Aircraft

[Delmonico]

More on the airplane:

GRAND FORKS DAILY HERALD
Grand Forks, North Dakota, Thursday, July 13, 1911
GRAND FORKS
AVIATORS ARE
SUCCESSFUL

      Thomas McGoey of Grand Forks, in his Kenworthy-McGoey flying machine, made seven successful flights at the state fair gounds last evening, with about 100 enthusiastic spectators cheering the first successful flight made in a North Dakota machine by a North Dakota Man.
      Word had been passed about last evening that the flight was to be attempted and at 7 o'clock, with weather conditions ideal, the machine was wheeled out into the big open space at the fair grounds and "cranked up."
      Everything was in first class order, but McGeoy did not attempt to fly the first time down the field, being satified with merely "feeling her out" and getting his bearings. The second time the machine was started, however, he worked the elevator easily and the aeroplane gracefully rose to a height of about 40 feet and floated for about 100 yards. Then the local aviator see-sawed up and down and skimmed lightly over the surface, sometimes a few feet up, other times touching and then shooting to a height of 15 or 20 feet. When the end of the field was reached, the engine was stopped, the machine turned around and before the evening's practice was over seven successful flights had been made.
      The Kenworthy-McGoey mahcine now seems an assured success--at least last night's flights demonstrated beyond a doubt that the experimental stage was no more. It is only a question of a week or 10 days of practice, until Aviator McGeoy will be able to successfully turn around in mid-air and make all the turnings and writhings necessary to cover a swallow-like flight--all this, of courses, provided there is no accident, but this possibility seems as remote with McGeoy as with the average aviator, since his first attempt was far beyond the usual success of a beginner.
      The propeller on the local machine rotates 1200 times a minute, the engine that causes these revolutions having been especially made at Rochester, N. Y., for the aeroplane. A little incident last evening shows the terrible force the propeller cuts the air with. While going down the field on one of his flights a ruler dropped out of McGoey's pocket into the propellor. The ruler was cut into little two or three inch pieces and some of the spectators picked them up for 400 feet or more from the path of the aeroplane. As the successful ending of his first evening in the air, McGeoy turned the machine sideways in the air and landed over by the main building, where she was stored for the night. The flights in the future will be as private as possible to avoid the danger of accidents. With a large crowd at liberty on the grounds it is difficult to skim around and practice rurning, and probably many attempts will be made in the early hours of the morning or at unexpected, intervals during the day.
      Immediately upon seeing the immense success of the aeroplane, F. G. Kenworthy, who is financing the venture, wired to several points where contarcts have been pending and received word that the feature would gladly be contracted for at those cities. Due to the fact that the papers have not been signed as yet, the names are not ready for publication.
      Grand Forks people and North Dakotans in general will congratulate the local aviators, if their future successes are in proportion to the first evening of real North Dakota flying. The local venture has been watched by thousands with interest and the stick-to-it-iveness of the local men in the face of many reverses has been the subject of considerable favorable comment.

To Fly at Fair.
      The continued success of the local airship will mean an added attrraction at the Notgh Dakota State fair, beginning July 25. The local machine will be one of the features at this great exposition and will be the first North Dakota machine ever flown before a North Dakota audience with a North Dakota aviator.

[Delmonico]

Seems he gave up shortly after the picture was taken:

TOM M'GOEY RITES
TO BE HELD MONDAY
     Funeral services for Tom McGoey, 61 hears old, pioneer resident and Grand Fork's first aviator who died Thursday, will be Monday at 9 A.M. in St. Michaels Church with Rev. William McNamee officiating. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery.
     The body will lie in state at the Kasper Funeral Home from Friday evening to Saturday afternoon and at the home, 23 Fenton Avenue from Sunday afternoon until the funeral.
     Active pallbearers will be John K. Ness, J. J. Donley, J. J. Daly, James Lyons Sr., A. P. Stump and WIlliam Hogan. Honorary pallbearers will be William Trearmann, John Burton, William Colson, Willliam Alexander, Martin Colton, Dr. E. P. Robertson, Dr. C. L. Wallace, F. C. Gustafsson, Elmer Urrlauf, Lew Taylor, Charles Dow, Henry Hauges, C. F. Peterson, Peter Grady, Al Dunsmore, J. U. Zorkelbach and Howard Mosley.
     Mr. McGoey had been in the electrical business for 24 years, gracing Grand Forks with his presence on March 31, 1914. He was born in Toronto June 1, 1877.
     For three months in 1911, Mr. McGoey flew exhibitions from North Dakota to Michigan, attracting huge crowds everywhere. He built his plane, the first one here and made his first trip at the state fair grounds July 12, 1911. That trip was a 15-minute jaunt near the Bacon farm.
     With F. C. Kenworthy as his manager and Eugene Ester and Al Forsythe as mechanics, he flew before thrilled crowds at Thief River Falls, Little Falls, Sauk Center, Hillsboro, Langdon, Hibbing, Rochester, Superior and Duluth, and other cities.
     He crashed twice. The first time at the fair grounds here and the second time at Calumet, Mich. in the fall of 1911. He gave up flying then.
     Mr. McGoey was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Knights of Collumbus. His home was 23 Fenton Avenue.

[Delmonico]

The first aeroplane armed with a machine gun was a Wright Biplane flown by Lt. Thomas de Witte at College Park, Maryland on May 7, 1912. The gunner, who was armed with a Lewis gun, was Charles de Forest Chandler of the U. S. Army Signal Corps.

[Leo Tanner]

That is a great picture.  I'm surprised that that beast of a gun didn't lopside the plane.

[Texas Lawdog]

Leo, The Lewis isn't much heavier than a BAR or an M60, just bulky.

[Delmonico]

He don't appear to be using a water can, he better not shoot it to many times.

[Leo Tanner]

He don't appear to be using a water can, he better not shoot it to many times.

That was my next question.

[Delmonico]

That was my next question.

Maybe he drank a lot of coffee first.

[Stu Kettle]

He don't appear to be using a water can, he better not shoot it to many times.

He didn't need a water can.  The Lewis gun was air cooled.  That can that looks like a water jacket is really ductwork to channel cooling air kind of like the tin shrouds on an old VW engine.

[Leo Tanner]

He didn't need a water can.  The Lewis gun was air cooled.  That can that looks like a water jacket is really ductwork to channel cooling air kind of like the tin shrouds on an old VW engine.

Then I imagine it would do just fine in a moving aircraft.

[Texas Lawdog]

The WW1 planes that had rear facing gunners used the Lewis gun for added firepower.

[Stu Kettle]

& the wind direction wouldn't make much difference because chamber gas is vented in such a way as to draw air through the ductwork & over the cooling fins.

[Leo Tanner]

Went ta Wiki school an the article says they removed the shrouds when used on aircraft.  I was also surprised to see that it was still used in the Korean War.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_gun

[Texas Lawdog]

Those guns used the old standard 303 ammo. They used them in both World Wars and Korea.

[Stu Kettle]

Those guns used the old standard 303 ammo. They used them in both World Wars and Korea.

The American made ones were also chambered in .30-06.  That's the kind I want

[Steel Horse Bailey]

The Lewis gun normally fired from a magazine.  I don't know the round capacity (100 rnds. I think), but one of the mag's functions served to help the cooling.  Every mag change helped the barrel to cool effectively enough to keep firing 'thru numerous mag changes.  And - especially in the air, cooling wouldn't be much of a problem ... those old guns could probably run (shoot) all day and still put out a 300-350 RPM rate.


Like Stu, I'd LOVE to have a 30-06 version ... 'tho I'd happily buy .303 dies if all I could get was the original chambering!  I always wanted a full-auto ANYTHING, but the practicalities of procuring ammo on my budget makes that a dream only.  The best thing that happened to me was the Army ... it got me over the "full-auto itch!"  Now, basically all I see is dollar signs streaking downrange when I see some lucky stiff firing ANY "fast" gun, from a Gatling gun, Ma Deuce, or up to the M134D (the Dillon 7.62 modified GE minigun gatling-type gun so often seen on the boob tube.  Having fired over a million rounds - all paid for by my taxes (and yours too, thanks very much!) consisting of 45 ACP, 9mm Para, 7.62 NATO, & .50 BMG, I don't "itch" (much) many more.
 

What I'd really like to have is an M3A1 "Grease Gun."  They are a hoot and I could even (somewhat) afford to shoot one a couple times a year!  I wouldn't mind shooting an Uzi again, either.

[Texas Lawdog]

SHB, Shame on you for wasting all my tax money! I don't remember if I told you about making an alarm call to an Armory full of M3's.

[litl rooster]

Leo, The Lewis isn't much heavier than a BAR or an M60, just bulky.

Looks harder to reload

[Texas Lawdog]

The drum fits on  top of the receiver.

[Leo Tanner]

Jeff, a Thompson sub would be a good compromise.  38s are still fairly cheap (but the gun aint) so ya wouldn't feel so bad bout sprayin em.

[Delmonico]

Jeff, a Thompson sub would be a good compromise.  38s are still fairly cheap (but the gun aint) so ya wouldn't feel so bad bout sprayin em.

So what's 38's got to do with a Thompson, most were 45 acp, a few were 38 supers which is not cheap.

[Arcey]

Been stuck inside, had ta get out. Rode out ta Pungo.

The plane’s sittin’ out on the concrete at the main buildin’. Had I known I was gonna get that close (no plans to go in) I’d ah brought the camera. Also sittin’ out is a trimotor thingy with German markin’s. Ain’t either of ‘em gettin’ in the hangers ‘less they empty the other stuff out ‘n at that I don’t think they could close the doors. ‘N that’s if the vertical stabilizer’d fit.

But………..

Last time I was there was late June last year. Went in to the gift shop then left. Today I spied some stuff ‘bout a ¼ mile away down a freshly paved road. Weren’t no barriers so I rode back. It’s the new Fighter Factory where they rebuild stuff. I knew they wanted out of the one they have in Suffolk. There’s a small hanger ‘n a larger one off ta the side. All still under construction. May be where they plan to store the B17. Memory may be off but it seems more land’s been cleared ‘cross from the main buildin’.

Anyways, got plans ta do a ride by with Tom later in the week. Cuz, I sure hope we can go with a little time ta spend gawkin’.

[Major E A Sterner]

Check this out


http://marcbrecy.perso.neuf.fr/Oshkosh.html

[Steel Horse Bailey]

SHB, Shame on you for wasting all my tax money! I don't remember if I told you about making an alarm call to an Armory full of M3's.

Jimmy, I didn't WASTE any rounds or tax dollars.  They made me a better shooter ('tho it'd be hard to tell THAT today) and I enjoyed shooting ALL of them.


 

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Arcey, How did that fire at the NAS come out? They said they thought it was an empty storage building..........Buck