Sloping Off - September 2005
David Stanger - Model Aviation Pioneer
by Trevor Hewson
Whilst looking around the local Motorcycle museum, I was intrigued to come across a rather smart looking machine, emblazoned with the name Stanger. The placard on the bike read: "Stanger 1923 V-Twin. 583cc two-stroke twin with bellcrank rear suspension. All chain drive model made by David Stanger in London between 1921 & 1923." Now, Stanger happens to be my great grandmother's maiden name, so this did stir my curiosity somewhat. Imagine then how I felt when, a little further along on the wall of the museum, I found a copy of an article about David Stanger's exploits - as a pioneer of Model Aviation!
Unfortunately the museum was unable to provide any more information on David Stanger but I was by now sufficiently intrigued to find out more about this man, particularly his pioneering work in the field of model aviation.
A Google search turned up very little. However, the article in the motorcycle museum said that David Stanger set the first ever duration record for a petrol-powered model aeroplane at Hendon in 1914. Since Hendon is now the site of the RAF museum, I sent off an enquiry to them. I also e-mailed the BMFA to see if they could add any more about this record setting flight. The Hendon enquiry drew a blank it seems that the archives of the Royal Aero Club are largely uncatalogued so the only hope would be to pay a researcher to search through them. However, I struck gold with the enquiry to the BMFA, in the form of a reply from none other than Ron Moulton. This name will be familiar to all modellers ‘of a certain age’, and he has almost God-like status for me, being the author of the ‘Control Line Manual’, the first book I bought in my schoolboy aeromodelling days (and, come to think of it, possibly the first book of any sort I ever bought!)
Ron told me that the article in the motorcycle museum was taken from the 1969-70 Aeromodeller Annual, which he edited. Ron also was able to provide me with photocopies of articles from the 1914 edition of ‘Flight’ and the 1959 edition of ‘Model Aircraft’. I have subsequently managed to trace further references in the ‘Engine Collectors’ Journal’ and in ‘SAM Speaks’, the journal of the Society of Antique Modellers’. There are several references still to be tracked down, notably in ‘Model Engineer’ and in the edition of ‘Aero’, dated 16th November 1907!
It is clear from what I have found so far that David Stanger’s record setting flight of 51 seconds in 1914 was achieved after at least 7 years’ hard work and experimentation. The 1907 reference describes in detail a V-4 Petrol engine he made for his model aeroplane. This weighed about 8lbs and produced around 1.25hp at 1,300rpm, turning a 30in diameter propeller. The 1910 edition of Flight includes a letter from Stanger with photographic evidence of his biplane model in flight. This model spanned 8ft 6in.
By the time of the record setting flight in 1914, Stanger had produced a lighter, V-twin version of his engine and mounted it in a 7ft wingspan canard biplane, with an all-up weight of 10.75lb. In that same year he produced a 10ft span monoplane, powered by the V-4 engine, weighing in at around 20lb which apparently also flew successfully. These are large models even by today’s standards but remember, we are talking free-flight here! However, the local constabulary do appear to be more interested than concerned about these strange goings on.
If you want to read more about David Stanger’s exploits, I have collated the information on my website at: http://homepage.mac.com/trevorhewson (go to the Miscellaneous zone, then Special Exhibits).
As you read this, Trevor has taken his research a great deal further and is making a 30” span, GWS-powered indoor model of the record-breaking biplane. With typical thoroughness, he has produced a “will it fly?” chuckie, and built a half-scale fuselage, just to see where all the longerons, uprights, mounts and struts really must have gone nearly 90 years ago. And the Chuckie flies!
As we went to press, he had made the “full size” longerons from laminated 0.8 mm ply strips and was getting to grips with the remainder of the structure.
I can only suggest that you come along to Calshot later in the year to watch this historic reconstruction fly gracefully round the Velodrome.
Personally, I like the Monoplane. Just look at the picture. It’s a well-proportioned, simple structure with good balance and obviously suitable for prolonged flight. If only David Stanger had invented RC as well!
Despite appearances, this third Stanger model is a tractor biplane!
