M.Goodall, A.Tagg British Aircraft before the Great War (Schiffer)
Deleted by request of (c)Schiffer Publishing
MITCHELL hydro-biplane (Three Mitchell Bros., 32 Greenfield Rd., Gillingham, Kent)
The Mitchell brothers seaplane was tested on the Medway in the middle of 1914, but could only be taxied in an area where flying was restricted. On the last of these runs the machine nosed over in the water at Bennett's Wharf.
The aircraft was a typical tractor biplane, mounted on two main floats and a tail float. Ailerons were fitted on the interplane struts. Assembly took place behind the White Horse Inn in Pier Road, Gillingham. The war prevented any further activity.
The brothers are believed to have built a 25hp monoplane in 1912.
Power: 100hp Mors, probably a car engine.
Data
Span top 37ft
Span bottom 34ft
Chord 4ft 6in
Gap 6ft
Weight 1,050 lb
P.Lewis British Aircraft 1809-1914 (Putnam)
Mitchell Hydro-biplane
The Mitchell Hydro-biplane was constructed at Gillingham, Kent, during the early part of 1914 by the three Mitchell brothers. The machine was a tractor powered by a Mors automobile engine of 100 h.p. The undercarriage consisted of two main floats, augmented by another at the tail. During testing the aircraft nosed over in the water. Span, 37 ft. Weight empty, 1,050 lb.
Журнал Flight
Flight, June 26, 1914.
EDDIES.
Waterplaning is not, evidently, to be regarded as the sport of the well-to-do, as I hear that the three brothers Mitchell are having an excellent time at Gillingham in Kent, with a machine which they have constructed from their own designs. This machine is a biplane having a span of 37 ft. and 34 ft. for the upper and lower planes respectively - the chord being 4 ft. 6 ins. and the gap 6 ft. At present a 100 h.p. Mors engine is fitted, and the machine when empty weighs 1,050 lbs. Three floats are employed - two main and one tail float - the former, which weigh 50 lbs. each, being rigidly attached to the struts from the body, and tied together by the cross-member seen in the photograph. Ailerons are fitted between the main planes. The machine has not yet been flown, owing to the fact that the locality is within one of the restricted areas, but "taxying" has been freely indulged in. On the last occasion, however, misfortune awaited them, happily without serious results, as the crowd, holding on to the tail, let go before the pilot was ready, with the result depicted in the photograph.