Summary

The website content discusses the history and development of steam-powered aircraft, highlighting key inventions and flights from the mid-19th century to the 1930s, and contrasts them with modern advancements in electric aircraft.

Abstract

The article delves into the lesser-known history of steam-powered aircraft, beginning with the Giffard dirigible in 1852, the first passenger-carrying airship powered by a steam engine. It then describes the 1874 du Temple Monoplane, an aluminium steam-powered aircraft that achieved a brief powered flight. The narrative culminates with the world's first steam-driven airplane that flew unassisted in 1933, designed by the Besler brothers. Despite the Wright brothers' pioneering work with motor-operated airplanes, the article reflects on the renewed interest in steam-driven aircraft in the 1930s for their potential to reduce fire hazards, eliminate radio interference, simplify mechanical systems, and reduce noise and vibration. The article concludes by noting the current shift in focus towards electric-powered aircraft.

Opinions

The article suggests that steam-powered aircraft were innovative for their time and contributed significantly to the history of aviation.
It implies that steam power was a viable alternative to internal combustion engines, with potential benefits such as reduced fire risk and mechanical simplicity.
The author expresses that the Besler brothers' 1933 steam-driven biplane was a remarkable engineering feat, demonstrating the potential of steam power in aviation.
The text indicates a nostalgic view of steam technology while acknowledging the progression of aviation technology towards electric power as the future.
The article seems to advocate for the exploration of diverse power sources for aircraft, highlighting the historical context of such endeavors and their contemporary relevance.

Steam Powered Aircraft.

Steam trains, ships and cars. Why not steam powered aircraft?

Original caption: “Here is the first plane in the world’s history to be flown powered by a steam engine. It is shown before the take-off enveloped in its own steam”. (***public domain*** because its copyright has **expired** and its author is **anonymous) Source:** (July 1933). “World’s First Steam-Driven-Airplane”. *Popular Science* **123** (1): 9–11, 92.

Giffard Dirigible, First Powered, Passenger Carrying Airship 1852

A model of the Giffard airship at the London Science Museum. Taken by User:Mike Young at the London Science Museum (released into the **public domain** by its author, **Mike Young** **at English Wikipedia**.)

Giffard born 1825, Invented Giffard dirigible, Airship powered by steam, World’s first passenger carrying airship practical and steerable, Hydrogen-filled dirigible, 3 hp steam engine driving propeller, Exhaust steam mixed with combustion gases preventing parks igniting hydrogen.

24 September 1852 Giffard made first powered and controlled flight of 27 km Paris to Élancourt, Strong wind prevented return.

First Steam Powered Aircraft 1874.

Reconstructed model of Du Temple’s 1857 flying machine at the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace

du Temple Monoplane steam-powered aircraft made of aluminium built in Brest by by Félix du Temple 1874, Wingspan of 13 m weighing 80 kg without pilot.

Generally accepted achieved lift-off, Staggering briefly into air from combination of own power and running down inclined ramp, Glided short time landed safely, First successful powered flight but crucially not first self-powered one.

Félix du Temple’s 1874 *Monoplane*. Illustration by Félix du Temple (1823–1890) — Félix du Temple, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=639782

Monoplane powered by compact steam engine Félix du Temple applied for patent 28 April 1876.

Monoplane’s boiler now known as flash boiler type, Engine design adopted by French Navy for propulsion of first French torpedo boats.

World’s First Steam Driven Airplane Flying Unassisted 1933.

George and William Besler’s prototype steam biplane based on a Travel Air 2000 flew several times at Oakland airport circling at 1,000 ft.

Powered by two-cylinder 150 hp (110 kW) double-expansion V-twin reciprocating engine weighing 500 lb (230 kg), Designed by Doble Steam Motors Company and Besler, Sealed condensers returned steam from cylinders to boiler with only 1% loss.

Biplane capable of short take-off and landing due to ease of reversing thrust.

Reflections.

Wright brothers credited with inventing building and flying world’s first successful motor-operated airplane, First controlled sustained flight of powered heavier-than-air aircraft December 17 1903, Brothers were first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing powered flight possible.

Renewed interest steam driven aircraft in 1930’s around possibility of: Reducing fire hazard by using crude oil, Eliminating radio interference because no ignition system, Simplifying mechanical systems, Reducing noise and vibration, Less complicated lubrication.

Now interest focussing on Electric powered aircraft.

Blessed be.

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