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Wreck of Sir Hiram Maxim?s steam-driven aeroplane. Note ?
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Wreck of Sir Hiram Maxim?s steam-driven aeroplane. Note ?
Wreck of Sir Hiram Maxim?s steam-driven aeroplane. Note the bent axle which was damaged by excessive upward pressure on the antilift rails used to prevent the aeroplane leaving the ground
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Media ID 13097578
© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans Picture Library
Axle Bent Damaged Driven Excessive Hiram Leaving Maxims Note Pressure Prevent Rails Upward Wreck Aeronautics
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph depicts the wreckage of Sir Hiram Maxim's groundbreaking steam-driven aeroplane, a pioneering invention in the early history of aviation. The image serves as a testament to the daring spirit of innovation and the challenges faced in the development of flight technology. Sir Hiram Maxim, a renowned British inventor, constructed this steam-powered aircraft in 1909. The aeroplane, with its distinctive design featuring an enclosed cockpit and a pair of biplane wings, represented a significant departure from the earlier designs of unstable and open-cockpit monoplanes. However, the innovative use of steam power in aviation proved to be a double-edged sword. The steam engine, while providing the necessary thrust, also imposed immense upward pressure on the antilift rails – the horizontal bars designed to prevent the aeroplane from lifting off the ground prematurely. In this photograph, the bent axle of one of the antilift rails is clearly visible, a result of the excessive pressure it endured during a test flight. Despite the setback, Sir Hiram Maxim's steam-driven aeroplane paved the way for future advancements in aviation technology. The lessons learned from this experiment contributed to the development of more efficient and reliable aircraft designs. This photograph, with its intriguing blend of innovation and adversity, stands as a reminder of the relentless pursuit of human ingenuity and the transformative power of perseverance in the face of challenges.
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