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W. Starling Burgess was a noted American yacht and speed boat designer and developed then built this Burgess-Dunne hydro-aeroplane- an innovative tailless pusher with swept-back wings. (Model and kit by Richard Dery FG designer) |
Burgess-Dunne Flying Wing
In addition, Burgess, was turning his talents to the manufacture of pontoons and seaplane hulls. He was already building, under license, Wright-type airplanes for the Army, and was planning to develop a tractor biplane ain addition. He was experimenting with a flying boat dubbed the 'Flying Fish', with an eye for sales with the Canadian Navy. He also took on, under license from its inventor, an inherently stable tailless airplane by constructing a pusher biplane with extreme swept-back wings and short nacelle-configured like an arrowhead, minus it's shaft in appearance.
Mounted on wheels, this unusual airplane met with an indifferent reception by the British war office, and faired little better when produced under franchise in France by the Nieuport company. In the United States, however, it aroused considerable interest, especially when fitted with a single float developed by Burgess for over water flights.
Flying over water, according to the hydro-airplane enthusiasts, had numerous advantages over land as a base for flying operations. They theorized that water represented a nearly limitless natural aerodrome and that there were more numerous "air pockets" over water than over land; and that water was "softer" to fall into water than the hard and unyielding. ground.
What People Say:
Thank you. I teach Canadian aviation history to our version of the Civil Air Patrol. This model will be a great teaching aid. James
Way to go Chip! You've done it again...another fine model and background information. Bud
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![]() This is the American version, Dunne D.8, designed for the US Navy |
![]() These are views of Richard's Burgess-Dunne D.8 Beta model. Note that all struts now require flat toothpicks for additional strength. Use #110 cardstock for this large version and #67 for the smaller size |
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![]() Early 20th Century artists were also fascinated by the Burgess-Dunne D.8 Flying Wing |
![]() A nicely built wooden Burgess-Dunne Flying Wing model |
![]() Burgess-Dunne pilot waving 'hello' while passenger holds on for dear life ! |
![]() Burgess-Dunne D.8Flying wing just before taking off. Note the three bladed prop |
![]() Burgess-Dunne FLying wing pulled up onto a dock in the city. |
![]() You can almost hear the engine roaring as this Burgess-Dunne flying wing leaps into the air |
![]() Flying over the sea, the Burgess-Dunne D.8 Flying wing can land anywhere |
![]() Burgess-Dunne D.8 with anti nose-over framework attached to its nose |
![]() Burgess-Dunne Flying Wing drawings |
![]() Burgess-Dunne plan views. Note how the upper wing curves downward towards the tip. This is called 'washout' and is critical for stability. Also note the machine gun on the nose. |
![]() Canada even issued a postage stamp commemorating the Burgess-Dunne |
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![]() The Burgess-Dunne Flying Wing always attracted lots of attention |
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![]() Look familiar?? This is the Easy Riser ultralilght airplane made from a kit and available. Link |
![]() The Kiceniuk Icarus I was a revolutionary hang glider designed, built and flown by Taras Kiceniuk, Jr. in the early 1970s. Link |
![]() Burgess-Dunne wooden model from an old Fine Scale Modeler magazine |