H.Nowarra, G.Duval Russian Civil and Military Aircraft 1884-1969

There was another designer in Russia who became interested in giant aircraft, although to a lesser degree and lacking the facilities enjoyed by Sikorski. A Scotsman, Mackenzie-Kennedy, had commenced experiments with a hydroplane under the patronage of the Imperial River Yacht Club of St. Petersburg in 1909, and later opened an aircraft factory in the city where he constructed prototypes of several large biplanes fitted with geared-down propellers of great diameter. In 1914, Kennedy built an aircraft which embodied many design features of both Farman and Wright machines; a biplane with a single engine driving the twin pusher propellers through chains, and having twin boom-mounted rudders aft with the elevator positioned in front of the exposed pilot’s position. Lateral control was by means of ailerons. In this machine, the Kennedy No. 1, the designer achieved a world record by flying at a power to weight ratio of one horsepower to 48-4 lb.

Форум Breguet's Aircraft Challenge

Mr. Chessborough Mackenzie-Kennedy a typical Scotsman, arrived in Russia probably in 1903 / 1904. In his words "I reached Petrograd," he said, "with exactly three pounds in my pocket. That was my entire fortune. I did not know one word of Russian, and had not a single friend in Russia."
   Quite an adventure. Englishmen in those days were not popular in Russia, and the authorities regarded both the English and the Americans with suspicion as the friends of Japan. (owing to the Japanese-Russian war of 1905). But Mackenzie-Kennedy did manage to get his mark in higher military circles in St. Petersburg (Russia) and after two years it was then suggested to Kennedy that he should turn his attention to aviation.
   He started experimenting with aeroplanes with the consequence that a private company was formed called the Kennedy Aeronautic Company, which enabled Kennedy to go on experimenting with aeroplanes. He gave his attention principally to the study of aero-dynamics and the application to the aeroplane of slow-revolution air screws of large diameter and pitch. It was not till 1913 that he obtained any positive results. During this time, however, he accomplished much for aeroplanes and assisted in the construction of the Russian dirigibles "Golub" and "Sokol."
   In 1911 Kennedy met the famous Sikorsky, then a student at the Kiev Polytechnic. The two young men became friends, and their friendship has had a most important effect on the development of Russian aviation. In the period 1912-14 Kennedy was busy designing giant flying machines and continuing his experimental work in aero-dynamics in the splendidly equipped laboratories of the Petrograd Imperial Polytechnic, the results of his work frequently receiving official commendation.
   When war broke out Kennedy, as a British patriot, came to London to offer his services to Great Britain.

   Chessborough Mackenzie-Kennedy - an English business man in Russia - accepted an invitation to participate in the Russian 1912 competition of military airplanes. The machine which was developed, a biplane with one 60 hp ENW engine of 60 hp - did not fly at the competition. The aeroplane of Kennedy made an unfavourable impression with its decidedly ugly look.
   After the refusal of several pilots to test aircraft, N. A. Yapuk [Н. А. Япук] agreed to fly the machine. During the first taxiing trials one of the wingtip pyramids broke, what resulted in broken other parts of the aircraft. After repairing and alteration (the chassis was lowered) the machine taxied and made small approacheson it they taxied and made small approaches [ and a little hooping flight ]. Another breakdown of the machine occurred and it was not rebuilt.
   After the beginning of the war, Kennedy left for England, taking with him part of the materials of designer V. A. Slesarev [В. А. Слесарев] and some of the drawings of the Sikorsky designed Ilya Mourometz. This material was used to build a large aircraft in 1917 [Kennedy Giant], which did not fly.
   There might be quite a story in this Scotsman