BALSTON ornithopters (R.M. Balston, Mereworth, Kent)

   Little is known of Balston's machines, the earliest being reported built at Cadland, near Southampton in 1895-1900, referred to as an 'orthornicopter'. He built a large model to compete in the Daily Mail contest at Alexandra Palace in 1907, when A.V. Roe won the main prize. The man carrying machine followed in 1908 and was built mainly of bamboo. His patent No.23235 of 1905 relates to folding wings for aircraft to facilitate transport.

   Power: 1 1/2hp driving two-bladed propeller
   Data
   Span 17ft