Guess This Aircraft ?

[Red]

Edited August 1 by Red

[onetrack]

Martinsyde Semiquaver Alula. The Martinsyde was originally built as a biplane, the Alula mono wing was designed by a Dutchman, Alexander Albert Holle, and fitted to the Semiquaver for testing purposes.

The Alula wing produced adverse handling results on the ground, making the aircraft top heavy - and coupled with a narrow track undercarriage, the arrangement was deemed unsatisfactory.

The Semiquaver Alula was entered into the 1921 Aerial Derby (on July 16th), but the Semiquavers regular pilot, Frank Courtney, refused to fly the machine, claiming it was dangerous.

The undercarriage was later widened and the aircraft flown on August 27, 1921 by R. W. Kenworthy. The takeoff speed was reported as being an excessive 110mph. The Alula wing was later removed, and the aircraft was converted back to a biplane.

[Red]

Wow, I thought that was an obscure one.