LYSTER-SMYTHE glider (Cecil and Richard Lyster-Smythe, Barbavilla, County Westmeath, Ireland)

   The Lyster-Smythe brothers aged fourteen and twelve respectively built a primitive biplane glider, towards the end of 1909 and did all the work themselves, with the exception of the wheel axles. Although somewhat crudely made, the brothers were able to achieve a number of glides of thirty or forty yards. A rudder was fitted and a front elevator but with no obvious method of warping the wings. The undercarriage comprised of a pair of bicycle wheels.

   Data
   Span 20ft
   Chord 6ft 4in
   Height 6ft