M.Goodall, A.Tagg British Aircraft before the Great War (Schiffer)
Deleted by request of (c)Schiffer Publishing
MOLESWORTH-HUGHES triplane (H.B. Molesworth, Brooklands)
The Mackensie-Hughes triplane, Brittannia, was apparently taken over by Molesworth and redesigned in the autumn of 1910. In September it was reported as still unable to fly on 20hp after changes of propeller, both geared and direct drive being tried. In November a report suggested that a 20hp British Rotary engine was to be fitted, with a larger one of 50hp later. This engine did not materialize. On the 10 February 1911 the triplane was rolling, but although improved, it would still not lift off. The same applied on 1 March 1911, but then the undercarriage collapsed and the machine stood on its nose, when the machine was on the verge of flight. Nothing more was reported.
The modification from the Mackensie-Hughes triplane was primarily to replace the original engine driving twin propellers, with a more powerful 60hp ENV eight-cylinder, water-cooled vee, driving a single propeller direct. At the same time the complicated triplane tailplane was discarded and replaced with a single tailplane on the top longerons, with the rudder mounted behind.
P.Lewis British Aircraft 1809-1914 (Putnam)
Molesworth Triplane
The Mackensie-Hughes Triplane was redesigned during August, 1910, and rebuilt by H. B. Molesworth as the Molesworth Triplane, retaining its name Britannia. A 60 h.p. E.N.V. "F" engine was installed in a forward position, following experience of power-loss and over-heating in the machine's original form. One two-bladed propeller with direct drive was fitted, and a new monoplane horizontal tail was mounted on top of the upper longerons, the rudder being transferred to the rear.
