Verville-Sperry M-1 Messenger - Bilder og video

Den Sperry Messenger var et amerikansk enseters dobbeltdekker designet av Alfred V. Verville som arbeidet for ingeniøravdelingen i United States Army Air Service (USAAS) og bygget under kontrakt av Sperry Aircraft Company i Farmingdale, New York. Flyet ble senere betegnet M-1 og MAT av USAAS. Sperry produserte omtrent 50 Messenger-fly og den sivile toseters versjonen, Sport Plane, mellom 1920 og 1926. Flyet var det første som fikk kontakt mellom et fly og et luftskip mens det var i luften.

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.