Curtiss Autoplane
The Curtiss Autoplane, invented by Glenn Curtiss in 1917, is widely considered the first attempt to build a roadable aircraft. Although the vehicle was capable of lifting off the ground, it never achieved full flight.
Development and design
The Autoplane was a triplane, using the wings from a Curtiss Model L trainer, with a small foreplane mounted on the aircraft's nose. The Autoplane's aluminum body resembled a Model T and had three seats in an enclosed cabin, with the pilot/chauffeur sitting in the front seat and the two passengers side-by side to the rear. It used a four-blade pusher propeller, and a twin-boom tail. A 100 horsepower (75 kW) Curtiss OXX engine drove the propeller via shaft and belts. The aircraft had a four wheel undercarriage, with the front two wheels being steerable. The wings and tail could be detached for use as an automobile.
It was shown at the Pan-American Aeronautic Exposition at New York in February 1917. It made a few short hops before the entry of the United States into World War I in April 1917 ended development of the Autoplane.
Hordern-Richmond Autoplane
The Hordern-Richmond Autoplane was a 1930s British twin engined two seat cabin touring monoplane designed by Edmund Hordern, and constructed by Heston Aircraft Company Ltd.
Development
The Autoplane was designed by Edmund G. Hordern in collaboration with Frederick Duke of Richmond and Gordon, and built in 1936 by Heston Aircraft Company at Heston Aerodrome near London. The aircraft was planned to be manufactured and marketed by Hordern-Richmond Aircraft Ltd that was formed by the co-designers in April 1937.
Construction was primarily wooden, with plywood skinned frames. The wings were cantilever, and could be folded outboard of the engines. The fixed main undercarriage legs were inline with the engines, with no brakes and a simple tail skid. The Autoplane was fitted with a control system by which all manoeuvres could be carried out using one hand. At the top of each of the normal control columns there was a small wheel which took the place of the more usual rudder bar or pedals. No wing flaps or pilot-operated trimmers were provided.
