"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
ink.net...

"robert arndt" wrote in message
om...

http://www.deepsky.com/~firstflight/

Lots of good info here with documentation, photos of aircraft and
engines, affadavits, etc...


But without any credible evidence that Weisskopf ever flew.


What constitutes 'credible evidence'. You have to define that. There
are several affidavits that he did fly. Replicas, that are in
substance the same and very similar as far as can known, have flown.



For those who really are interested in who flew first...


No rational person believes Weisskopf ever flew.

This statement is in essence ad hominem. Any rational person would
entertain at least the possibility that Weiskopf/Whitehead did fly.
A man who engineered several successful engines.

On the one hand you say there is no credible evidence and on the other
you say anyone who does not flatly deny the possibility that he flew
is irrational.

He had an horizontal tailplane and elevator, he had twin aircrews that
could bee varied to change direction and he had roll control via
weight shifting (not a good method but it works for hang gliders and
it worked for Lilienthaal.)

While his propellers are criticized for being inefficient it has to be
remembered that he accelerated his vehicle via engaging road wheels: a
method that must be near 100% efficient.

I don't discredit the Wright Brothers, the thoroughness of their work
is excellent and they clearly had got it right by 1905.

By 1910 successful flight was going to be inevitable: the advances in
engine power to weight ratio meant that the power was finally
available to realize it.