Verville-Sperry M-1 Messenger – Billeder og video

Den Sperry Messenger var et amerikansk ensædet biplan designet af Alfred V. Verville, der arbejdede for ingeniørafdelingen i United States Army Air Service (USAAS) og bygget under kontrakt af Sperry Aircraft Company of Farmingdale, New York. Flyet blev senere betegnet M-1 og MAT af USAAS. Sperry producerede cirka 50 Messengers og den civile tosædede version, Sport Plane, mellem 1920 og 1926. Flyet var det første til at komme i kontakt mellem et fly og et luftskib under flyvningen.

Kilde: Verville-Sperry M-1 Messenger på Wikipedia

Den Verville-Sperry M-1 Messenger was a small and simple biplane that was designed for communication and experimentation purposes by the United States Army Air Service in the early 1920s. It was powered by a 60 hp Lawrance L-4 radial engine and had a top speed of 96.7 mph. The aircraft was built by the Sperry Aircraft Company, founded by Lawrence Sperry, who was also known for his inventions of the autopilot and the aerial torpedo.
Den M-1 Messenger was used for various tests and demonstrations, such as hooking on to an airship in flight, landing on the steps of the Capitol building, and flying across the English Channel. The aircraft was also modified into a two-seat civilian version called the Sperry Sport Plane. The M-1 Messenger was one of the first examples of a light and versatile aircraft that could be used for multiple roles and missions.