Hi Chronister,
>3. Are there other sources that would confirm or refute this account
This article was fairly recently reproduced either in Flugzeug Classic or Jet & Prop, and I think additional information was given too, so I believe it's real.
Translation below.
Regards,
Henning (HoHun)
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"I revolutionize sporting aviation with beating wings!
The letter published below speaks for itself. Whoever was at Klemm's and knew the high wing cabin aircraft 'Mücke' [Mosquito] also knows the author of the following lines. WELTLUFTFAHRT [Global Aviation] has set itself the task to prevent that ornithopter flying - which was born 7 years ago - is forgotten, and to contribute to achieving what its inventor predicts: A new way out of the dead end of sporting aviation. The editors.
Dear editors,
Since thousands of years, mankind has been striving for flight, for the effortless dance with the winds, with the up and down of the beating wings identical to the ancient archetype, the flying bird. For thousands of years to the current day, men have sacrificed never-tiring idealism, the strength of their nerves and last but not least great sums of money in attempt after attempt. The sensible are content with the achievement of the goal by the detour over the fixed-wing aircraft, the not-so-sensible however kept tinkering in the shop and pouring over the drawing board, sacrificed all of their belongings and could not quit to try to imitate the original. But w h o heard about success? Were the never-tiring men really those that were victims of unreasonableness? Weren't those who. ridiculed by experts and laymans, pioneers who fought a bitter battle for the proof of their theorie? They had assembled evidence piece by piece and it is a joke of history that the achievements lie asleep in the drawers of a desk though they would be worthy of appreciation as an event of global significance: The first manned ornithopter flight succeeded on 26th of June, 1942 on the Schäferwiese [Shepherd's Meadow] in Munich Leim.
30 years ago I began my experiments, and as a 70-year-old man I still remember the tiresome weeks and months as if it were yeasterday. Only 1932 brought the success of the free-flying ornithopter model. The experiments were then restricted to the ground. A muscle-power car was designed and used to measure the thrust that could be achieved by the beating of wings. A thousand failures - eternal 'enfant terrible': Wing section and strenght! By dogged work, it was possible to achieve a thrust of 180 to 200 kg [force]. That should be enough! The experimental machine was constructed: 120 pounds weight [German pounds of exactly 0.5 kg
], 12.6 m wingspan and behind them the beating wings with 3.2 m each. Then we towed to 20 m height using a winch. The wings began to rotate and the machine flew a distance of 900 m without any loss of height. After that, the same once more! With 3/4 HP of human muscle power. The installation of a 3 HP Sachs motorcycle engine in the centre of gravity brought the next surprises: Perfect take-off, completely smooth [and/or silent] flight and after 15 minutes a smooth landing. Average cruise speed 60 km/h!
6 HP increased the cruise speed to 80 km/h, and with only 10 [HP] the twin seater achieved 100 to 120 km/h. With these flights before witnesses, the work had to be quit as 'not important for the war effort'. However, previously flights with the [modified] Grunau Baby IIa glider with beating outer wings were successful. The goal was achieved ... and at the same time, the work was ended.
Do we appreciate what it means to be able to take-off and fly with 3 HP? To consume less than 1.5 L fuel for 100 km distance? To be able to soar when the wether permits and still not to have to 'drown' when the thermals cease to give lift?
I am old today, and I don't know if I will live to see the times when aviation will be permitted in Germany again. Never before anyone has been allowed insights into my work, but I consider it my obligation to take care that my results are preserved before it is too late. The test flights have to be continued. Even when today, lifting and propelling wing are still separated, the final goal of the development is the pure ornithopter. I know the way and am ready to show it. There shall be no shortage of success. Beating wings will revolutionize sporting aviation!
Adalbert Schmid
1949"
Linear Mode
