo): 39′ 4″
Wing Area (Utility): 158 sq ft
Wing Area (Aerobatic, solo): 144 sq ft
Tail Configuration: Y-tail
Tail Height: 59″
Tail Width–with tail tips: 102″
Main Gear Width: 71″ (with wheel pants)
Primary Structure: 6061 Aluminum
Cockpit Width: 40 in. More Info
Fuel Capacity: 16 US Gal
Stall Speed (clean): 44 mph [71 km/h]
Maneuvering Speed: 115 mph [185 km/h]
Never Exceed Speed (Vne): 150 mph [241 km/h]
Empty Weight: 760 lbs
Baggage (Max): 40 lbs
Range: 350 miles
Cruise Speed @ Sea Level: 120 mph
Cruise Speed @ 8000 ft (TAS): 140 mph
Power Loading: 10.625
T.O. Distance: 250 ft
Landing Distance: 300 ft
Cockpit width: 40 in
Utility
Gross Weight: 1275 lbs
Useful Load: 515 lbs
Rate of Climb: 1200-1400 fpm
Load Factor: +4.4 / -2.2 G
L/D: 24:1
CG Limits: 25-36% Wing Chord
Aerobatic
Gross Weight: 1050 lbs
Rate of Climb: 2000+ fpm
Load Factor: +6.0 / -3.0 G
CG Limits: 27-32% Wing Chord
VNE: 167 kt / 192 mph / 309 kmh
WAIEX (pronounced “Y-X”) is simply a Y-tail Sonex. Built purely for it’s good looks, the Waiex specifications and performance numbers are identical to those of the Sonex and, like the Sonex, is perfectly suited to the new US Sport Pilot/LSA regulations. The Waiex retains the same Sonex flight characteristics and high performance in all phases of flight, including aerobatics.
The Waiex is only available in kit form. The Waiex complete kit includes many pre-fabricated precision parts.
Engine: 80 hp 2180 AeroVee
Length: 18′ 1″
Wing Span: 22′
Wing Area: 98.0 sq. ft.
Tail Configuration: Y-tail
Tail Height (Std Gear): 51″
Tail Height (Tri-Gear): 69″
Tail Width – with tail tips: 88″
Main Gear Width: 71″ (with wheel pants)
Air Foil: 64-415
Primary Structure: 6061 aluminum
Cockpit Width: 40 in.
Fuel Capacity: 16 US Gal.
Stall Speed (full flaps): 40 mph [64 km/h]
Stall Speed (clean): 46 mph [74 km/h]
Max Flap Extended Speed (Vfe): 100 mph [161 km/h]
Maneuvering Speed: 125 mph [201 km/h]
Never Exceed Speed (Vne): 171 kt / 197 mph / 317 km/h
Empty Weight: 620 lbs.
Range: 550 miles
Cruise Speed @ Sea Level: 130 mph
Cruise Speed @ 8000 ft (TAS): 150 mph
Power Loading (GW/HP): 13.125
T.O. Distance: 400 ft
Landing Distance: 500 ft
Cockpit width: 40 in
Utility Category
Gross Weight: 1100 lbs
Baggage (Max): 40 lbs
Useful Load: 480 lbs
Rate of Climb: 800-1000 fpm
Load Factor: +4.4 / -2.2 G
L/D: 11:1
CG Limits: 20-32% Wing Chord
Aerobatic Category
Gross Weight: 950 lbs
Baggage (Max): 10 lbs
Rate of Climb: 1000-1250 fpm
Load Factor: +6.0 / -3 G
CG Limits: 23-29% Wing Chord
Engine: 80 hp Jabiru
Length: 18′ 1″
Wing Span: 22′
Wing Area: 98.0 sq. ft.
Tail Configuration: Y-tail
Tail Height (Std Gear): 51″
Tail Height (Tri-Gear): 69″
Tail Width – with tail tips: 88″
Main Gear Width: 71″ (with wheel pants)
Air Foil: 64-415
Primary Structure: 6061 aluminum
Cockpit Width: 40 in.
Fuel Capacity: 16 US Gal.
Stall Speed (full flaps): 40 mph [64 km/h]
Stall Speed (clean): 46 mph [74 km/h]
Max Flap Extended Speed (Vfe): 100 mph [161 km/h]
Maneuvering Speed: 125 mph [201 km/h]
Never Exceed Speed (Vne): 171 kt / 197 mph / 317 km/h
Empty Weight: 620 lbs.
Range: 550 miles
Cruise Speed @ Sea Level: 130 mph
Cruise Speed @ 8000 ft (TAS): 150 mph
Power Loading (GW/HP): 13.125
T.O. Distance: 400 ft
Landing Distance: 500 ft
Cockpit width: 40 in
Utility Category
Gross Weight: 1100 lbs
Baggage (Max): 40 lbs
Useful Load: 480 lbs
Rate of Climb: 800-1000 fpm
Load Factor: +4.4 / -2.2 G
L/D: 11:1
CG Limits: 20-32% Wing Chord
Aerobatic Category
Gross Weight: 950 lbs
Baggage (Max): 10 lbs
Rate of Climb: 1000-1250 fpm
Load Factor: +6.0 / -3 G
CG Limits: 23-29% Wing Chord
Engine: 120 hp Jabiru
Length: 18′ 1″
Wing Span: 22′
Wing Area: 98.0 sq. ft.
Tail Configuration: Y-tail
Tail Height (Std Gear): 51″
Tail Height (Tri-Gear): 69″
Tail Width – with tail tips: 88″
Main Gear Width: 71″ (with wheel pants)
Air Foil: 64-415
Primary Structure: 6061 aluminum
Cockpit Width: 40 in.
Fuel Capacity: 16 US Gal.
Stall Speed (full flaps): 40 mph [64 km/h]
Stall Speed (clean): 46 mph [74 km/h]
Max Flap Extended Speed (Vfe): 100 mph [161 km/h]
Maneuvering Speed: 125 mph [201 km/h]
Never Exceed Speed (Vne): 171 kt / 197 mph / 317 km/h
Empty Weight: 620 lbs.
Range: 400 miles
Cruise Speed @ Sea Level: 135 mph
Cruise Speed @ 8000 ft (TAS): 170 mph
Power Loading (GW/HP): 9.583
T.O. Distance: 250 ft
Landing Distance: 500 ft
Cockpit width: 40 in
Utility Category
Gross Weight: 1150 lbs
Baggage (Max): 40 lbs
Useful Load: 530 lbs
Rate of Climb: 1200-1400 fpm
Load Factor: +4.4 / -2.2 G
L/D: 11:1
CG Limits: 20-32% Wing Chord
Aerobatic Category
Gross Weight: 950 lbs
Baggage (Max): 10 lbs
Rate of Climb: 2000+ fpm
Load Factor: +6.0 / -3 G
CG Limits: 23-29% Wing Chord
2009:
Sonex Aircraft, LLC
P.O. Box 2521
Oshkosh, WI 54903
LSA and glider builder
The 1912 Somerville Biplane was an exhibition and sightseeing ship for Earl S Daughery, who relocated to Long Beach CA and founded its municipal airport.
Coal City’s Illinois Aero Construction Co (IAC) initials were on the plane and 51; most likely when it was used as a trainer at IAC’s flying school.
Built by the Illinois Aero Construction Company and designed as an automatically stable machine by William E. (Billy) Somerville.
The 1910 Somerville-Borel was mentioned in the 27 September 1913 Aero and Hydro as a 50hp Gnôme-powered monoplane being flown at Rensselaer IN. Advertised as “automatically stable,” it might have been a copy, rather than a rebuild as thought, of the Morane-Borel.
Engine: 50hp Gnôme
Wingspan: 45’0″
Seats: 1
