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The Humphreys Biplane was the first serious attempt to build a flying boat in the United Kingdom. Also known as the Wivenhoe Flyer it was designed by dentist Jack Humphreys; it failed to fly.

Humphreys Biplane
Role	Biplane flying boat Type of aircraft
National origin	United Kingdom
Designer	Jack Humphreys
Introduction	1909
Number built	1

Design and development

With the help of Forrestt's boatyard, construction by Humphreys of the biplane started in 1908 near Wivenhoe on the River Colne, Essex.[1] With a span of 45 feet it was a sesquiplane biplane with a single-seat hull.[1] The biplane had a 35 hp (26 kW) JAP V8 air-cooled engine which drove two counter-rotating propellers.[1]

The biplane was launched on 3 April 1909 but it turned turtle and sank due to an accident.[1] Recovered and tested again, The Times reported in April 1909 that a further trial was abandoned when the gearing between the engine and the propellers failed.[2] In May 1909 it did manage to skim the water at speed of 12 knots but failed to overcome the drag in the design and failed to fly.[1]

Specifications

Data from London[3]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
• Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m)
• Wing area: 650 sq ft (60 m²) approximate
• Gross weight: 1,750 lb (794 kg) approximate
• Powerplant: 1 × J.A.P. V8 air-cooled piston engine, 38 hp (28 kW)

References

Notes

Bibliography

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