The Spencer-Stirling biplane was a 1910s British pusher configuration biplane designed and built by Herbert Spencer. It was sometimes referred to as a Spencer-Farman in reference to the design similarity to Henry Farman's designs.[lower-alpha 1]
| Spencer-Stirling biplane | |
|---|---|
| Role | Pusher Biplane Type of aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Herbert Spencer |
| First flight | 9 November 1910 |
| Primary user | Royal Naval Air Service |
| Number built | 1 |
Mainly based at Brooklands Aerodrome it was also flown around the country by Spencer on demonstration and training flights.[1][2]
Initially powered by an RH 4-cylinder in-line engine rated at 40–70 hp (30–52 kW), the Spencer-Stirling biplane was re-engined in July 1911 with a 50 hp (37 kW) Gnome Gamma rotary engine.[3][2] On 29 August 1911 Spencer obtained his Aviator's Certificate at Brooklands flying the biplane he built.[4][2]
After initial straight hops, the Spencer-Stirling was successfully tested by Henri Pecquet in June 1911 shortly before the Gnome engine was fitted. After passing his aviators certificate, Spencer used the Spencer-Stirling for competition and demonstration flights until the aircraft crashed on 25 February 1912.[2]
Henri Pequet was up on Mr. Spencer's biplane, which has Just been fitted with a new Gnome engine, making a good ten minutes' flight at 1,500 ft., after which he took up Mr. Spencer as passenger.